Covering Essex, Southend & Thurrock, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Norfolk & Waveney, Suffolk. The Autism Central Peer Education Programme offers families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people high-quality and easily accessible autism education, information and support. Essex County Council, in collaboration with Essex Family Forum hold the contract to deliver the programme across the Eastern region.
How it can help
Sometimes, talking to people who share similar experiences to yours means you’re more likely to feel understood and get the help you need. The programme is a free, all age service. You do not need a diagnosis to access the support. The programme offers support in three ways:
- the Autism Central website which has an ever-growing range of information and guidance on a broad range of autism related topics
- weekly, online group sessions for parents - anything autism related can be discussed
- 1:1 support for parents/carers via a telephone or Teams call
The programme is run by families for families. Each session is facilitated by Peer Educators who are themselves parents and carers of autistic people. They listen, offer guidance and signpost to services available in your local area.
Age
All ages
Eligibility
Available to any autistic individual or family supporting an autistic family member. No diagnosis needed.
This programme is available in:
- Essex
- Southend and Thurrock
- Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
- Hertfordshire
- Norfolk and Waveney
- Suffolk
How to access
Visit the Autism Central website.