Autism Jersey and the government have collaborated to ensure people with neurodivergence feel 'genuinely' welcome in our community.

A new three-year strategy will be created to make Jersey more inclusive.

The strategy will be built using ideas from islanders and stakeholders.

There are two main approaches, an online survey and workshops, allowing people to voice their opinions.

In-person workshops will be held in:

• St Clement's Parish Hall - Saturday 24 August: 11:00am to 2:00pm;
• Communicare Centre, St Brelade - Saturday 31 August: 10:00am to 1:00pm;
• Town Hall, St Helier - Saturday 7 September: 11:00am to 2:00pm;
• St Ouen's Parish Hall - Saturday 14 September: 11:00am to 2:00pm.

Lesley Harrison from Autism Jersey hopes people will get involved to help make change happen.

"The intention is to create a strategy which will identify what the key objectives are in terms of where the need is, where the gaps are and what actions and support can be put in place.

"It's all well and good to have a strategy, but we need to have an action plan that's going to not only identify what the objectives are, but when they're going to be delivered and implemented."

The strategy will focus on identifying issues within the community to create short, medium, and long-term goals.

Lesley Harrison says survey responses will highlight common themes.

"That might range from housing, education, the criminal justice system..

"The really important thing is to drill down and understand the big issues, what can be done immediately, the short, medium, and long-term goals.

"We know that, like with any strategy, we're going to be able to identify what those quick wins are that will have little or no cost implications."

The surveys are open until 20 September.