Local Support & Advice

Please find below information and contact details of local support and advice groups operating within the Essex area.

Families in Focus Drop in Centres - Parents and carers of anyone with any disability are welcome to try their regular drop-in centres for a coffee, chat and meet other parents and a family worker from Families in Focus.  They will be able to give advice, information and support, pre-school children are welcome too.                                    

Lancaster House, Mildmay House Road, Chelmsford - Every Wednesday in term time 10am-12 noon           
Baptist Church, Coggeshall Road, Braintree - Every first Thursday of the month 10am-12 noon (offering Indian Head Massage on demand)
United Reformed Church, Newland Street, Witham - Every second Thursday of the month 10am-12 noon (offering Indian Head Massage on demand)

They also run a Family Activity Club at Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre, Chelmsford.  Play activities are for children with any disability or special needs and siblings and they must be accompanied by their parents or carers.  For the first two Saturdays of the month it is held between 5-6pm and trampolining is available; for the last two or three Saturdays it is held between 5-7pm and free play is offered as well as the opportunity to meet other families and chat.  Although the club is free there is a suggested donation of £3 per family.

If you would like more information about Families in Focus or any of their drop-in centres you can contact them on 01245 353575 or you can look on their website www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk    

Shenfield Asperger Support Group  -  This group meet on the second Saturday of each month from 1-3pm at the Friends Meeting House in Shenfield. It is for people with Aspergers Syndrome and their relatives to meet up and support each other, while at the same time making new friends, for more information please contact Marianne on 07947 450646 or by emailing her  shenfieldgroup@ukinbox.com. 

Brightlingsea Club -  This Club has been running for nearly 6 years for adults with learning disabilities, it meets once a month at St James Church Hall, Richard Avenue in Brightlingsea and also provides discos on a regular basis.   For more information, please contact Anthony - email: antony.tregenna@btinternet.com or telephone 01206 825876.  

Suppautism -  A friendly supportive group run by mum's for parents living in the Thurrock area.  They meet every Thursday morning 10am-12 at The Sunshine Centre in Tilbury.  A Dad's only group will also starting soon.  www.suppautism.co.uk

For more information on the groups mentioned above or for starting up your own local support group please contact us on 01206 577678 or email info@autism-anglia.org.uk