Type of service: Play and leisure, Respite and short breaks, Local groups, Social groups, Social skills

Service URL: http://www.cheshireautism.org.uk

ChAPS aims to support families with autism whether diagnosed or not, living in Cheshire.

For children we run a range of regular activities on a monthly basis. These include kids clubs, youth clubs, swimming, animal therapy and trampolining. We also put on extra holiday activities such as tubing, circus skills workshops, cinema visits, adventure activities and lots more!

For adults we run a weekly social group, Spectrum Connect, in Northwich and Winsford as well as regular nature walks, a craft club and ad hoc social events as well as a weekly mental health virtual session. Adults are also able to access the ChAPS counselling service. 

For parents we have regular daytime and evening parent support meetings which give participants the opportunity to talk to others that may be experiencing the same challenges that they are. Our Support Workers are also on hand to offer guidance, advice and to signpost to other services that may also be able to support. Parents are also able to access the ChAPS counselling service.
 
Adult support offer in Halton and Warrington – we have been commissioned to provide support for autistic adults living in Halton and Warrington and involves us running social groups, mental health groups and sessions and courses to improve social skills and life skills. Clients must be over 18, have a recent diagnosis of autism and be registered with a GP in either Halton or Warrington. 

Parent Training in Cheshire  - we have been commissioned to deliver parent training to parents of children who are either on the pathway or who are recently diagnosed. The initial general 6 week course is followed by separate courses on specific subjects such as sensory processing, masking and sleep. 

ChAPS provide a counselling service for members and their families over 18 years of age, through both volunteer and placement counsellors, all of whom receive autism training and regular peer supervisions from our highly qualified person-centred counsellor.

We run the Attention Card with Cheshire Constabulary and Merseyside Police for anyone with a medical diagnosis of autism; this is a highly positive initiative, potentially giving support in emergency situations.  As an optional extra, the cardholder can choose to provide information regarding their difficulties; this information is then put onto the police’s intelligence system. 
 

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Adult sibling, Child , Child/adolescent sibling, Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of a young person, Parent/carer of an adult, Partner, Young person

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific