Upcoming events
Take a look at some of the events coming up soon across the local area.
Dedicated vaccination clinics are being provided in Leicestershire and Rutland for adults and children with a learning disability.
The clinics will offer both the flu and Covid vaccines for anyone who is registered as having a learning disability. The clinics are taking place on the following dates:
- Wednesday 22 November, from 3pm to 5pm at Oakham Enterprise Park LE15 7TU, for ages 12 years and over. People can just drop-in, no appointment needed.
- Sunday 26 November from 9am to 4pm at Emmanuel Church Hall, 47 Forest Rd, Loughborough LE11 3NW, for ages 12 years and over. Please book in advance.
- Sunday 3 December, at Emmanuel Church Hall, for ages:
5 to 17 years, from 9am to 1pm
18 years and over, from 1pm to 4pm
Please book in advance.
Dr Virginia Ashman, GP and Clinical Lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “As we head into winter, we know that viruses
tend to spread more rapidly than at other times of the year. People with a learning disability are more likely to become very poorly if they catch coronavirus or flu. Getting vaccinated is
the best way to stay healthy. For many people these specialist clinics are the only environment available to them where they feel comfortable enough to have their Covid and flu
vaccinations.”
The clinics have been designed to offer a calming, friendly and more supportive environment to people with a learning disability, their accompanying family members or carers. The clinics have longer appointment times and are staffed with health care professionals who specialise in learning disability support and care.
Every effort will be made to provide for individual needs; for people who do not wish to enter the clinic, vaccinations can be administered to them whilst they sit in their car outside.
There will be an additional clinic on Sunday 7 December, for drive-thru vaccinations, where people will be vaccinated while they are in their vehicle. This clinic will be held at Belvoir Shopping Centre, Coalville LE67 3XA from 10am to 4pm, offering both Covid and flu vaccines. Although this clinic is designed primarily for people with learning disabilities, other eligible people can also attend for their vaccines. Please note that that people will need to buy a car parking ticket for the Belvoir Shopping Centre car park. A half hour appointment can be booked in advance; alternatively people can just turn up, although this will mean less time is allocated for their jabs.
Bookings for all clinics can be made by telephone: 0116 497 5700, and select option 1, giving the person’s name, age and details of any requirements or adaptations needed. The telephone line is open Mondays to Fridays 8am – 8pm and on Saturdays between 9am – 5pm.
Further details about getting the vaccines for Covid and flu can be found at:
Are you a family member, informal carer or personal assistant of an autistic person? We’re delighted to be offering individual sessions on autism education, information and guidance as well as regular online group sessions. To find out more please visit: www.autismcentral.org.uk/midlands
To book a free 30-minute call, please select a date and time below. All our calls and sessions are delivered by people with lived experience of autism.
If you cannot find a suitable time, please email autismhubmidlands@contact.org.uk
Support Services
There are a number of local autism support groups available. Discover more details about time, venues and who to contact to attend by clicking on the name of the support group below
Autism Central is a new, free education programme being launched across England. It offers support for families and carers of autistic children and adults.
It aims to build knowledge and understanding of autism and empower families and carers to advocate for autistic people they support to get the right understanding and adjustments in place across the services they use.
It is commissioned by NHS England and informed by or co-produced with autistic people, parents and carers, the programme offers one-to-one and group sessions complemented by high-quality online learning and information.
Families and carers can talk to people with similar experiences by joining workshops, drop-in sessions, coffee mornings or virtual meetups. With a provider in Leicester running sessions and support.
For more information, follow this link:
POhWER is an independent advocacy support for people who live in Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland. Services include:
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy
- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
- NHS Complaints Advocacy
All of our services are free, independent from other services, and confidential.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy can support people who are:
- Detained under the Mental Health Act (normally in hospital)
- Subject to Guardianship
- Subject to a Community Treatment Order (CTO)
- A conditionally discharged restricted patient
- Under 18 and being considered for electro-convulsive therapy or any other treatment to which section 58A applies.
- An ‘informal’ (voluntary) patient who will be placed on a section imminently
People can refer themselves or be referred by a professional, carer, family member, or friend.
