Autism Hub Chester
Jo Southall • June 26, 2022
At the West Cheshire Autism Hub, we provide free, personalised support to autistic adults aged 16 and above, as well as their family. This can be accessed whenever needed throughout their lifespan.
There are a number of areas of direct support offered by the West Cheshire Autism Hub, such as:
• helping alleviate loneliness and isolation
• encouraging self-advocacy and mentoring services
• autism specific advice and support, including pre and post-diagnostic support
• a variety of different activities and events.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Our staff team is made up of people with lived experience of autism and professionals with experience of working with autistic adults.
- You can consult with our staff in a welcoming environment, whether that be at The Bluecoat or virtually.
- We will help you identify the gaps and barriers you are experiencing to receive the support you need.
- We will strive to make information we give you clear and concise, providing written information wherever possible.
- We will be flexible in our approach and open to any reasonable adjustments you need.
WHAT WE DO
- Consultation, working with you to identify the help you need.
- Signpost to existing services offered by our partners.
- Help you navigate the various services on offer.
- Emotional support.
- Autism specific bespoke services.
- Support the wider autism community and families, such as parents, partners, siblings and grandparents.
- Through peer connections, offer the unique opportunity to chat with other autistic adults in the relaxed and friendly environment of the Autism Hub.
- Support the transition to adulthood as we have strong links with local schools and the University of Chester.
- Offer pre and post-diagnostic support. Our post-diagnostic, six-week course, which explores issues relating to adult diagnosis, is in development.
- Promote advocacy.
ACTIVITIES CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE
- Helens artsy sessions entitled ‘getting to know me’ (taking place via Zoom)
- Helens Christmastime artsy sessions (taking place via Zoom)
- Claire’s cooking sessions
- Virtual Reality (VR) – taking place at the hub on a Thursday
Coffee Events for parents & carers. Everyone is welcome! Parents will be able to catch up with other parents. Children are welcome!
Neurodevelopmental Support Resources
West Cheshire Parent Carer Forum has worked with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Autism service to coproduce a visual online noticeboard, known as a ‘padlet’.
Keep up to date on all of the works we are involved in to ensure that your experiences are heard, events coming up and signposting to services and events in the area. Read our newsletter and our new BLOG area on our website.
National SEND/AP Leadership Programme led by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI). We were proud to be the only Local Authority (LA) and Parent Carer Forum (PCF) team to take part together.
Koala North West’s Thriving Families programme offers one-to-one, tailored support for parents, carers, and children aged 0–19 (or up to 25 with SEND). Whether it's parenting guidance, mental well-being, or strengthening family relationships, we're here to assist you in a way that works best for you.
On May 14th, 2025, families, professionals, and local leaders came together at the Holiday Inn, Ellesmere Port for our “Preparation for Adulthood” (PfA) event. This pivotal day focused on ensuring that young people with SEND have the right support, from the early teenage years through to adult life.
Last week, we welcomed Rhiannon Gogh—carer, Chartered Financial Adviser, and founder of the Carers Academy—to lead a powerful webinar on financial planning for parent carers.
In May 2024, we published the results of our latest Parent Carer Survey — and what we heard was powerful. Families told us, once again, that the system is still not working for them. Communication, co-production, and access to timely support remain major challenges. But this time, something shifted.
To register for this event, please click below and we will send you a link nearer the time.
Endorphins March News - available to download and read.