Local groups
Autistic women and girls social and support group
A group for autistic women, girls and non-binary people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to ask questions, share experiences and form friendships. Click here to go to the facebook group.
The Monday Club
The Monday Club is a social group for adults who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger syndrome.
They support members by providing opportunities to socialise, build friendships, take part in social activities, access the wider community and develop their individual potential.
They aim to create a supportive environment for 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 autistic people.
Who is it for?
The Monday Club is open to people aged 18 and over, living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who have a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome.
Please note – they have a small staff team and cannot provide one to one support for anyone who has additional support needs.
Referral process
Anyone can make a referral to The Monday Club.
If you are referring someone else, you must have their permission.
You can contact the Monday Club by email, or by telephone.
The Monday club organisers prefer email, if possible.
They aim to reply to enquires within a week.
Anyone newly referred will be invited to a meeting to discuss their membership and what the group can offer them.
The person will be given some membership forms to complete.
Once the forms are completed and returned the person will then be invited to officially join the group.
Once a person has joined, their membership will remain in place until they request to leave.
Activities
The Monday Club plans a timetable every 10 weeks.
You can see this on their website.
There are regular social skills workshops – one per 10 week block.
Cost
The club costs £2.00 per session.
Sometimes there are additional charges for activities.
Contact details
Phone Number- 07873 311610
Email- themondayclub@hotmail.co.uk
Website- The Monday Club
Mosaic 1898 autism advocacy group
Mosaic 1898 is a Leicestershire charity, working to provide life-enhancing services, care and opportunities for disabled people (and all those supporting them), promoting inclusion, equality, independence, choice, empowerment, respect and dignity for all.
Click here to view the Mosaic website
Mosaic have set up a number of advocacy groups, including one for autistic people, which is run by and for autistic people. This autism advocacy group aims to provide autistic people with the opportunity to share their views about any concerns about services they may have – plus share their ideas for change.
Click here to find out more about the Mosaic autism advocacy group
NeuroQueer group – for those who identify as both LGBTQI+ and neurodivergent
Click here to see the NeuroQueer poster
NeuroQueer is a group run for and by people who identify as LGBTQ+ and who are neurodivergent (whether formally diagnosed or not)
They are a peer-led social and support group that aims to offer a balance of structured activities and discussion, with opportunities to informally socialise.
NeuroQueer is open to anyone aged 16+ who lives in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland who is LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent (including people who self-identify or are exploring whether a formal diagnosis might be useful to them).
The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, from 6-8pm, at Trade’s Sexual Health’s office at 27 Bowling Green Street, Leicester LE1 6AS.
It is free to attend. Just turn up to the meeting. However, if you want to find out what to expect, email info@tradesexualhealth.com for more information
For more information about Trade Sexual Health, visit their website:
Take a look at their social media accounts:
Instagram: @wearetradehealth
BlueSky: @wearetradehealth.bsky.social
or call: 0116 254 1747
Soft Touch Arts
Soft Touch Arts is a Leicester based arts education charity, who run a variety of projects for young people. These projects aim to improve the lives of those who may otherwise struggle to access services and activities.
Creative Studio is an alternative education scheme run by Soft Touch Arts – and funded by schools and local authorities.
It is a tailor-made specialist alternative arts programme for young people who need extra support and don’t fit into a traditional educational setting. The service specialises in working with young people who need extra support, including those who are autistic.
Soft Touch run regular evening music sessions led by instrumentalists, producers and contemporary musicians.
Click here for more information about the music sessions
Soft Touch have a constantly evolving range of projects on the go – for more information click here to go to their website.
Local groups for parents and carers
Revive Coalville
A café style support hub in Coalville – for anyone raising a child or supporting an adult with additional needs
Resources available to borrow for free
– mini sensory shop
– free goody bags
– equipment and resources available
– no diagnosis needed
– help to navigate and understand the education system
Contact Laura for more information
Phone: 07487543584
Email: reviveforyou@gmail.com
National groups
The GROVE - online social groups for autistic young people
The GROVE – is an entirely autistic staffed organisation supporting autistic young people through online mentoring and peer groups – and more
Their groups:
- they run online
- they are just for fun – and themed on shared interests, so that autistic young people have the chance to connect with like- minded peers
- they are very small (4-8 young people)
- everyone is autistic including the mentors
- they run weekly and are on-going for a real sense of belonging and routine
- the mentors are fairly paid for their work so the groups are not free but there are discounts for parents who are self-funding (as opposed to receiving funding from the Local Authority etc) and they offer at least one ‘Pay What You Can Space’ per group as well
- the GROVE promotes a neuro-affirming approach
Full information about the Grove can be found here:
