ASD Family Help: offers support, advice and activities for individuals on the autistic spectrum and/or other learning disabilities

ASD Family Help

We are a 'User Led' independent and voluntary group that offers support, advice and activities for individuals on the autistic spectrum and/or other learning disabilities, their parents, carers or professionals within Wokingham & West Berkshire.

We have family liaison workers who can offer free advice, support and help with DLA/PIP/ESA forms.

We aim to help improve services for children and adults with ASD, their parents, carers & professionals, through raising awareness of ASD by providing (subject to funding):

  • Support to parents/carers through regular drop in sessions and coffee mornings 
  • Free advice and information through email, face-to-face and our website 
  • Social activities for autistic children and young people 
  • Social activities for autistic adults 
  • Social activities for families 
  • Training across the Borough
  • Life and relationships skills for teens
  • Employability training for autistic adults
  • Employment to autistic adults
  • Social activities to include siblings and young carers

Our events are open to all affected by autism or associated conditions (eg. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD, Anxiety, PDA, ADHD etc)

Some events are age specific and some must be booked in advance.  Please see individual events for full details.

NB: For most child sessions we are unable to book new children onto a session, without them first attending a sign up session with a parent.  This allows the child to meet some of our staff, see one of our venues and assess whether we are able to meet your child's needs.  The sign up sessions take place ONCE a month. (For more information about our sign up sessions, please look at our Family Fun Session activity).

For family or child/teen sessions, please contact Rachael@asdfamilyhelp.org

For adult support or sessions, please contact Jayne@asdfamilyhelp.org

For DLA/PIP support appointments, please contact Naomi@asdfamilyhelp.org 

Contact information

Website
ASD Family Help
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Contact Name
Rachael Chandler or Jayne McGovern
Contact Position
Children & Families Manager and Adult Support Manager
Telephone
07733 601755 07733 601755
E-mail
jayne@asdfamilyhelp.org
rachael@asdfamilyhelp.org
Social Media

Location

Address
Wokingham & West Berkshire
Postcode
RG41
View RG41 on a map
Notes

We use a variety of venues across Wokingham & West Berkshire and ensure that all venues we book are wheelchair accessible. 

When is it On/Open ?

Date & Time Information

We run a variety of actitivties, sessions, training and one to one support.

Please refer to our individual event listings for details or contact our staff for enquiries.

Costs and Fee Information

Help with funding is available
Funding Notes

This year we are grateful to receive funding from:

  • BBC Children in Need
  • Wokingham Borough Council
  • Berkshire Community Foundation
  • Wokingham United Charities
  • The Blagrave Trust
  • West Berkshire Council 
  • Lottery Community Fund

This funding allows us to make every activity affordable or in some cases free to our families.

How is the service funded
Local Authority
Voluntary/Charitable

Facilities and Accessibility

Facilities
FREE Activities
FREE Service
Autism friendly

Complaints Procedure

Contact Name
Cathy Roberts
Position
Manager
Complaints procedure notes

If your complaint is regarding any children or family activity please email Rachael@asdfamilyhelp.org

If your complaint is regarding the parent drop in session, adult activities or family support, please email Jayne@asdfamilyhelp.org

You may also email Cathy@asdfamilyhelp.org

Accessing this service

Age Ranges
All ages
Eligibility Criteria

We do NOT require you to have a formal diagnosis or a referral to access our services/activities.

Our events are open to all autistic individuals or those with associated conditions (eg. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD, Anxiety, PDA, ADHD etc)

Booking / Registration Required
Yes
Booking and Registration Notes

Booking required for child sessions via Rachael@asdfamilyhelp.org

Booking required for adult sessions via Jayne@asdfamilyhelp.org

Booking required for DLA/PIP support appointments via Naomi@asdfamilyhelp.org 

We also run drop-in sessions that do not require booking - please look at our other activity listings for full details.

 

Referral

Referral not required

Provision For

Supporting people with
Children with Additional Needs
Behavioural
Autism Spectrum Conditions
Social Needs

Quality Assurance

Registered Charity No.
1135718
Accreditation

All staff and volunteers at sessions receive in-house training from ASD Family Help regarding autism awareness and safeguarding.

All staff and volunteers at sessions have enhanced DBS checks.

ASD Family Help holds its own public liability insurance.

At activities where staff are solely responsible for children, at least one member of staff will hold a paediatric first aid certificate.

Local Offer

Local Offer - Support available for children and young people with additional needs

Description

We provide a variety of activities for children and young people with additional needs. 

Currently we provide the following:

  • Teen Club for young people aged 12 - 18 years (monthly)
  • Martial Arts (weekly)
  • Teen Life courses for young people (usually once per year)
  • Family craft sessions (once per half-term)
  • Adult social group for autistic adults over 18 years old (once per month)
Contact Name
Rachael Chandler
Contact Email
rachael@asdfamilyhelp.org

Last Update

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