I am a service user at Number 6 OSS and am hugely worried about the recent news that City of Edinburgh Council has proposed to cut all funding to Number 6. This service is a crucial lifeline for thousands of Autistic people in Edinburgh and the Borders now under threat of closure due to the proposed cuts. This would cause a huge void for myself and so many and would result in GP surgeries or other support services being overwhelmed by those needing support. If City of Edinburgh Council is looking to save money this is not the way, the thousands that use the service would see their mental health suffer drastically and would desperately seek support from the NHS or other services that are already struggling and facing cuts themselves. A study from Edinburgh University found that 66% of Autistic adults without a learning disability have considerd suicide at some point in their lives. Number 6 also had taken on a large part of Autism diagnosis which relieved pressure on the NHS but have had to stop due to previous funding cuts, if Number 6 were properly funded they could help bring down waiting lists which are far too long. Please sign and share this petition and even contact MPs/MSPS and say No to Edinburgh City Council cutting funding for Number 6.

Thank you