Below, you will find some links to organisations who offer training and support in relation to autistic teens and young adults.
Bristol
BASS – Autism Service for Adults
BASS Autism Services for Adults provide a service to adults (17 years and over) with Autism and professionals and carers who support them. The Bristol Autism Spectrum Service has many useful Guides on their home page. These include Guides on Stuff to do, benefits, money, bus pass and driving, housing, mental health, college, carers’ support and a guide to employment.
Email: awp.bass@nhs.net
Click to go to website
Teenage Life Course – Bristol City Council
BCC offer Family Learning Courses including the Teenage Life course which is for parents who have a child with autism aged between 9 and 18 years. This is also open to parents whose child is going through the diagnosis process with a social communication and interaction need. The course covers – What is autism / Education / Self Esteem / Behaviour difficulties / Puberty & Sexuality. In addition a number of day workshops are available including – Autism and Anxiety / Managing Anger / Preparing for Adulthood
Email: autismfamilycourses@bristol.gov.uk
Click to go to website
The Social Skills Agency
The Social Skills Agency offers social skills learning programmes for children and young people (10-25) who struggle with social communication. SSA specialises in supporting children and teenagers with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and autism. Social skills learnt in the groups may include: turn taking, sharing, negotiation and compromising, understanding multiple perspectives and friendships. Through drama clubs, music groups, film clubs, comics and much more, children and teenagers practice social learning and consolidate their social skills in a safe and positive environment. There is a cost for this activity.
Email: office@socialskillsagency.org
Click to go to website
Sixteen Co-operative Ltd offers evidence based Supported Employment Services to help people with a disability get a job by matching the skills, interests and aspirations of the individual with the needs of local employers; providing the right support by the right person at the right time.
Email: info@sixteencoop.co.uk
Website: http://www.sixteencoop.co.uk
LD Awareness supports people from the age of 16 upwards into supported employment. We can support smooth and seamless transitions from education into employment and, if required, in employment on an ongoing basis.
Website: http://www.ldawareness.co.uk/employment-job-coaching-support/
PROPS (Providing Opportunities and Support) exists to give young adults the opportunity to lead fulfilling and participative lives, on both a social and professional level, regardless of any cognitive or physical disabilities. PROPS provide access to practical learning, worthwhile experiences and skills development for these young people to will achieve this goal.
Telephone: 0117 965 3514
Email: info@propsbristol.co.uk
Website: http://www.propsbristol.org
Misfits Theatre Company is a theatre and social group led by people with learning difficulties. Misfits is known for its role as a provider of unique training solutions, working with both private businesses and the public sector. They aim to enable people with learning difficulties to be creative, have fun and reach their potential through participation, performance, volunteering and employment.
Click here to learn more about Misfits
WECIL – Working Together a free employability course. The course is designed to support people over 18 who identify as disabled or have a long-term health condition. This includes learning difficulties, anxiety, depression or dyslexia for example. You do not need a formal diagnosis to access the course. Email: employability@wecil.co.uk or phone 0117 947 9911
Click here to learn more
South Gloucester
Breakthrough Mentoring is an activity-based mentoring programme in South Gloucestershire. It helps vulnerable and excluded people achieve goals that will help them move their life forward. Mentors work with people facing a range of issues and challenges including mental health issues or disability, challenging or offending behaviour, and young people in the care system.
Learn more about Breakthrough Mentoring
The Hive Avon runs life skills, self-advocacy and other useful sessions for people aged 18 and over at The Hive, their excellent drop-in centre in Kingswood.
Telephone: 0117 9614372
Address: 322-324 Two Mile Hill Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 1AJ
Email: office@thehiveavon.org.uk
Website: Click here to learn more
Make it Mentoring runs a five-week long Job Skills Club in Yate every few months to help young people move towards employment.
Telephone: 07722 911902
Email: mim@makeitmentoring.co.uk
Website: http://www.makeitmentoring.co.uk/
Brandon Trust is a charity supporting adults and children with learning disabilities and autism. Brandon Trust believe that all people with learning disabilities should be able to live a life of freedom with fewer limitations. They work with people who can inspire and enable those we support to set themselves free so they can reach for their dreams and be all they can be.
Telephone: 0117 965 3514
Email: info@brandontrust.org
Website: http://www.brandontrust.org/
Further afield
Foxes Academy in Minehead offer training for independent life skills in residential learner houses. It also provides the opportunity to learn catering skills in a real operating hotel with paying guests, where lots of functions take place all year round.
Telephone: 01643 708529
Email: admin@foxesacademy.ac.uk
Website: http://foxesacademy.ac.uk/
Magdalen Farm in Chard, near Taunton, offers Care Farming programmes for autistic individuals of all ages to improve their health and well-being. They help people to pick up new practical skills like animal care, horticulture, and skills with tools. They also help to improve people’s ability to cope, live independently and spend time with other people.
Telephone: 01460 30144
Email: info@magdalenfarm.org.uk
Website: http://www.magdalenfarm.org.uk
The Den is an An interactive website run by the Autism Education Trust to help young people on the autism spectrum (and their siblings) to learn more about a wide range of issues that may affect them.
Website: http://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/the-den.aspx/
