Windmills - Autism & Neurodiversity Support Cockermouth

23/10/2026

Link to book - https://bookwhen.com/owlblue

22/10/2026

A NEW JOINT VENTURE: WINDMILLS & OWL BLUE , COCKERMOUTH 💚💙

We’re delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration between Windmills Autism & Neurodiversity Peer Support and Owl Blue, bringing together peer support and free professional neurodiversity advice in one welcoming space.

As Windmills moves to its new town centre location at Christ Church Community Rooms, South Street, Cockermouth, from the beginning of November, Nichola from Owl Blue will be joining the group fortnightly, starting Monday 2nd November, to offer a free neurodiversity question-and-answer session.

“What does this mean for you ?”

Whether you’re navigating behaviours that you’re struggling to understand, have questions about assessments or a potential diagnosis, or simply need advice and reassurance, Nichola and the Owl Blue team will be available to answer questions, offer guidance and talk through concerns, either openly or privately.

Alongside this, Beth from Windmills will continue to provide her welcoming peer-support environment, giving parents, carers and family members the opportunity to connect with others, share experiences and feel understood by people who may be navigating similar challenges.

Our hope is that bringing these two forms of support together will make a real difference. By combining the understanding that comes from shared experiences with access to professional neurodiversity advice, we want to create a space where families feel listened to, supported and better equipped to navigate their journeys.

📍 Christ Church Community Rooms, South Street, Cockermouth, CA13 9RU

🗓️ Every Monday during term time
⏰ 10:30am–12:30pm
💙 Free Owl Blue professional question-and-answer sessions fortnightly, starting Monday 2nd November.

No diagnosis is needed, no appointment is necessary, and you don’t have to have all the answers before coming along.

Sometimes, talking to someone who understands can be the first step towards finding the support you need.

Please share to help us reach families who may benefit from this new collaboration.

Windmills & Owl Blue, bringing peer support and professional advice together.

Understanding. Acceptance. Inclusion. 💚💙

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14/10/2026

(Please Share)
On Friday 27th November 2026 @ 11:30am -2pm Crosscanonby Community Centre Crosby CA15 6SQ

We will be holding Understanding ARFID: Supporting Children and Young People with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

This Understanding ARFID talk aims to increase awareness and understanding of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), exploring how it can affect children, young people and their families.

We look beyond the food itself to understand the sensory differences, anxiety, fear and other underlying factors that can make eating challenging. The session explores the impact ARFID can have on everyday life and the importance of providing compassionate, neuro-affirming support.

At Owl Blue, we believe in reducing pressure, avoiding judgement and recognising that eating difficulties are not simply a matter of choice. We share practical approaches to help families and professionals better understand individual needs and create safe, supportive environments where people can feel understood.

Whether you are a parent, carer or professional working with neurodivergent individuals, this course offers valuable insight into ARFID and how we can work together to support those affected.

This is a casual and small group interactive session, with the option to listen and/or ask questions.
We will also have an option at the end of the session to speak to us privately if you prefer.

This session will be run frequently on demand.

14/10/2026

From Monday 2nd November our Peer Support Group will be changing venue and time! 📣

We will be meeting at South Street Community Hall in Cockermouth between 10.30 and 12.30.

We are looking forward to seeing you there! 😀

14/10/2026

From Monday 2nd November our Peer Support Group will be taking place at South Street Community Hall, Cockermouth 😀

12/10/2026

Just a little reminder that Nicola from Owl Blue will be with us this morning 🙂

We are very excited to have Nicola from Owl Blue joining us again on Monday!

Our Support Group is on every Monday between 10am and 12pm in term time.

See you there! 😀

10/10/2026

It was so lovely to chat with Lois from Grasmoor Mission Community earlier this week 😀

Excited things are coming!

This week Lois met YET ANOTHER brilliant person offering support in the local community in her own time as a volunteer – Beth Sunners of WINDMILLS Autism & Neurodiversity Support in Cockermouth.

You can read all about why Beth decided to set up her Monday morning support group just under a year ago on their page...

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Having a child with a neurodiversity can feel like a lonely place at times.

We wanted to create a safe space to meet other parents, share stories and encourage one another.

A place where we can share the highs and lows together, without any judgement.

Why Windmills?

Our son is autistic and has many special interests, one of which is windmills.

We thought it worked better than calling the group washing machines or fire alarms! 🤣
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(Lois saw the collection of windmills, washing machines AND fire alarms when she visited!)

Beth, who also runs two professional photography businesses - River and Pear Photography and Quirky Pear Brand Photography, has lived in Cockermouth all her life and felt there was a lack of peer support in the town for families with autistic children. She wanted to do something to help.

We talked about raising awareness and understanding of autism through a volunteer training session in the spring at Christ Church Cockermouth next year - in collaboration with other great local charities, Owl Blue (advice and training specialists in autism, neurodiversity, ADHD and more based in West Cumbria) and BEE UNIQUE (great SEND support charity covering Cumbria & Lancashire and based in Flimby).

About 1% of children in the UK are diagnosed autistic and there will be many waiting for diagnoses/undiagnosed, too. We all want to do our bit to help them and their families flourish.

If you’re interested in dropping into a parent/carer support session, during term time, you can find Windmills...

from:
10am-12pm, Monday mornings

at:
The Ark, Highfields, Cockermouth (until half term)
Christ Church Community Rooms, South Street, Cockermouth (after half term)

09/10/2026

We are very excited to have Nicola from Owl Blue joining us again on Monday!

Our Support Group is on every Monday between 10am and 12pm in term time.

See you there! 😀

28/09/2026

The Support Group is cancelled this week due to illness 😞

We will be back on Monday 5th October.

14/09/2026

Today 10am - 12pm 🙂