PACT for Autism

19/10/2026

We have a few places left on our Art Empower session this Saturday.
10am -11.30 am in Harlow

This is a space to be creative and explore different themes, the session is led by Hannah a theraputic Arts practitioner.
This is a small and welcoming group

Please see link below with all details including a video.

Art Empower - 11 - 18 years - Our Art Empower session is for girls, including Transgender and Non-binary individuals - exploring identity, self-esteem and expression through art.

19/10/2026

Sharing for information

🎭 FREE PANTOMIME TICKETS FOR SHORT BREAKS ESSEX FAMILIES! 🎄

We're delighted to be offering two free pantomime opportunities this Christmas for registered Short Breaks Essex families. These are relaxed and exclusive performances.

🌱 Jack and the Beanstalk at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
📅 15 December 2026 5pm
🎟️ Tickets released 16 October 2026 through SEND Sensation - Essex Short Breaks: Clubs & Activities

Please visit their page for more information.

🧞 Aladdin at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon
📅 2nd January 2027 11am
🎟️ Tickets released 19 October 2026 through Butterflies Clubs Essex

Please visit their page for more information.

Both performances include:

✅ British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation
✅ Accessibility support and adjustments
✅ Free tickets for Short Breaks Essex families

Please note:

• Maximum of 4 tickets per family
• A valid Short Breaks Essex ID is required to book, the person who's passport ID is used must be in attendance.
• Families may only attend one of the two performances

Tickets sold out very quickly last year, so make sure you have your Short Breaks Essex ID ready and keep an eye on provider websites and social media channels for booking details.

We look forward to helping families enjoy a magical festive theatre experience this Christmas! 🎭✨

19/10/2026

Looking forward to seeing you today Parents. Grandparents and Carers at Cuppa and Connect -SPACE are joining us to share their service as part of the Essex SEND Local Offer see link in comments for more details

Harlow Playhouse 11.30 am - 1pm

18/10/2026

Sharing for information from Roots to Wellbeing .

17/10/2026

Sharing for information

Your sensory needs matter too.

***** NOW FULLY BOOKED ****Join our Sensory Needs as an Autistic Parent peer support session on Friday 23 October, 10:30–11:30 am.

We will talk about sensory needs and sensory processing in everyday life, including overwhelm, busy environments, competing sensory needs and things that help.

A space to share experiences and explore what helps when your own needs and your family's needs differ.

Free, online and fully funded by the National Lottery. You are welcome whether diagnosed, self-identified, exploring or questioning your Autistic identity.

Listening is participation. Your camera is optional and you do not have to speak.

Find out more and join: https://www.autisticparentsuk.org/event-details/sensory-needs-as-an-autistic-parent

17/10/2026

Kim and Emma had a lovely day at Harlow Pride today, a fantastic event that is always a joy to attend - great to see lots of familiar faces and meet new people too.

16/10/2026

We are busy getting ready for the Great Autumn Gathering hosted by PACT for Autism and Plant Pots and Wellies on the 25th October - have you got your tickets?

We would like to thank Hatter's Farm and Cammas Hall Farm for donating 50 🎃 each
And
Parndon Wood Nature Reserve For storing them for us

The Great Autumn Gathering promises a fun-filled day for families and people of all ages, with a wide range of activities including crafts, crazy golf, archery, welly wanging, drumming workshops, and much more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in our unique Woodland Folk Trail, where they will journey through the woodland, meet a variety of enchanting woodland characters, and collect trinkets along the way.

While the event embraces the beauty and magic of the autumn season, we would like to emphasise that this is not a Halloween event. There are no scary characters or fright-based activities. Instead, the focus is on creativity, nature, community, play and family-friendly fun in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Link to more information and to book tickets https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/the-great-autumn-gathering

15/10/2026

A huge THANKYOU to Mark for hosting his second quiz night to raise funds for PACT for Autism
THANKYOU to everyone who supported the event by attending and donating,
every penny counts !
💝 £808. 02 raised 🥳👏

PACT relies on grants,fundraising activities and donations to deliver it's support.

14/10/2026

Connect with our team
Other Parents and Carers
Other services

On Monday 19th Oct
at Harlow Playhouse
11.30 -1pm
We have SPACE joining us from Essex SEND Local Offer to share about the peer support , online information sessions and more that they can offer.

Thursday 12th November we have our online Connect sessions.

12.15 - 1pm we have Stacey joining us from Essex Family Forum to update you on their work and to seek your views and feedback on services in Essex..

8pm - 9 pm - join our team for some time to connect over a cuppa online

Please see link below to our website for more details https://www.pactforautism.org.uk/content/34/Parent-Carers-Connect.htm

14/10/2026

🚍 SEND Transport Update: Your Feedback Is Making a Difference

We met with Essex County Council Education Transport last week, to go through the latest feedback from families — including comments from our Graffiti Wall, social media responses and direct messages. Your voices shaped the whole conversation, and there are some important updates to share.

🌟 Positive developments

✔ Training finally rolled out Online training for drivers and PAs (epilepsy awareness, autism awareness, Prevent, vulnerable children) was launched in August. New staff are already completing it, and existing staff will follow. We are hoping to view it ourselves shortly to see exactly what staff will be receiving.

✔ Stronger leadership There’s a new Lead for Education & Adult Social Care Transport, and we will be meeting her soon — a great opportunity to strengthen parent voice.

✔ Willingness to act The Transport team are visiting some schools to observe loadings and resolve issues directly. They asked for more feedback from families so they can challenge contractors more effectively.

⚠️ Key issues we raised on your behalf

Meet & Greets Contractors like 24/7 and Kinect are contractually required to provide these — but many families didn’t receive one in August/September. Essex Transport have already challenged contractors such as 24/7. Clear evidence from families helps strengthen this challenge, so we have recently published a poll to find out how many of you got a meet & greet this year.

Communication problems We highlighted repeated cases of incorrect information, missed calls, and families being told things that simply aren’t true. Essex Transport are aware this needs improvement.

Equipment misinformation Families have been told they must buy certain equipment before their child can access transport. This is now being escalated as Essex County Council will fund any equipment needed for “educational access”.

Overcrowding & inappropriate mixes Routes can be changed if they’re not suitable. Families should continue reporting concerns to [email protected] so they can be reviewed.

Double runs We raised a case where a child has been arriving at 10:30 and leaving before 2pm for over a week. Essex Transport agreed this is highly unusual and unacceptable — it’s now being looked into.

PA allocation clarity PAs are automatically added when more than three children/young people with SEND are on a vehicle, regardless of medical needs.

💬 What happens next?

Your feedback is driving these conversations — and it’s being heard at the highest levels. Keep sharing your experiences on our Graffiti Wall (Link below) so that we can use these in our future conversations with Essex Transport to hold them to account. Please also email any issues to Essex Passenger Transport so ECC can track issues and challenge providers effectively.

https://essexfamilyforum.org/have-your-say/feedback-wall