Please note that meetings at the Bear pub are suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Members can take part in weekly online sessions on Wednesday evenings from 7pm and get advice and information by phone.

• NB Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to postpone the planned event on Wednesday, August 4, at short notice. We are tying to rearrange it later in August and will inform group members direct of any new arrangements.

The session on Wednesday, August 4, will be a summer walk along the River Thames towpath and a steamer trip on the Thames between Maidenhead and Bray. The timetable is as follows:

There is no charge for the boat trip, thanks to a grant from the Maidenhead Advertiser Christmas Cracker Appeal.

Helen and Scott are also available to talk to members by telephone every Wednesday evening between 6.30pm and 7pm on the following numbers:

• Helen: 07923 910108
• Scott: 07923 910100

Group members can also get in touch with Helen by email at helen@autismberkshire.org.uk

– This group for autistic adults in Windsor and Maidenhead normally meets on Wednesday evenings at The Bear pub, 8-10 High Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1QJ. Helen Harris is the co-ordinator of this group.

All prospective members of this group must be referred by a professional support worker. Referrals can be made by downloading the Bear With Me registration form, which should be completed and returned to the Autism Berkshire office by email to admin@autismberkshire.org.uk or by post to 40 Caversham Road, Reading, RG1 7EB.

For more information about the group, call 01189 594 594 or email admin@autismberkshire.org.uk

• The group’s activities are supported by Berkshire Community Foundation, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and the Louis Baylis Trust, which makes grants to local good causes from the profits of the Maidenhead Advertiser and Windsor and Slough Express newspapers. Click here for more details of the trust’s work.

This club for autistic adults and their parents/carers meets fortnightly, normally on Monday evenings.

Due to the need to book tables at The Outlook and other venues, members are requested to tell Kevin Jackson in advance by email that they plan to attend sessions.

Forthcoming sessions:

Monday, August 2: Return to The Outlook. Meet from 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Saturday, August 14: Summer Walk to the Cunning Man, at Burghfield Bridge. Meet at Starbucks on the Riverside level at the Oracle Centre in Reading at 11am.

Monday, September 6: The Outlook. Meet from 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Monday, September 20: Bowling at Wokingham Superbowl, in Wellington Road. Meet at the venue from 6.30pm for bowling at 7pm.

Monday, October 4: The Outlook. Meet from 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Monday October 18: Meal at Pizza Hut, at The Oracle Centre, in Reading. Meet in restaurant from 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Monday, November 1: The Outlook. Meet from 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Monday, November 15: Bowling at Wokingham Superbowl, in Wellington Road. Meet at the venue from 6.30pm for bowling at 7pm.

Monday, December 6: The Outlook. Meet from 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Monday, December 20: Christmas meal, venue to be decided.

Every other meeting normally takes place at The Outlook pub, 76/78A Kings Road, Reading, RG1 3BJ from 6.30pm-9.30pm. Venues for the other meetings vary and can include bowling arcades, restaurants or walks.

For more information about the group and how to get involved, call 01189 594 594 or email the co-ordinator, Kevin Jackson, at 197club@autismberkshire.org.uk

The 197 Club is funded by Berkshire Community Foundation and the Earley Charity.

Autism Berkshire is now running additional trampolining sessions in Bracknell for older teenagers and young adults, aged 14 to 25, with autism spectrum conditions.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are not currently registering new young people and adults for these sessions.

As trampolining places are in high demand, we will give priority to families who use our family support services, including autism advice workshops.

If you have any questions about our trampolining sessions, please email contact@autismberkshire.org.uk or call 01189 594 594 (option 1) and leave a message.

• Please note that a parent or carer of all 14 to 17-year-olds must stay throughout these classes, and that adults aged 18+ must also be accompanied by a parent or carer during classes in Bracknell.

Sessions in Bracknell are held at Bracknell Trampoline Centre, in Coningsby, Bracknell, RG12 7BA, from 5.15pm to 6.15pm or 6.15pm to 7.15pm on Sundays. The centre is in the grounds of Brakenhale School.

Forthcoming sessions: To be advised.

• These classes are supported by a grant from Sport England.

Autism Berkshire runs trampolining sessions for children and young people aged five to 17 with autism spectrum conditions at venues in Reading and Bracknell, funded by the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Classes are currently fully subscribed.

As places are in high demand, we give priority to families who use our family support services, including autism advice workshops.

If you have any questions about our trampolining classes, please contact Sarah Brown at the Autism Berkshire office on 01189 594 594 or email admin@autismberkshire.org.uk

Sessions in Reading are held on Saturdays at Meadway Sports Centre, Conwy Close, RG30 4BZ.

Meadway Sports Centre: To be advised.

Sessions in Bracknell are held on Sundays at Bracknell Trampoline Centre, Coningsby, Bracknell, RG12 7BA. The centre is in the grounds of Brakenhale School.

Forthcoming sessions: Families whose children are attending sessions will be notified direct about arrangements.

Our trampolining sessions for children are funded by a grant from BBC Children in Need.

We recently asked parents if their children would be continuing to attend trampolining sessions and were delighted to get lots of complimentary comments about the classes, along with their responses. Here is a selection.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Autism Berkshire and Children in Need for the years that both my boys have benefited from trampolining. Rebound therapy has had enormously positive effects on both the boys and we count ourselves as very fortunate to have had access to these fantastic sessions.”

“This is just to confirm that G is loving the trampolining sessions, and that he would most definitely like to keep his spot. Many thanks for this, it’s made a real difference in his Saturdays!”

“Fantastic club and coaching. Thanks for getting us a place.”

“Yes, both C and D would like to continue with the trampolining – they both enjoy it a lot!”

“We would love to keep our place please. K still enjoys the club very much.”

“My son would like to continue attending the trampolining sessions at Crosfields. He really enjoys this activity and the tutoring he receives from Dugald.”

“R is enjoying trampolining and really keen to continue.”

Autism Berkshire arranges monthly fun days for its members and service users and their families. These are held on Sundays at the Thames Valley Adventure Playground, in Taplow, near Maidenhead, SL6 0PR. WATCH: What some of our members say about Family Fun Days

The fun days give families the chance to relax and have fun in a safe, stimulating environment, specially designed for adults and children with special needs. The events are also an opportunity to meet other parents and siblings of people living with autism.

There is lots to do indoors and outdoors, whatever the weather, with the facilities including a sandpit and other outdoor play equipment, bikes, a soft playroom, sensory room and art and craft activities.

Please note that fun days are only open to Autism Berkshire members and service users and their families, unless we have spare tickets available close to the date of the event.

If you are not a member, please join us to be able to book tickets. Click here for details of membership.

We will notify members ands service users in email newsletters when we open bookings for fun day tickets.

We always need volunteers to help set up before and clear up after the fun days. If you are interested, please email contact@autismberkshire.org.uk

• For more information about the facilities at the Thames Valley Adventure Playground, see https://tvap.org.uk/