Autism Anglia

Autism Anglia We provide care and support to autistic people and their families in East Anglia

Autism Anglia is an independent charity providing care and support to autistic children, adults and their families in East Anglia. Services in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, managed from offices in Colchester and Dereham, offer personalised approaches that provide each individual with the necessary skills and strategies to enable them to realise their own strengths and abilities. The charity also seeks to promote a greater knowledge and understanding of autism through training, education and supplying information to the public and professionals.

Colchester! We're back! 🙌 Tues 13th October.Our Community Connect team will welcoming families to St Stephen's Church in...
13/10/2026

Colchester! We're back! 🙌 Tues 13th October.

Our Community Connect team will welcoming families to St Stephen's Church in Colchester on Tuesday for another Community Connect drop-in 🎉

We see you. 💖 You feel like you're going around in circles looking for some advice around autism and/or ADHD in your family and getting nowhere fast.

Have you heard about our Community Connect drop-in sessions?

Our amazing team hold FREE regular drop-in sessions in Colchester and Tendring for young people aged between 0-25 and their parents/guardians/carers.

We offer a friendly, safe space to meet and receive practical advice and information on challenges such as:

💡Behaviours that may be hard to manage.

💡Obtaining support and moving between schools or big life changes.

💡Advice when applying for DLA (Disability living allowance) and PIP (Personal Independence payment).

What is more, we meet you where you are. So there's no "silly questions", nothing off topic, just a friendly supportive ear.

Plus, everyone is welcome and you don’t even need to have a diagnosis of autism or ADHD to come along. 🙌

For more info, check out the link in comments. 👇

So why not try us out and come along to our next session? It may just be the turning point you need for you and your family. ✨

Following the publication of the government's recent independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, ...
12/10/2026

Following the publication of the government's recent independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, we know conversations like these can create questions and uncertainty for autistic people, people with ADHD and their families.

Our CEO, James McQuiggan, recently shared his thoughts:

“We welcome any serious review of how autistic people, people with ADHD and those experiencing mental health difficulties can get the right support, at the right time.

We do, however, need to be careful about reducing what is a very complex issue to a conversation about ‘overdiagnosis’. The review itself does not conclude that overdiagnosis is happening at scale, and headlines suggesting otherwise risk adding to the stigma and uncertainty that many autistic people and people with ADHD already experience.

I do believe there is an important conversation to be had around access to support. People shouldn’t always have to wait for a diagnosis before they can get meaningful help. That principle is already at the heart of our Community Connect service, where young people and families can access practical advice, guidance, and reassurance without needing a formal diagnosis.

We shouldn’t underestimate how important an accurate diagnosis can be, as for many people, it can bring greater understanding of themselves, validation of their experiences and a clearer route to the right support.

Whatever comes next must be evidence-led, properly resourced and, crucially, shaped by the experiences of autistic people, people with ADHD, and their families. The goal should be a system where people feel understood, supported, and have the opportunities they need to succeed.”

For us, the focus remains simple: listen to people, understand individual needs and make it easier to access meaningful support when it is needed.

World Mental Health Day is a reminder of the importance of listening to lived experience 🩷This year's theme, Lived Exper...
10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day is a reminder of the importance of listening to lived experience 🩷

This year's theme, Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change, highlights the value of listening to people and ensuring their voices help shape the support, services and opportunities that affect their lives.

At Autism Anglia, listening to our community is a vital part of what we do. Through our ‘Building Better Futures’ initiatives, we gather honest, lived‑experience and feedback around such subjects as autism in the workplace and LGBTQIA+ issues. This work helps us to understand these challenges more deeply and work towards building a fairer, more neuroinclusive future.

By listening, learning, and acting on what we hear, we can help build a more understanding and supportive world for autistic people and their families, which in turn leads to improved mental health for all.

This World Mental Health Day, let's continue to listen to lived experience and recognise that every voice matters 🩷🫶

A great weekend for our & Mid-Norfolk Community Connect team at the 'Making Sense of SEND' event in Norwich, directly ...
08/10/2026

A great weekend for our & Mid-Norfolk Community Connect team at the 'Making Sense of SEND' event in Norwich, directly reaching 15 families with support & advice! 🙌

If you are planning a community event in either Colchester & North-Tendring or Norwich & Mid-Norfolk and think our teams could add value, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected]

You don't have to have everything figured out before you ask for help. 🩷Many families tell us they are sometimes put off...
05/10/2026

You don't have to have everything figured out before you ask for help. 🩷

Many families tell us they are sometimes put off reaching out because they're not sure what to ask, where to start, or whether what they're experiencing is "serious enough".

The truth is, you don't need all the answers before coming along to a Community Connect drop-in.

Our team is here to help you find them.

📍 Walton Community Forum, 61 High Street, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8BD.
📅 Wednesday 7th October 2026
🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm

Whether you're looking for advice around autism and/or ADHD, trying to understand available support, or simply need someone to listen, we'd love to meet you.

Pop in and chat to us about things like:

💡 Understanding autism and ADHD
💡 School moves and major life transitions
💡 DLA and PIP applications
💡 Behaviours that may feel difficult to manage
💡 Finding services and support in your local area

There's no referral needed. There's no formal diagnosis needed. And there are definitely no silly questions.

Just practical advice, friendly support, and people who understand what families are going through. 🙌

Open to young people aged 0–25 and their parents, carers, grandparents, and family members across Colchester and North-East Essex.