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy can support adults who don’t have family or friends who are able to speak for them and a decision needs to be made about:
- Serious medical treatment – when the NHS wants to give new treatment, stop treatment that is already being given or when they do not want to start treatment
- A change of accommodation – when the NHS or local council wants to move a person to hospital for more than 28 days or to other accommodation for more than 8 weeks.
- An IMCA may also be able to support with:
- Safeguarding Adults from Abuse – when the NHS or local council receives a report of abuse and either the person reported to have been abused or reported to be the abuser lacks capacity to understand the plans being made to prevent the abuse. This is the only type of issue where the person can have family or friends to support them and still have IMCA support.
- Care Reviews – when the NHS or local council has arranged accommodation or wants to review arrangements for a person who lacks capacity.
Referrals are made by the local council or the NHS.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards can support people who have been deprived of their liberty but due to an illness, an injury or a disability which has affected the way their mind works they are not able to agree that they will not be allowed to do certain things. Referrals are made through the local council.
NHS Complaints Advocacy can support people who need help to make a complaint about the care and treatment they have received from the NHS. People can refer themselves or be referred by a professional, carer, family member, or friend. People can make a complaint on behalf of someone else if they have their consent to do so, are their parent or guardian, or if the person is deceased.
All referral forms and leaflets can be found on our website:
https://www.pohwer.net/leicester-city
https://www.pohwer.net/leicestershire
https://www.pohwer.net/rutland
For help with a referral, please call our Help Hub on 0300 456 2370 or email pohwer@pohwer.net
Free peer support courses for autistic young people aged 16-25.
The Ambitious Youth Network and professionals have co-designed a new six-week online course to help you understand autism, explore your autistic identity, develop goals, and equip you with resources, in a guided peer support group.
You’ll take part in online sessions with a small group of other autistic young people, led by Ambitious about Autism staff and members of the Ambitious Youth Network.
Click here to find out more about this Ambitious Youth Network course and how to take part.
A drop-in group for Parents and Carers of children and young people with additional needs.
The aim of the group is to provide information and offer a safe space for parents and carers to meet once a month.
Blaby, Oadby & Wigston Group leaflet:
Charnwood group leaflet:
Autism East Midlands (AEM) has been supporting autistic people and their families since 1968.
Formed by a small group of parents in Nottingham, the charity now provides support to individuals and their families across the region from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire through to Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.
Support services range from accommodation, flexible day centres, employment support, family hubs, children services, respite, clinical services, and specialist education at Sutherland House School in Nottingham.
Autism East Midlands provides support for autistic individuals of all ages from children through to adults. It covers the East Midlands including Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. Services range from school services to adult accommodation support services and family support hubs. Diagnosis is not necessary for all the services provided. Further details about support and funding requirements can be found on the website. Please click here to go to Autism East Midlands Website.
AEM provides training courses covering subjects such as autism awareness, autism in the workplace, autism in women and girls, autism and mental health. Corporate training packages are also available. For details please click here to go to the website training page.
Autism East Midlands Helpline Number: Tel: 01909 506 678
LEAT is a provider of specialist autism support to young people and adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions in Leicester City and the county of Leicestershire.
The support is person-centred, mainly delivered on a one-to-one basis and funded by Leicester City and Leicestershire County Council Direct Payments, in accordance with individuals needs as identified on support plans.
LEAT also provides social mornings and Personal Development training for small groups of autistic individuals and training for professionals.
Who can access the support?
Young people 16 years+ and adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions/Learning difficulties in Leicester City and Leicestershire county.
Funding required by LCC Adult Social Care or private paying. Diagnosis required. LEAT can also signpost to diagnosis.
Referral process
Referral by email to: carol.hunt.leatleicester@outlook.com
Referrals can be made by individuals with an autism diagnosis, parents, carers, healthcare professionals and Adult Social Care professionals.
Click here to visit the Leicestershire Empowerment for Autism Today (LEAT) for more information.
The LLR Keyworking Service is an NHS funded service that provides support for autistic children and young people and/or learning disabilities who are at risk of being admitted to hospital due to a deterioration in their mental health. The service is part of the Dynamic Support Pathway (DSP).
Keyworkers are involved in navigating and co-ordinating services, aiming to unblock systems to support the child or young person. The service ensures the child or young person, and parent/carer’s voice is heard.
