Autism Berkshire - Coronavirus response

Coronavirus

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Coronavirus: Online workshops, support groups, advice, information and things to do at home

Autism Berkshire is running a number of online services to help parents and carers of autistic children during the coronavirus shutdown.

From Monday, April 20, bite-size online versions of autism advice workshops about Meeting Sensory Needs and Managing Anger will be available using video conferencing.

There will also be weekly online support groups for parents and carers of autistic children of pre-school age; those with children of primary school age; and for those with children of secondary school age; plus groups focusing on specific topics.

The charity’s autism advice Helpline and its Benefits Service are continuing to operate to advise autistic people and their families.

And new pages have been added to the website, with links to advice and resources for families and fun and educational things for people of all ages to do online and offline while they are spending so much time indoors.

Full details of all the charity’s services during the coronavirus shutdown and how to contact its team or register an interest in joining online workshops and support groups are available at http://www.autismberkshire.org.uk/coronavirus-support-from-autism-berkshire/

Autism Berkshire was set up in 1990 by parents of children with autism, autism-related problems and challenging behaviours.

We now have more than 600 members, including individuals, families and professionals.

The main aims of the charity are to provide a comprehensive advice and information service for parents, carers and professionals.

You can call our helpline from 10am to 1pm from Monday to Friday on 01189 594 594 or email our advisers at contact@autismberkshire.org.uk or attend a drop-in autism advice session between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Tuesdays during school terms at our office in Reading.

Face-to-face appointments are also available by prior arrangement at our office.

We also provide a Home Visiting Service to offer advice to parents and carers of children with autism. For appointments with our family support workers, please contact the office.

We support parents and carers of children on the autism spectrum or whose children are waiting for a Berkshire CAMHS autism assessment, by running a wide range of workshops on aspects of autism and supporting children and young people with autism, including sensory needs and managing anger.

Autism Berkshire also provides training to professionals to raise awareness of autism and issues associated with autism.

The charity issues the Berkshire Autism Alert Card and manages the scheme on behalf of the alert card working group.

Anyone who becomes a member of Autism Berkshire has access to our library of books about autism and sensory items and toys.

For more information contact Autism Berkshire:

Tel: 01189 594 594

Email: contact@autismberkshire.co.uk;

Website. www.autismberkshire.org.uk

Facebook.com/AutismBerkshire/

Who to contact

Contact Name: Georgie Mitchell
Contact Position: Administrator
Telephone: 01189 594 594
E-mail: contact@autismberkshire.org.uk
Website: Autism Berkshire

Where to go

Name

Autism Berkshire office

Address

40
Caversham Road
Reading
Berkshire

Postcode

RG1 7EB

Notes

Pay-and-display car parking is available after 10am outside the office entrance in Vachel Road.

The nearest off-road car parks are the NCP sites at Garrard Street and Cattle Market, in Great Knollys Street.

Our office is on the first floor, with access by lift for people in wheelchairs or who find stairs difficult. Directions to our office can be found on our website.

Time / Date Details

When is it on: The Autism Berkshire office is open from Monday to Friday, between 10am and 4.30pm. Our Helpline service is available between 10am and 1pm.
Time of day: Morning
Afternoon

Other Details

Costs

Is there a charge for using this service?: No
Wheelchair accessible?: Yes

Availability

Referral required: No

Local Offer

Contact Telephone: 01189 594 594
Contact Email: contact@autismberkshire.org.uk
Links: Autism Berkshire
Local Offer Age Bands: Transitions to Adulthood (16+)
Primary (4-10 years)
Secondary (11-16 years)
SEN Provision Type: Specialist

General Provider Response

Is your service accessible?: Our office is on the first floor, but is accessible by lift. There are toilets for the disabled in the building. Feel free to contact us if you have any concerns about access for yourself or your child.
What are the eligibility criteria for your service?: Open access. Our helpline is free and open to all. Some other services may have eligibility criteria or be chargeable. Further details are on our website or give us a call.
What is your service standard for responding to referrals/accessing services?: We hope to respond to requests for help and support within three working days.
Funding: Independent
Charges: No
Details of charges: Some of our services are chargeable e.g. membership costs from £10 a year which is our concessionary rate, our helpline and some other activities are free. Call us or see our website if you would like further information.
Inspection outcomes/quality awards: We hold Reading Voluntary Action's Safe+Sound quality award
Feedback and complaints procedure: We welcome feedback on our services either by phone, email or in person. Call 01189 594 594 or email contact@autismberkshire.org.uk
How will I know my child will be safe using this service?: All our staff and volunteers are DBS checked. We provide training in autism awareness, first aid, safeguarding and fire safety to staff at our activities.

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This information has been collected from third party providers therefore the Reading Services Guide, Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of this information and recommends that parents, carers, young people, residents and professionals check with providers regarding DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) and OFSTED registrations and CQC registrations. Information collected by Reading Service Guide; is used solely to implement and supply the Family Information Service (FIS), Special Educational Needs & Disabilities - Reading's Local Offer, Adults & Carers Support Group and Reading Youth.