Type of service: Local groups, Play and leisure

Website: http://www.space4autism.com

SPACE4AUTISM is run by parents/carers for a place to meet people in the same position as themselves, to share experiences and knowledge. The group is relaxed and friendly; it is open to all carers of people with autism spectrum condition (ASC) who feel that meeting others would help them. SPACE4AUTISM hold monthly meetings at the above address on the third Monday of every month.

We hold small presentations and lively focused discussions; occasional larger talks with well-known external speakers on relevant topics; family activities; all with some fun thrown in for good measure! Subjects have included education, special educational needs (SEN) statements, social skills, support for caring, speech development, behaviour, but basically you name it we'll talk about it! We have a small library of books, videos and DVD's which you can borrow.

We also run a range of workshops which are advertised via our website. We also run various clubs: Space Hoppers for ages 5-9/10 years; Space for Kids for ages 5-9 years; Fun Friday ages 10-13 years; Space for You ages 13-19 years; and Saturday monthly movie nights.

Facebook: Space4Autism       Twitter: @Space4Autism


LIST OF ACTIVITIES:

* Space for Kids & Apollo – two clubs, each accommodating ten children aged from 4 to 8 years.   
* Saturday Club & Saturn Saturdays – two clubs, each for twelve children aged from 8 to 11 years.
* Space Mates – An afterschool club for twelve young people aged from 11 to 14 years. 
* Fun Friday – An evening club for sixteen young people aged from 11 to 14 years.
* Space for You & Youth Space – two evening clubs, each for twenty teenagers, 14 to 18 years.
* Galaxy Group – An evening club for up to 40 adults from 18+ years.
* Educational Workshops – a wide range of workshops for parents, carers and professionals. 
* Art Sessions – We ran three art sessions per week during term time, two for adults with ASC 
and one for children and young people with ASC.  
* Open Space - a ‘drop in’ project for people of all ages with ASC, their families and professionals.
* Outreach Service “Revive and Strive” –Our staff can make appointments with the outreach 
team to help with any problems and refer/signpost to the right service if necessary.  
* Counselling Space for ASC Adults – A counselling service for our adults with ASC.
* Self-Help Online Counselling Course – We developed our own self-help course with 
our in-house psychotherapist.  The course has 7 modules and can be completed over a 
12-month period with videos and worksheets for the member to work through themselves, 
at a pace that is right for them.  This is open to any adult member.
* S4A café (including sensory café area) - open five days a week to members and the public. 
* Training programme - a wide ranging training programme throughout Cheshire. 
* 0-4yrs training programme – a 6 week course for parent/carers of younger children with ASC.
* Pre-School Stay and Play – A chance for parent/carers of babies and toddlers to come together 
for a chat whilst their children play in the sensory room.  
* Autism Awareness Training for Professionals – training for companies and other charities 
delivered by one of our adult ASC members to raise awareness of what living with ASC is like.
* Space4Carers – a programme of lots of activities, social opportunities, relaxation therapies, 
residential weekends and learning for parent/carers.
* Carers Coffee, Chat and Learn Morning – for all parent/carers of people with ASC.
* Crafty Carers – run by one of our wonderful volunteers.  A chance for parent/carers to come together to craft and chat.
* Space to Talk - Children Counselling service – delivered by Just Drop In at our premises 
for children and young people aged 12yrs plus.
* Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) training – delivered by Smart Bright Training 
Consultancy to parent/carers to help with their EHCP’s.
* 1:1 Appointments – delivered by Smart Bright Training Consultancy to parent/carers and ASC 
adults, to offer support and advice surrounding any issues they are having and signposting 
to the right services should they require more intervention.
* Walking Group – a monthly walking club for our parent/carers and ASC adults.

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

Gender: All genders

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific