Bristol Autism Support are delighted to announce that we are the Regional Hub for the South West for Autism Central. This is a new programme, co-designed to provide high-quality and accessible autism information, education and coaching for families, and carers, and co-delivered by autistic people, families and carers.
Autism Central has been commissioned by NHS England’s Workforce, Training and Education Team and is delivered nationally by nine not-for-profit organisations.
The Autism Central Hubs offer guidance to families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people. All of our sessions are run by Peer Educators. These are parents or carers of autistic people, who are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. They can offer group and one-to-one sessions to help you and other parents and carers find the information and services available in your area. Hubs may also run events such as workshops, drop-in sessions, coffee mornings or virtual meet-ups.
Group Sessions
We offer a range of group sessions including support groups, information and discussion sessions. Group sessions are facilitated by our Peer Educators who are families or carers of autistic people and/or autistic themselves. Peer Educators will be trained to coach, signpost and share their learning with other parents and carers of autistic people. These are free to parents and carers living in South West England and can be booked here:
1-1 Session
Book a 1-1 session with our wrap around coordinators for families and carers of autistic people. This is an opportunity to talk to one of our team who can provide support and signposting to further information.
This 1-1 service is only open to families and carers of autistic people that live in South West England.
Peer Educators
Bristol Autism Support are now recruiting Peer Educators who are families or carers of autistic people and/or autistic themselves. Peer Educators will be trained to coach, signpost and share their learning with other parents and carers of autistic people.
Delivered in a variety of ways, including group and individual sessions, the focus will be on meeting the needs of autistic people and on signposting for access to local and national services. Sessions will be delivered in ways that suit local carers, either in person or online.
Are you interested in becoming a peer educator? We are keen to find people who: –
- are family members, partners/spouses of an autistic person or are an autistic person (ideally 3 years post diagnosis)
- have a good understanding of autism and how to support autistic people
- motivated to coach, educate and support other families and carers
- able and willing to learn new skills
- live in South West England
- are 18+ years old
Please note we are only currently looking from peer educators based in the following areas: Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall and Devon.
If you are interested in becoming a peer educator please email us at autismcentralsw@bristolautismsupport.org
