We are very aware that funding for services provided in the voluntary sector is undergoing a massive change now. Umbrella is interested in forming partnerships with other statutory and voluntary organisations or groups. These partnerships can then seek funding from a wider range of sources for specific projects.

We welcome inquiries from other organisations about how we could undertake partnership projects and co-ordinate our funding efforts for such projects.

A partnership with Crossroads for Carers which has resulted in a successful and popular Satursday Playscheme for 4-11 year olds, The Sunshine Club.

Partnerships with first Cambridge Community Education Special Needs and then with Turning the Red Lights Green have resulted in the design, funding and delivery of a full time specialised education programme for adults from age 16+-75 and upwards who have Asperger Syndrome or a similar social communication difficulties.

A partnership with Romsey Mill in Cambridge has made our 9-12 and 13-18 youth clubs possible.

Developing relationships within Cambridge University has made possible our Umbrella Volunteers Programme for members of the University which benefits our various activities (especially the youth groups) and gives invaluable real life experience to interested members of the University, both graduates and undergraduates.

We are active members of various multi-agency service groups to ensure the actual views of affected people and their families are sought and taken into account when services are designed, planned, and evaluated. We are working to encourage service providers or other professionals to actively find out the needs of the autism community, through direct links and consultation, rather than to just assume they know what autism community needs and preferences.