Members of Autism Berkshire’s Bear With Me social group for autistic adults will mark a special milestone at their meeting tonight – its 10th anniversary.
Just six people attended the first meeting in September 2007. Today there are more than 50 members on the register, who will celebrate the occasion with a specially-decorated birthday cake, pictured above.
The group was formed to respond to concerns about feelings of isolation among autistic adults living in Maidenhead.
Meetings were first held at Que Pasa, then at the Pond House pub, but with more people attending the weekly meetings, it was decided in 2011 to move to The Bear, in Maidenhead’s High Street.
The pub’s name led to the group’s members deciding to call it Bear With Me, reflecting the difficulties people on the autism spectrum can have with communication.
The Bear With Me Group meets at the pub every Wednesday evening from 7pm to 9pm. New members are always welcome to join.
Group members also enjoy occasional excursions and go out for a Christmas meal.
For more information, please email the co-ordinator, Helen Harris, at Helen@autismberkshire.org.uk or call the Autism Berkshire office on 01189 594 594.
Click here for a gallery of photographs from a Bear With Me meeting.
Autism Berkshire also runs social groups for autistic adults in Reading and Bracknell.
Click here and scroll down to the section about Activities for Adults for more details of the Bear With Me group, the 197 Club in Reading and the Bracknell Adult Social Group and how to get involved.
