Music is the one place I’ve always made sense of the world.

Hello, my name’s Jess. I’m an independent musician from the UK.

I’m autistic — something I was born with — but I wasn’t officially diagnosed until I was 12, after years of struggling at school with challenges that weren’t recognised or understood at the time.

Autism isn’t always visible, and in my case there’s no outward sign — but it affects how I experience the world, especially in social situations and in the workplace.

I can take instructions very literally, which has often led to misunderstandings with colleagues and managers. Things that seem straightforward to others can feel confusing or unclear to me, and that can quickly turn into frustration on both sides. Over time, this has led to disciplinary situations, anxiety, and periods where I’ve had to completely withdraw and shut down.

It’s been a repeating cycle — trying to make things work, burning out, and losing jobs — not because I don’t care, but because I struggle in environments that aren’t built with people like me in mind.

There’s growing awareness now, helped by programmes like Inside Our Autistic Minds presented by Chris Packham — but for many people, including me, those challenges are still part of everyday life.

Music has become the one constant.

It’s how I process things, how I connect, and how I create stability in a world that can feel overwhelming.

There have been moments where other musicians have given their time and energy to play alongside me, simply because they connected with my music.

That kind of support has meant more to me than I can put into words — and it’s a big part of why I’m still going.

Right now, I’m trying to build a life around music — one where I can keep creating, travelling, and sharing it in a way that actually works for me.

I’m raising funds to support:

Travel (fuel, camping, and basic living while on the road)

Continuing to write and record original music

Essential gear, maintenance, and upgrades needed to keep going

This isn’t about chasing fame — it’s about building a sustainable way to live, create, and move forward without constantly falling back into the same cycle.

Any support, no matter how small, genuinely helps me keep going. And if you’re not able to donate, simply sharing this means a lot.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting independent music.

— Jess