Keyworkers provide knowledge and understanding of systems within education, health and social care, and have the means and capacity to link with professionals in all these services.
Who can access the service?
- Any young person aged between 11-18 years (This will expand to 0-25 years in the coming months)
- Any young person who lives in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland
- Any young person who has a diagnosis of Autism and/or a learning disability
Professionals working in Health, Social Care and Education can refer people to the DSP. Please use this link if you want to make a referral to the ROAR or the DSR.
Click here to find further information about the Dynamic Support Pathway.
A Self-Referral option will also be available soon.
The Leicestershire Autistic Society (LAS), formed over 20 years ago, provides support, information and advice to families and professionals dealing with autism in Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland. We are a volunteer led organisation, where the vast majority of our volunteers are parents or carers of someone with autism.
One of our main aims is to continually strive to raise general awareness and acceptance of autism. We work to provide autism-friendly activities and support for families living with autism. Please be aware that some of the groups may change according to funding and volunteer availability, contact the service directly for information.
Who is it for?
The Leicestershire Autistic Society has no eligibility criteria and is for anyone living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland wanting information or advice about autism. We are open to autistic children, young people and adults, family members and professionals.
Cost?
Annual Membership Fee £5.00 – priority access given to members on leisure activities, conference and workshops.
Contact details
Please contact the The Leicestershire Autistic Society by emailing Leicestershireautisticsociety@gmail.com
Website and Social Media
Website: Leicestershire Autistic Society
Facebook: Leicester Autistic Society Facebook Group
(Request to join this private group by answering the 3 admin questions: Parent/Carer of person with autism? Personally diagnosed with autism? Reside in LLR?)
The Carers Centre runs self advocacy and support groups for parents/carers of children, young people and adults who live in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. In these groups, parents/carers can meet and share ideas with other parents in a similar situation.
They can find out information and develop skills to enable them to access services e.g. from Social Care, Health, Education to support them and their children. The groups also support parents/carers to look after their own well-being.
The Carers Centre offers a range of different activities and training sessions, which are advertised to carers who are registered with The Carers Centre.
Self-Advocacy and Support Groups
The centre run several different sessions during the week, please look at the website and social media for the most up to date information on group days and times.
Some groups are online via Zoom, some face to face and some a mixture of both.
Weekly sessions are run at the centre on the following days;
Tuesdays: 10:00 – 11:30 am
This session is for parents and carers of children under 25 years and runs during the school term
Monthly on a Wednesday: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
A session specifically for working parents and carers who cannot attend sessions during the day
Friday: 11:00 – 12:30pm
A weekly session for parents and carers of adults
Who is it for?
Parents/carers of children and young people under 25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities living in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.
Carers of adults living in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.
Cost?
All activities provided by The Carers Centre are free.
Contact details
Parents/carers can self-refer by ringing The Carers Centre on 0116 251099 or emailing enquiries@thecarerscentre.org.uk
Website and social media
Website: The Carers Centre
Facebook: The Carers Centre Leicestershire and Rutland
Twitter: @CarersCentreLLR
Instagram: @carerscentrellr
The Monday Club is a social group for adults who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger syndrome. We support our members by providing opportunities to socialise, build friendships, take part in social activities, access the wider community and develop individual potential.
We aim to create a supportive environment for our members to meet, either in a mainstream setting or in the community, with trained staff and volunteers available to offer support, where necessary.
The Monday Club also provides brief respite for parents and partners of individuals who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger syndrome.
Who is it for?
The Monday Club is open to individuals aged 18 and over, living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, with a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome.
Please note – we have a small staff team and are unable to provide one to one support for individuals with additional support needs.
Referral process
Anyone can make a referral to The Monday Club. Referrers must have permission from the person they are referring, if they are contacting us on their behalf. Contact can be made by email, or by telephone. Our preferred method of contact is email. We will aim to reply to enquires within a week.
We will invite individuals to the group for a meeting to discuss their membership and what the group can offer them. The individual will be given some membership forms to complete and once this is completed and the forms have been received, the individual will then be invited to officially join the group. Once the individual has joined, their membership will remain in place until they request that we remove it.