Why not stop by for a chat and see how we can help?

👇 Follow the link in the comments for more information.

Weeley families! Need a place to ask the questions you can't find answers to? 🩷If you're supporting a young person with ...
02/10/2026

Weeley families! Need a place to ask the questions you can't find answers to? 🩷

If you're supporting a young person with autism and/or ADHD, you might have the same questions that keep popping into your head:

"Where do I go for support?"
"What happens next?"
"Who can help us?"

The good news? You don't have to work it all out on your own. 🙌

Our Community Connect Team will be back at Aldanat Community Hub in Weeley on Tuesday 6th October, offering a welcoming, informal drop-in session for young people aged 0-25 and their parents, carers, grandparents, and family members.

📅 Tuesday 6th October 2026
🕙 10:00am - 12:00pm
📍 Aldanat Community Hub, The Street, Weeley, Essex, CO16 9JE

Come along and chat to us about things like:

💡 Autism and ADHD support
💡 School transitions and life changes
💡 DLA and PIP applications
💡 Behaviours that may feel difficult to manage
💡 Local services and support available to your family

No appointment needed. No judgement. No pressure.

Just a friendly conversation with people who understand. 🙌

Plus! No formal autism or ADHD diagnosis is required and everyone is welcome. 🩷

Whether you're looking for advice, reassurance, or simply a listening ear, we'd love to meet you.

👇 Follow the link in the comments for more information.

Looking for autism & ADHD support in Dereham? We're here to help. 🙌Sometimes, the hardest part is knowing where to start...
02/10/2026

Looking for autism & ADHD support in Dereham? We're here to help. 🙌

Sometimes, the hardest part is knowing where to start. Whether you're looking for advice around autism and/or ADHD, trying to understand what support is available, or simply need someone to talk things through with, our Community Connect Team is here for you.

📍 Dereham Library, 59 High St, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DZ
📅 Monday 5th October 2026
🕜 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Our FREE Community Connect drop-ins are open to young people aged 0–25 and their parents, carers, grandparents, and family members across Norwich and Mid-Norfolk.

Drop in and chat to us about things like:

💡 Autism and ADHD support
💡 School transitions and life changes
💡 DLA and PIP applications
💡 Behaviours that may feel difficult to manage
💡 Finding the right support for your child or family

You don't need a diagnosis. You don't need a referral. And you definitely don't need to have all the answers.

Just come along for a friendly conversation with people who understand. It's free to attend, confidential and supportive, and no question is too small

Sometimes, one conversation can help you feel less alone and more confident about the next step.

👇 Find out more via the link in the comments.

What if the support you need could come to you?When you're juggling family life, work, appointments, and everything else...
29/09/2026

What if the support you need could come to you?

When you're juggling family life, work, appointments, and everything else in between, finding time to seek support can feel like just another thing on the never-ending to-do list.

That's why our Community Connect Online sessions are designed to fit around your day.

Our next session is for our Norwich & Mid-Norfolk Community:

📅 Thursday 1st October 2026

🕙 Appointments available between 10am and 12pm

From the comfort of your own home, you can book a FREE 15-minute online session with one of our Community Connect Team members and talk through whatever is on your mind regarding autism and/or ADHD.

Whether you're looking for guidance on:

💡 Behaviours that feel difficult to manage
💡 School transitions and major life changes
💡 DLA and PIP applications
💡 Finding the right support for your child or family
💡 Understanding what help is available locally

We're here to listen. So no travelling, no waiting rooms, no judgement and no formal autism or ADHD diagnosis needed. 🙌

Just friendly, practical support from people who understand.

⏰ Spaces are limited and booking is essential.

Sometimes, a 15-minute conversation is all it takes to find a clearer path forward. ✨

👇 Book your FREE Community Connect Online session via the link in the comments.

Norfolk SendiassNorfolk Autism Partnership

Norwich! Our Community Connect Team (Norwich & Mid-Norfolk) will be attending the 'Making Sense of SEND' event on Saturd...
28/09/2026

Norwich! Our Community Connect Team (Norwich & Mid-Norfolk) will be attending the 'Making Sense of SEND' event on Saturday at Hellesdon Community Centre. 🙌🩷

📅Saturday 3rd October 2026
📍Hellesdon Community Centre, Middletons Lane, Norwich, NR6 5SR
🕑11:30am to 1:30pm

Making Sense of SEND is a free, friendly event designed to help parent carers, families, young people with SEND, and the professionals who support them find information, advice and support.

The event brings together a wide range of SEND services under one roof, making it easier for families to discover what support is available and connect with the people who can help.

At the event, visitors can:
• Meet and chat with over 20 SEND services and organisations.
• Get information, advice and guidance directly from professionals.
• Discover local services they may not have heard about before.
• Attend an informative SEND-focused talk.
• Speak with SEND Advisers and receive support and guidance.
• Share their experiences with representatives from the EHCP and SEND Adviser teams. Bookable feedback slots will be available on the day.
• Meet and connect with other parent carers and families who understand their journey.

Children are welcome to attend when accompanied by a parent, carer or supervising adult.

👇To find out more and book your space today, please visit the link in comments, or book your place directly on Eventbrite

Norfolk SEND Local Offer

Address

846 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park
Colchester
CO49YQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441206577678

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Autism Anglia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Autism Anglia:

Shortcuts

Share

Category