Local groups
Autism East Midlands – groups for children and teenagers
Autism East Midlands (AEM) has been supporting autistic people and their families since 1968.
Formed by a small group of parents in Nottingham, the charity now provides support to autistic people and their families, across the East Midlands region – including, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland – plus Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.
They offer a range of services at a range of costs.
They run a number of family support hubs around the region – including some in Leicestershire and in Leicester City.
Some of these hubs run children’s groups and there are also some ‘teen support hubs’ for over 11’s. Children do not need a formal autism diagnosis to access these. There are various ‘family support hubs’ around the East Midlands including areas of Leicestershire and Leicester City.
Follow this link for more information about the family support hubs
https://www.autismeastmidlands.org.uk/child-services/family-support-hubs
Autism East Midlands run some online courses, covering subjects such as autism awareness, autism in the workplace, autism in women and girls, autism and mental health.
Corporate training packages are also available.
For details of courses, click here
For information about other services provided by Autism East Midlands, click this link:
Or call this number: 01909 506 678
Autistic women and girls social and support group
A group for autistic women, girls and non-binary people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to ask questions, share experiences and form friendships. Click here to go to the facebook group.
Charnwood Autism Support Group (formerly Loughborough ASD Group)
This group is a small friendly group who meet for tea and coffee, a chat and to hear various speakers.
Meetings are on the last Monday of the month at 7.30pm
Location: John Storer House, Wards End, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3HA
For more details, contact Evelyn Halsall on 0116 291 6958 or via email: charnwood.cas@gmail.com
Family Hubs Leicestershire – A range of support and social sessions for everyone
There are many and varied events and clubs – for a range of different people such as parents, grandparents, adults, children, women only, men only. Some events are specifically for autistic children and young people.
Click the following link to find out what groups are running and any events that are planned in your area by Leicestershire County Council’s Family Hubs.
Leicestershire Autistic Society
The Leicestershire Autistic Society (LAS) provides information, advice and support to autistic people and their families – in Leicester city, Leicestershire county and Rutland.
It is a volunteer led organisation, where the vast majority of the volunteers are parents or carers of an autistic person. It has been established for over 20 years.
The LAS aims to raise awareness and acceptance of autism and to provide autism-friendly activities and support for families – including some regular groups.
Who is it for?
The Leicestershire Autistic Society is open to autistic children, young people and adults, family members and professionals.
It has no eligibility criteria. It is for anyone living in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland who wants information or advice about autism.
Cost?
The annual membership Fee £5.00 –
Members have priority access to leisure activities, conferences and workshops.
Contact details
To find out the most up to date information about the Leicestershire Autistic Society you can email them here: Leicestershireautisticsociety@gmail.com
Website and Social Media
You can also find out more by viewing their social media pages
Website – click here: Leicestershire Autistic Society
private Facebook group – click here: Leicester Autistic Society Facebook Group
To join the private Facebook group, you will need to answer the following 3 questions:
- Are you the parent or carer of an autistic person?
- Are you an autistic person?
- Do you live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland?
Market Harborough – social group for autistic adults
This group meets every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month; from 19:00-21:00 – at the Cube, Symington’s Recreation Ground, 75 St Mary’s Rd, Market Harborough LE16 7DS
They charge an annual subscription fee of £5 and a £2 cost per session – to contribute to venue hire and hot drinks
It is suitable for autistic people with low support needs and is a safe place for them to meet and socialise.
It is flexible in that for every session, members may do what activities they like – such as board games or simply chatting.
However each session also offers structured activities – such as a quizzes, arts and crafts, cooking.
There are drinks and some snacks to purchase
It is currently supported by Leicestershire Autistic Society
The Monday Club
The Monday Club is a social group for adults who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger syndrome.
They support members by providing opportunities to socialise, build friendships, take part in social activities, access the wider community and develop their individual potential.
They aim to create a supportive environment for members to meet, either in a mainstream setting or in the community, with trained staff and volunteers available to offer support, where necessary.
The Monday Club also provides brief respite for parents and partners of autistic people.
Who is it for?
The Monday Club is open to people aged 18 and over, living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who have a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome.
Please note – they have a small staff team and cannot provide one to one support for anyone who has additional support needs.
Referral process
Anyone can make a referral to The Monday Club.
If you are referring someone else, you must have their permission.
You can contact the Monday Club by email, or by telephone.
The Monday club organisers prefer email, if possible.
They aim to reply to enquires within a week.
Anyone newly referred will be invited to a meeting to discuss their membership and what the group can offer them.
The person will be given some membership forms to complete.
