In her first blog in a new occasional series writing for Brandon, Lauren Cook describes her experience of being diagnosed with autism as a teenager and the challenges she has overcome to build an independent life.

According to a scientific report from Nature journal, spending as little as two hours a week in an outdoor space can significantly boost health and wellbeing, improve mood, and is known to suppress the stress hormone, cortisol, helping to improve anxiety and depression.

Most of us recognise that at some point we will need to use the health service and as a nation, we value the fact that the NHS is there for us all. However, with significant demographic changes in the population, more of us, or those close to us, will also need the social care system at some point in our lives too.

A team of cyclists from Vanguard Self Storage in Bristol are taking on a 100-mile cycle challenge in support of Brandon.

On Sunday 11 June, Brandon’s social enterprise, Elm Tree Farm, will be opening its gates and welcoming members of the public on Open Farm Sunday – the national farming industry open event run by Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF).

Low pay is an issue for all social care providers – we all know support workers are not paid enough for the invaluable work that they do. Brandon is committed to being a voice for change. Our Interim CEO, Helen England, is ensuring Brandon is campaigning for change alongside other social care providers.