ASD Helping Hands

19/06/2026

Join us for our Dereham Family Support Group this Saturday.

Our Family Support Group is a safe, welcoming and supportive space for families of children with or without a diagnosis of autism.

There will be a range of inclusive activities, including:

🎨 Arts and crafts
🌈 Sensory play, including use of the sensory room
🧘 A calm, quiet area
🎲 Group games and more

Our friendly team will also be there to offer support, advice and a listening ear. Siblings and extended family members are very welcome too.

📅 Saturday 20th June 2026
🕥 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Mid Norfolk Mencap, 1 Tavern Lane, Dereham, NR19 1PX

Pre-booking is required as spaces are limited.

Book your place here:
https://www.asdhelpinghands.org.uk/events/dereham-family-support-group-8/

16/06/2026

💜 Teen Social Group is back tonight! 💜

A relaxed and welcoming space for young people aged 12–17 to meet others, enjoy activities and simply be themselves.

🎮 Games
🎨 Crafts
🎵 Music
💬 Time to chat and chill

📅 Tonight – Tuesday 16 June
⏰ 6:00pm–7:30pm
📍 ASD Helping Hands, Assembly Rooms, Ruthen Place, Dereham, NR19 2TX
🎟️ Free to attend – no booking needed
🥤 Tuck shop available for snacks and drinks

Regular attendees may also receive priority access to residential trips and special events throughout the year.

Find out more:
https://www.asdhelpinghands.org.uk/events/teen-social-group-4/

27/05/2026

Nominations for the Flourish Awards 2026 close on Friday 29th May. If you have been supported by us or another Norfolk Organisation please consider putting in a nomination :)

22/05/2026

Still time to book on and join us for our Family Support and Social group tomorrow at Mid Norfolk Mencap, Dereham.

For full details and how to book please use the link below

🌟 Family Support Group – Inclusive Fun for All 🌟 Our Family Support Group offers a safe, supportive, and welcoming […]

18/05/2026

🌟 Two ASD Helping Hands groups are running this week! 🌟

Looking for a welcoming space to meet others, socialise, and feel supported? We have two groups taking place this week:

💬 Teen Social Group
📅 Tuesday 19th
⏰ 6:00pm – 7:30pm
For autistic young people aged 12–17 who would like a relaxed space to chill, socialise, and meet new people.
✅ Free entry
🍬 Tuck shop available

Full details here:
https://www.asdhelpinghands.org.uk/events/teen-social-group-2/

👨‍👩‍👧 Dereham Family Support Group
📅 Saturday 23rd
📍 Now at Mid Norfolk Mencap, Dereham

Our Family Support Group is back in its new location! This group is suitable for all members of the family and is aimed at families with children up to the age of 12.

Full details and booking information can be found here:
https://www.asdhelpinghands.org.uk/events/dereham-family-support-group-7/

We’d love to see you there

07/05/2026

Aftera long hiatus our Dereham Family Support Group is back on at a new location: Mid Norfolk Mencap, Dereham.

First group is on the 23rd May 10:30-12:00. Pre booking is required using the link below.
£5.00 per child
Children over 12 and Parent / Carers are free to attend.

https://www.asdhelpinghands.org.uk/support-and-social-groups/family/

27/04/2026

Summer activities for Young Carers. Idf interested fill out the form (link below) to register your interest.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ZyZWZwTGN0KadDWRrJtINCpZW-Pwvw5EvhycZj6s6ShUOFZMM0JNSUpIV1ZYOUVZOTgzQ05aNENYWi4u&route=shorturl

27/04/2026

Family Voice Norfolk are running 2 events for Parents/Carers to have their say on the SEND Reforms.

At the sessions, you will have the opportunity to:

· Share your experiences of the current SEND system in Norfolk

· Talk about what works well and what needs to change

· Help shape future priorities for inclusion, early support and partnership working, and what a new ‘Expert at Hand’ offer should look like which includes local teams of health, education and SEND professionals.

· Tell us what you think would build trust and make SEND services work for families

Your feedback will directly inform Norfolk’s Local SEND Reform Plan, which will be submitted to Government in June this year.

Online workshop: Monday 2nd April 2026 19:00 - 20:00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/norfolk-local-send-reform-workshop-for-parent-and-carers-online-event-tickets-1987671274288?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_campaign=4394566_SEND%20Bulletin%20April%202026%20-%20young%20people%20and%20families&utm_medium=email&utm_source=GOSS%20Interactive%20Limited%20on%20behalf%20of%20Norfolk%20County%20Council&dm_t=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0

In person: 30th April 2026 12:45 - 2:45
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/norfolk-local-send-reform-workshop-for-parents-and-carers-in-person-tickets-1987671485921?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_campaign=4394566_SEND%20Bulletin%20April%202026%20-%20young%20people%20and%20families&utm_medium=email&utm_source=GOSS%20Interactive%20Limited%20on%20behalf%20of%20Norfolk%20County%20Council&dm_t=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0

24/04/2026

An couple of involvement opportunity from Family Voice Norfolk

Dear parent carers,

Family Voice Norfolk feeds into discussions at both a regional and national level. We have today received an urgent ask from our regional colleagues for an update on how Norfolk families are finding the transition of their young person from children’s services to adult services.

Family Voice Norfolk knows that transitions post 16/post 18 are often described as a ‘cliff-edge’. We know from local authority SEND Surveys, and from chatting to you, that transitions to adult services, whether these be within social care or health, can be confusing and difficult.

Would you please take a few minutes to email us on [email protected] and tell us, in terms of transitions to adult social care and adult health services:
• What is working well?
• What is not working for your young person and your family?
• Please also tell us if there are any specific issues you are encountering or have recently encountered around Preparing for Adulthood, transition into adult social services or health transitions.

The closing date for sending us your experiences and thoughts is Wednesday 6th May 2026 at which point we can collate them, anonymise them and ensure Norfolk families’ voices are heard along with other families from the Eastern Region.

20/04/2026

We will be attending the Norfolk Autism Partnership Now That's What I Call Autism! event on the 23rd April at The Forum, Norwich between 11:00 and 15:00.

With a makers market, infromation stands and autistic guest speakers it is sure to be a day of celeberation for our autistic community.

Hope to see you there.

It’s happening this Thursday!

Join us for Now That’s What I Call Autism! 2026 on Thursday 23 April, from 11am to 3pm, ath eh The Forum, Norwich for a fantastic day celebrating autistic people, voices, creativity and community.

There will be lots to explore throughout the day, including:
✨ inspiring speakers
✨ a makers market
✨ information stands
✨ and a quiet/chill out area in the American Library

Whether you want to come along to listen, browse, connect with others or just enjoy the atmosphere, we would love to welcome you.

Find out more and plan your visit here:
nowautism.norfolkautismpartnership.org.uk

Please help us spread the word by liking, sharing and tagging anyone who may be interested.