Once the forms are completed and returned the person will then be invited to officially join the group.
Once a person has joined, their membership will remain in place until they request to leave.
Activities
The Monday Club plans a timetable every 10 weeks.
You can see this on their website.
There are regular social skills workshops – one per 10 week block.
Cost
The club costs £2.00 per session.
Sometimes there are additional charges for activities.
Contact details
Phone Number- 07873 311610
Email- themondayclub@hotmail.co.uk
Website- The Monday Club
Mosaic 1898 autism advocacy group
Mosaic 1898 is a Leicestershire charity, working to provide life-enhancing services, care and opportunities for disabled people (and all those supporting them), promoting inclusion, equality, independence, choice, empowerment, respect and dignity for all.
Click here to view the Mosaic website
Mosaic have set up a number of advocacy groups, including one for autistic people, which is run by and for autistic people. This autism advocacy group aims to provide autistic people with the opportunity to share their views about any concerns about services they may have – plus share their ideas for change.
Click here to find out more about the Mosaic autism advocacy group
NeuroQueer group – for those who identify as both LGBTQI+ and neurodivergent
Click here to see the NeuroQueer poster
NeuroQueer is a group run for and by people who identify as LGBTQ+ and who are neurodivergent (whether formally diagnosed or not)
They are a peer-led social and support group that aims to offer a balance of structured activities and discussion, with opportunities to informally socialise.
NeuroQueer is open to anyone aged 16+ who lives in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland who is LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent (including people who self-identify or are exploring whether a formal diagnosis might be useful to them).
The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, from 6-8pm, at Trade’s Sexual Health’s office at 27 Bowling Green Street, Leicester LE1 6AS.
It is free to attend. Just turn up to the meeting. However, if you want to find out what to expect, email info@tradesexualhealth.com for more information
For more information about Trade Sexual Health, visit their website:
Take a look at their social media accounts:
Instagram: @wearetradehealth
BlueSky: @wearetradehealth.bsky.social
or call: 0116 254 1747
Out and about meet up group for young adults
This is a group for young adults with disabilities and / or who are neurodivergent (ie are autistic or who have ADHD, tics/Tourettes, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc)
It aims to help them socialise with each other in safe community settings.
It is for people aged 25+ – with learning disabilities and / or who are neurodivergent.
Previous meet ups have been at Gallowtree Gate, Leicester LE1 1DA
We often post information about upcoming meets ups on our events page. Please click here to check
You will need to provide your own transport
For information about future meet ups, please contact:
Soft Touch Arts - music sessions
Soft Touch Arts is a Leicester based arts education charity, who run a variety of projects for young people. These projects aim to improve the lives of those who may otherwise struggle to access services and activities.
Creative Studio is an alternative education scheme run by Soft Touch Arts – and funded by schools and local authorities.
It is a tailor-made specialist alternative arts programme for young people who need extra support and don’t fit into a traditional educational setting. The service specialises in working with young people who need extra support, including those who are autistic.
Soft Touch run regular evening music sessions led by instrumentalists, producers and contemporary musicians.
Click here for more information about the music sessions
Soft Touch have a constantly evolving range of projects on the go – for more information click here to go to their website.
Local groups for parents and carers
Revive Coalville - for anyone raising a child or supporting an adult with additional needs
A café style support hub in Coalville
Resources available to borrow for free
– mini sensory shop
– free goody bags
– equipment and resources available
– no diagnosis needed
– help to navigate and understand the education system
Contact Laura for more information
Phone: 07487543584
Email: reviveforyou@gmail.com
Spectrum-Market Harborough - support group for parents and carers of autistic children and adults in South Leicestershire
Spectrum-MH is a support group for parents and carers of autistic children and adults in South Leicestershire.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month during term time at 7.30pm.
Location: Congregational Church, High St, Market Harborough
Contact: 07745 891834, email spectrumautismgroup@yahoo.com or join their Facebook group.
National groups
The GROVE - online social groups for autistic young people
The GROVE – is an entirely autistic staffed organisation supporting autistic young people through online mentoring and peer groups – and more
Their groups:
- they run online
- they are just for fun – and themed on shared interests, so that autistic young people have the chance to connect with like- minded peers
- they are very small (4-8 young people)
- everyone is autistic including the mentors
- they run weekly and are on-going for a real sense of belonging and routine
- the mentors are fairly paid for their work so the groups are not free but there are discounts for parents who are self-funding (as opposed to receiving funding from the Local Authority etc) and they offer at least one ‘Pay What You Can Space’ per group as well
- the GROVE promotes a neuro-affirming approach
Full information about the Grove can be found here: