Family Support Hubs

There are Autism Family Support Hubs which run once a month in a variety of locations in the region - click here to see our locations.

About our hubs:

The hubs are for parents/carers, and children 11 and under to attend, and no autism diagnosis is necessary. Siblings are also welcome. Families can go to whichever hub is most convenient for them, and can access multiple hubs if they would like to.

There is a small charge for refreshments, and attendees may be asked to make a donation towards the running of the hubs, although the amount will be at their discretion.

There is also a teen hub which follows broadly the same format as the hubs for younger children.

Relaxed and non-judgemental, the hubs offer a variety of things to do, and give children a chance to play and parents/carers a chance to chat to others or hub staff. There's no pressure to take part in anything, or to make anything. Some children sit and play with one toy the whole time, others just run around and don’t really settle to anything - as long they're happy we don’t care! They are drop-in sessions so no need to turn up at the start or stay to the end.

Please get in touch with the hub coordinators from the list below for more information on times, dates, and the format of the hubs you are interested in.

We offer:

• Activities for the whole family;
• Advice, guidance, signposting, and information
• Parent workshops and events
• Information of support events aimed at parents and carers.

Hubs take place at:

• Gainsborough - For details, click here. 2pm-4.30pm, first Saturday of the month. For details, click here. More information from coordinator Dawn.Vamplew@aem.org.uk
• Newark - 10am-12.30pm, first Saturday of the month. For details, click here. More information from coordinator Dawn.Vamplew@aem.org.uk
• Teen Hub at Mansfield Woodhouse - 11am-2.30pm, third Saturday of the month. More information from Christopher.Smith@aem.org.uk
• Rotherham - 10am-12.30pm, third or fourth Saturday of the month. For details, click here. More information from coordinator Christopher.Smith@aem.org.uk
• Retford - 4pm-6pm, first Wednesday of the month. More information from coordinator Dawn.Vamplew@aem.org.uk.
• Kirkby - 4.30pm-6.30pm, fourth Monday of the month. For details, click here. More information from coordinator Claire.Lee@aem.org.uk.
• Nottingham - 4.30pm-6.30pm, last Monday of the month. Click here for more details. More information from Lesley.Lock@aem.org.uk
• Heanor - 10am-3pm, last Saturday of the month. For details, click here. More information from Steve.McKinley@aem.org.uk
  
• Loughborough - 4-6.30pm, usually the second Tuesday of the month. For details, click here. More information from Lesley.Lock@aem.org.uk
  
• Leicester - 10am-12.30pm, first Saturday of the month. For details, click here. More information from coordinator Lesley.Lock@aem.org.uk
• Northampton - 4-6.30pm, first Monday of the month. For details, click here. More information from Lesley.Lock@aem.org.uk