Summary
The services for autistic adults in Bristol and places that offer them.
Bristol is a vibrant city with lots going on.
So it makes sense that they’d also be a lot going on for autistic adults. However, we all know how hard it is to find information, let alone up-to-date information! Here I will detail a few of the services and groups for autistic adults (though some of these you can access at 16 years of age).
The Bristol Autism Spectrum Service (BASS):
BASS provides a service to adults with an autism diagnosis and the professionals and carers who support them. They operate in Bristol, Bath, North East Somerset (BANES), North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
If any of you have children/adults 18+, the Bristol Autism Spectrum Service is amazing! They will also see someone three times from the age of 17 to introduce them to the service.
They offer:
- a post-diagnostic support group that explains what autism is to autistic adults. It is for two hours a week for six weeks and goes over disclosing, sensory processing, and myths & facts.
- an advice service offering free 1-2-1 appointments to help with everything inc benefits, housing, education, jobs, interviews, etc
- social prescribing (where someone can go to events with you)
- support accessing counselling
- tons of groups!! from problem-solving, mindfulness, sensory workshops, etc
- and the staff are amazing!! (also I help teach some of The Post Diagnosis Support Groups)
Luckily most of these services are still running through the pandemic.
However, the only groups currently running are the mindfulness and problem-solving groups.
Diverse:
Diverse is an independent organisation run for and by people that identify as Autistic in the Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area.
Apart from this being run by neurodiverse people themselves, it also caters to everyone 16 years old and above.
They have many different groups:
- pub
- cinema
- quizzes
- games
- walking
- cycling
- bowling
- arts and crafts
- music, gigs, and festivals
- dungeons and dragons
- creative writing
- a club night
Only the Online Zoom Pub Quiz is currently running due to the pandemic.
The West of England Centre for Inclusive Living (WECIL):
WECIL (The West of England Centre for Inclusive Living) is a charity run by and for disabled people in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
They offer a range of services which support over 4,000 disabled people every year. This support, and the groups they run, cater to both children and young people.
They offer:
- training
- advocacy
- benefits advice
- employment support
- groups activities
Milestones Trust:
Milestones Trust also deserves mention. They support people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, dementia, and complex behavioural needs.
https://www.milestonestrust.org.uk
Click here for further support services available nationally.
Again, Bristol is a vibrant city with lots going on, so this list isn’t exhaustive, but I hope these examples help you.
If you want to hear more from me you can check out my YouTube here: youtube.com/@LorenSnow and my website here: www.lorensnow.com
