Below are lists of local groups that Worcestershire parents have found helpful. Please note this information is provided for sign-posting purposes only, the groups are run by outside providers, organisations and charities and not provided by us. While we attempt to ensure all information here is accurate, we cannot accept any responsibility for third party websites. Their inclusion here is for your information only and does not represent endorsement or recommendation by the council.
We have included links and information which parent carers and other professionals have made us aware of, if you know of any other information and websites, that you have found particularly helpful, please email the information to Localoffer@worcestershire.gov.uk.
Local support organisations
On the Local Offer there is a directory of Support groups for parents and carers, some of which are aimed at parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire SENDIASS have a dedicated team of advisors offering legally based and easily accessible information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They offer support for parents, carers, children and young people with SEND and our service is impartial and confidential.
Local groups families find useful
Autism
Autism West Midlands are the leading charity in the West Midlands for people on the autism spectrum. They use their expertise to enrich the lives of autistic people and those who love and care for them. Staff and volunteers work across all age groups and abilities, providing direct support.
Autism Central Hub offer guidance to families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people, including groups and one-to-one sessions. They are commissioned by NHS England and in the Midlands, the charities Contact & Ambitious about Autism run Autism Central’s programmes.
Autism Kids Worcestershire - a closed Facebook group. A friendly and welcoming group for parents and carers of children with Autism spectrum disorders that live within Worcestershire.
Dizz Kidz - a group for children with dyspraxia/DCD. Sports club for dyspraxia and autism (5 to 18 years)
Key2Confidence - Autism/ADHD Mentoring and Support for children and young people - Peer Mentoring and personalised support for neurodivergent children, young people and young adults (18 to 25). Neurodivergent Peer Support Youth Club with groups for 10 to 13 years, 14 to 17 years and 18 to 25 years, with low support needs.
Own Time and Space - Facebook page support group for parent carers run at Pear Tree Family Hub during term-time. Check Facebook page or Pear Tree Family Hub Facebook for details.
The Unstoppables Youth Group - Autism friendly youth group for 12 to 17 year olds which runs at The Hub Bromsgrove | Facebook.
Malvern
Sky Autism (Malvern (10 to 17 youth group, 18+ Group). A local charity based in Malvern which aims to help Autistic people and their families offering social groups and support.
Malvern Special Families – a specialist provider of safe, stimulating, and fun social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities aged 5 to 18 years.
Aspie - ASPIE is a social, support and therapy group for adults with Asperger’s/autism (aspies). They provide a centre in Worcester where aspies feel welcome and accepted.
Monday Nite Club – a social club for adults with a learning disability and autistic people.
The Thursday Nite Club - a social club for adults 18+ with a learning disability and autistic people
Worcester Disability Football Club – Worcester (5 to 17, 18+) – Worcester Disability Football Club provides opportunities for all those with special needs in Worcestershire to play football.
Autistica is a charity which funds and campaigns for research to understand the causes of autism, improve diagnosis, and develop evidence-based tools, resources and information.
Child Autism UK is a charity which aims to help children with autism achieve their potential. They provide services to enable children to overcome difficulties with communication, learning and life skills and give families the techniques and strategies to cope with autism through the use of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
Hft Family Carer Support Service (FCSS) is a free information and support service for family carers with an autistic relative or a relative with a learning disability. To access their service, the family carers relative must be aged 16 years or older and living in England.
Ambitious about Autism is a national charity that stands with autistic children and young people, champions their rights and creates opportunities. They also deliver training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations to improve awareness and understanding of autism.
National Autistic Society provide advice and guidance about autism and the challenges autistic people and their families face.
ADHD
The ADHD Foundation is a leading UK neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for the 1 in 5 of us who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, DCD, Dyscalculia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome and more.
The UK ADHD Partnership recognises ADHD as a complex but manageable condition, which can have a profound impact on individuals, families and society. They aim to support clinicians and allied professionals to identify and meet the needs of children and young people affected by this disorder.
Dyscalculia
The ADHD Foundation is a leading UK neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for the 1 in 5 of us who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, DCD, Dyscalculia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome and more.
The charity Contacthas information about dyscalculia on its website.
Dyslexia
The ADHD Foundation is a leading UK neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for the 1 in 5 of us who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, DCD, Dyscalculia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome and more.
The British Dyslexia Association is a charity which also offers advice and support to families with a child or young person with dyslexia.
Dyspraxia
The ADHD Foundation is a leading UK neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for the 1 in 5 of us who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, DCD, Dyscalculia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome and more.
Neurodivergent
Action for Children - Understanding additional needs is a charity which has a website dedicated to supporting parents. They have a section where you can learn about different types of additional needs and disabilities in children. Read about autism, ADHD and executive functioning disorder.
The ADHD Foundation is a leading UK neurodiversity charity, offering a strength-based, lifespan service for the 1 in 5 of us who live with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, DCD, Dyscalculia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome and more.
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