Autistic Community of Cornwall Directors:
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All of our ACC directors are Autistic and professionally involved in a number of Autism related services and initiative projects and are DBS checked.
Ian Hutchinson ACC Director, Clinical Advisor and Navigator Lead
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Ian is Autistic and a proud member of the neurodivergent community - advocating for understanding and acceptance based upon the concept of difference.
Due to the challenges of living in a predominantly non Autistic world and a number of life long physical conditions including a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, he is registered as disabled.
Prior to his retirement from the NHS in 2024 he had a 45 year career in the health and social care sector and held various clinical and strategic positions. Ian has extensive experience of supporting other Autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities and mental health issues to achieve positive outcomes and live better lives.
As a lead diagnostician within the Cornwall NHS Adult Autism Assessment Team (his final NHS role) he held accreditation to carry out ADOS2 assessment in relation to Autism diagnosis.
Like many Autistic people Ian always struggled with conventional employment and finds that working on a voluntary basis for the ACC and when needed Youth Art Connect is far less stressful and challenging. As an ACC Director and the organisations clinical advisor he is supportive of our kin in Transparent Presence CIC and Cornwall Pride. There is significant overlap between our communities.
Ian is a founding member of the Autistic Community of Cornwall CIC. He leads on Autism screening and peer support initiatives.
He also acts as the clinical advisor for Youth Art Connect, a non profit making organisation that runs therapeutic art activities for children and young people in Cornwall.
His professional qualifications include:
Registered Nurse - Learning Disabilities (RNLD)
PG Cert Autism (Masters) - Sheffield Hallam University
PG Dip HE (Nursing) - London South Bank University
PG Cert Professional Studies (Social Work) - Reading University
Cert Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - Institute of Counselling, Glasgow
Further & Adult Education Teaching Certificate - Thames Valley University
Training for Trainers Certificate in Child Protection - NSPCC
Marie Ralph BCA ACC Director
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Awarded a British Citizen Award in 2023.
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Marie has been active for many years in the Neurodivergent community providing support, advice and advocacy to young people, adults and families. Her primary focus has been on holding local services to account and promoting non discriminatory practice on the part of organisations, services and local communities.
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She is the chair of Tourette's Action Cornwall and a founding member and Director of Youth Art Connect.
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She has a particular interest in how the educational needs of young Autistic people are met and provides bespoke Autism training as an independent Autistic expert by experience.
Tigger Pritchard ACC Director
National Award winner BAPs 2022.
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Tigger is well known within the Autism networks of Cornwall, across the UK and Internationally. For many years Tigger has been working within the Autistic community to promote better acceptance and understanding of Autism.
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He is involved with several innovative organisations that are aligned with the neurodivergent movement that advocates for understanding based upon difference and not dysfunction.
Through his own independent consultancy, he provides Autism related training, advocacy, as well as commissioned work with individuals and families. He is also an avid campaigner for neurodivergent rights and acceptance.
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As well as all things Autistic, he is also involved in the world and passionate about PDA. (Pathological Demand Avoidance)
Tigger has developed an excellent free website with links to information and other useful resources around Autism and Neurodivergency in general. He be also be found Podcasting, on Facebook lives and YouTube
Committee Members
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We also have a core group of committee members from various backgrounds.
Origins and Support
Our original meeting of three Neurodivergent minds, back in late 2022, over crackers, tea and coffee, the ACC was born.
The ACC directors and the cheque from the National Lottery Community Fund.
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