Autism Friendly Groups

Local Groups

We aim not to duplicate information that is already available but provide a simple way to access the information relative to autism only. This list includes the groups that we know are open to autistic people with or without a learning disability. Any group requirements, such as age and diagnosis, are included with the group information.

Local Offer

The local offer is a central government requirement for each county council to deliver. It is a website with details of services available to children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs.

Local Offer Service List

Outdoor Tribe
Pathways to Wellbeing

They also offer Family SEN Sessions - Click HERE to go to their website

NAS Northants Parent
Support Group

Flyer

High Five

Facebook support group with monthly meetings for parents. A range of subsidised family outings occurs in the school holidays, such as the zoo, space centre, Jungle parc, etc.

These day trips provide an excellent opportunity for families to experience a whole day out know others are around them who get it and therefore remove some of the barriers.

Facebook Group

Spectrum Club

A great online parent peer-support group with a wealth of expertise and knowledge. Private hire sessions in the holidays at soft play, cinema, and swimming provide families with an excellent opportunity to mix.

Facebook Group

Free Rangers

Requirements: Disabled and special needs children 5-17
Location: Kettering and Corby

Free Rangers short breaks service offering Saturday and holiday club provision for young people with disabilities. Based on a community allotment, including crafts, feeding the rabbits, chickens, gardening, and baking. The main service runs from Kettering, but there is a satellite project in Corby.

Green Patch WebsiteLocal Offer: Kettering Free RangersLocal Offer: Corby Free Rangers

Autism East Midlands

Children and young people aged 8+

AEM has various youth clubs and holiday activities.  Costs vary depending on the level of funding they have managed to source. Activities range from centre-based youth club style to virtual activities, through to days out where the young people can go out for the day independently of their family.

Autism East Midlands Website

ASDiversity Corby

Location: Corby

A social and wellbeing group for young people and adults with autism and/or any other related conditions. It provides a safe and secure environment to play games, do some art, chat etc. A diagnosis is not needed to attend.

Facebook Group

Picture the Difference

Young people and adults with additional needs aged 16+
Location: Kettering

A community arts project for those with additional needs, based in Kettering offering high quality arts experiences, with the aim for participants to share their learnt skills through community performance. The work helps to develop confidence, social-emotional and communication skills.

Picture the Difference website

Action for Children - Short Break Service

Parents/carers and families with a disabled child(ren) aged 5-18

Providing a safe, fun and consistent environment for children and young people to be themselves regardless of their additional needs. Saturday clubs, youth clubs and holiday clubs provided as part of the short break service at various county venues.

Action for Children website

Young Inclusive People Club (YIP)

Young people with a disability aged 8-24
Location: Rushden

YIP is for young people with a disability, and takes place on a Tuesday evening at the Pemberton Centre in Rushden. On offer is a variety of sports, recreational and cultural activities. Siblings are welcome to attend. Carers/parents also have an opportunity to meet up whilst young people have fun.

Facebook Group

Youth Works SEN Group

Location: Kettering

A social group for young people aged 11 to 14 with autism, ADHD or Asperger's.

Youth Works Website

Peak Empower

Location: Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes

A range of social groups and home education SEN sessions

Peak Empower Website

Disability Football Club

Location: Northamptonshire

Disability Football Website

Olympus Hub Youth Club

Age 12 - 25
Location: Northampton

These relaxed clubs are a place where you can chill out, make new friends and get support for anything you finding challenging in life

Olympus Hub Youth Club Website

Outdoor Tribe

Location: Northampton

SEN family sessions/forest school activities

Outdoor Tribe Website

DISC - Disability Inclusive Sports Club

Location: Towcester centre for Leisure

An inclusive sports clubs run by parents and carers of people with disabilities.

DISC on Facebook

Home Grown Care Farm

Location: Spratton

Our Living & Learning Daycare Farm is available to anyone wishing to access a quiet, safe place to discover therapy and/or education through friendly animals on a working farm setting.  
Our farming family clients all help run the farm on a day-to-day basis, from therapy to learning & studying Asdan courses.
In addition, our summer camps or small group visits are also available to all.
Leaflet

Home Grown Care Farm Website

Daventry Social Club

Daventry Social Club is a social club for those aged 15 - 29. The club is designed to be accessible for those with social difficulties and anxiety; we do this by hosting structured sessions with structured activities to take the focus away from conversations. We also have small numbers (limit of 20 people) and encourage individuals to bring a friend or family member to get settled in.  
We meet fortnightly, on a Friday, 7pm-9pm for a board game night at the New Street Centre in Daventry. We sometimes vary this depending on current events (for example, Halloween/Christmas baking) and arrange outings such as bowling.
Our next session is on 1st October and the next 2 weeks later and so on.  

We post all of our events and updates on our Facebook page or individuals can email us for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/DaventrySocialClub

Have we missed anything?

We are short on information for groups for autistic people over the age of 25 WITHOUT a learning disability. When contributing group information, please specify if any there are any requirements needed for a person to attend.

Get In Touch

These local employment services help autistic people with employment, whether supporting them into work experience, job building skills or job application support.

This list is not complete, and we would love to hear from you as to groups you run or attend that offer an ideal space for those with autism to meet or have new experiences in Northamptonshire.

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Disclaimer: En-Fold does not endorse treatments, interventions and therapies but lists them so people can make informed choice. This site is for information purposes only and is a starting point for readers to look into options that may fit or resonate. Remember, therapies for autism, like any condition, should be discussed with a trusted medical practitioner or certified therapist before use. All information, data and material contained, presented or provided here is for general information purposes only and is not to be construed as reflecting the knowledge or opinions of En-Fold, or as providing legal or medical advice. All treatment decisions should be made by the individual in consultation with a health care provider. Case studies provided are done so in good faith, and based on the personal experience of the individual submitting them. En-Fold are in no way endorsing the establishments that are mentioned but offering peer reviews to inform readers.