Activities
We provide a timetable every 10 weeks that is accessible via our website. This includes social skills workshops for our members every 10 weeks.
Cost?
The club costs £2.00 per session to attend and there can be some additional charges for activities.
Contact details
Phone Number- 07873 311610
Email- themondayclub@hotmail.co.uk
Website- The Monday Club
This group is a small friendly group who meet for tea and coffee, a chat and to hear various speakers.
Meetings are on the last Monday of the month at 7.30pm.
Location: John Storer House, Wards End, Loughborough, Leics LE11 3HA
Contact: Evelyn Halsall on 0116 291 6958 or via email: charnwood.cas@gmail.com
Spectrum-MH is a support group for parents and carers of children and adults with ASD in South Leicestershire.
Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month during term time at 7.30pm.
Location: Congregational Church, High St, Market Harborough
Contact: 07745 891834, email spectrumautismgroup@yahoo.com or join their Facebook group.
The group aim to share information and arrange events for families with children on the Autistic spectrum.
Meetings are monthly on the first and third Saturday of the month from 10am until 12 noon.
Location: Community Lounge, Castle Donnington Community College, DE74 2LN
Contact: Jane Sherwood on 01332 810528 or 07879 295414
Jigsaw provides activities, support, information and advice for families with autistic children. The group is run by parents.
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month between 7pm-9pm.
Location: St Gabriels Community Centre (ADHD Solutions Building), Kerrysdale Avenue, Leicester LE4 7GH
Contact: Donna Johnson via email at leicestershireautisticsociety@gmail.com
Reality aims to support the whole family unit affected by ASD/Asperger Syndrome. No formal diagnosis is required. The group organises activities, trips and outings for the whole family.
Meetings are held at Braunstone Sure Start, Gallards Hill, Braunstone, Leicester LE3 1QR.
Contact: Leisa Smith on 0791 285 0517 or via email on: leisa_smith3@hotmail.com
A group to offer support to parents and carers of people with Autism.
When: 3rd Tuesday of the month
Location: Royal British Legion (skittle alley), 12-14 Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1RB
Contact via email: meltonspectrumgroup@gmail.com or Facebook: Melton Mowbray Spectrum Support
For young people aged 5+ years with ASD diagnosis or on the pathway for diagnosis. This is run by volunteers so parent/carer supervision is required.
When: 2nd Saturday of each month, 11am to 12.30pm.
Location: Blaby Methodist Church, Winchester Road, Blaby, LE8 4HL
Cost: £2 per participant
Contact: Donna Johnson via email at leicestershireautisticsociety@gmail.com
For people with ASD diagnosis or on the pathway for a diagnosis. A great opportunity for families to get together and have a fun time during the school holidays. The holiday club welcomes siblings and parent/carer supervision is required as this club is run by volunteers.
When: Tuesday and Thursdays during the school holidays (except Christmas)
Location: Tuesdays see Link Up or LAS Facebook Page for details. Thursdays: Party Hire Centre, Unit 7 St Mary’s Business Park, Market Harborough, LE16 7QJ
Contact: Donna Johnson via email at leicestershireautisticsociety@gmail.com
The charity, Out of Hours Club Rutland, also known as OHCR, is a group for young adults with additional needs such as Autism and Learning Disability who are isolated or at risk of becoming so.
OHCR gives members the opportunity to get together and go out ‘independently’ carrying out a range of different fun activities; from going to the cinema, theatre, bowling, for meals and having days out whilst encouraged to socialize and to be independent.
These young adults are supervised by age appropriate leaders and a back up team comprising of at least one committee member who will be nearby to help with emergencies.
Who is it for?
Anyone with additional needs such as Autism and Learning Disability can access the group if they are over the age of 18.
They are based in Oakham, Rutland, but if you can get to them you are more than welcome.
Members pay £2 subs each week and for their meals and the activity they participate in.
Website: Out of Hours Club Rutland
Telephone number: 07749 222 101
Sports and leisure clubs and activities
There are also a number of sports and leisure clubs offering accessible sessions, so click on the name of the club or activity below to find out more.
Offering children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to train and play football, feel part of a team and make new friends.
When: Friday evenings
Contact: Andrew Lennon on 07368210471
Run an inclusive team up to the age of 11 years old.
When: Saturdays, 11am to 12 noon.
Where: Meadow Lane, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4EU
Cost: £2.50 per session
Contact: Stephen Carr on 07768111780
Part of Leicestershire & Rutland Inclusive League and play in their monthly tournaments.
When: Saturdays, 10am to 11am for ages 6 to 15 yrs, and 10.30 to 12 noon for over 16’s
Where: The Meadows Sports Ground, Leicester Road, Countesthorpe, LE8 5QW
Cost: £7.50 per month
Contact: Beth Russell on 07896 345 409
Offering both children’s and adult services, as well as dance, drama and music and creative therapies and summer play schemes.
Contact: 07543 068872 or email: ftmdance@gmail.com
Offering an ‘access cinema’ service. Part of this offering is autism friendly screenings in a supportive environment with reduced sound levels, partially raised lighting, no trailers and freedom to move around. They also look to provide a separate space to relax in.
Find out more about the ‘Access Cinema Programme’ on their website.
The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA). The Card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.
The Card is also one way for cinemas to make sure they look after their disabled guests. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, cinema staff should make them for you whether you have a CEA Card or not.
Eligibility: To apply, the person requiring assistance must be 5 years of age or older and be in receipt of one of the following:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Adult / Child Disability Payment (ADP / CDP in Scotland)
Click here to visit the CEA Card website for more information.
Local participating cinemas:
Phoenix Cinema, 4 Midland Street Leicester. LE1- 1TG
The cinema hosts ‘Autism Friendly Screenings’ ticket price £4.00 (+1 FREE carer ticket for CEA cardholders)
Have a fleet of adapted bikes that allow people to experience the fun of cycling in a supported venue. They have a fantastic team of volunteers and session leaders who are trained to enable you to get the most from your cycling with us at our events.
When: Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays throughout the month
Where: Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium, Saffron Lane, Leicester, LE2 7NQ
Cost: £5 per individual, £10 per family, £30 per group (up to 8). Carers and Supporters are free
Find out more and view upcoming events on the Leicester Wheels for All website.
Free swimming sessions for families with a child/young person with ASD. Sessions paid for by LAS/Miracles to Believe In.
When: Every Saturday of the year apart from Bank Holiday Weekends, 2pm to 4pm.
Where: Bosworth Community Sports College, Desford, LE9 9JL
Contact: Peter Holdridge – peterholdridge@outlook.com
Are you a parent, grandparent, carer or family friend of someone with autism? If so…why not come and join us for a cuppa and a chat? Everyone welcome!
When: Last Friday of the month (term time only) 10am to 12 noon
Where: Kirby Muxloe Free Church, Main Street, Kirby Muxloe, LE9 2AN
Contact: Rox on 0116 2874517
Run by Melton Mencap and aponsored by Miracles to Believe In, this group is for children and young people aged from 9 to 19 years old who have autism. The group will provide a range of activities and games to support all ranges of ability. Young people will have space to play, access to specialist areas like soft play and multi-sensory rooms plus the freedom of the large play area outside, with outdoor play equipment, grassed areas and lots of fresh air.
When: Every 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am to 1pm
Where: Birchwood School, Grange Drive, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1HA
Cost: £10 per session
Contact: Sue Milligan/Simon Bailey on 01664 564237
360 Play have set up a SEN session once a month.
When: First Wednesday of the month from May 2023, 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Where: 360 Play, Meridian Leisure Park, Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester, LE19 1JZ
Cost: £8.95 per participant, Parents/Carers are free
Click here to visit the 360 Play website to find out more about these special sessions.
This is a non-horse-riding centre which focuses on helping children interact with six horses on the ground. It is for people of all abilities from those who have never been near a horse before to those who have ridden and been around horses. Our latest project called Families United is designed for children with additional needs and their siblings.
Where: Spirit at Play Horse Centre, Illston On the Hill, LE8 8BJ
Contact: 07557819483
An outstanding holiday park, for those who are affected by autism, epilepsy and other special needs. Providing holidays for families and groups like yours, on a dedicated 25 acre site in a safe & non judgemental environment.