Autism Berkshire

03/06/2026

The Cineworld cinema at The Lexicon in Bracknell has an autism-friendly relaxed screening of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (12A), this Sunday, June 7, at 11am.
- Click the link to watch a trailer for the film

Watch the 'F...

03/06/2026

Free tickets are available for the next Early Birds morning at the Science Museum in London.
The event on Saturday, July 4, from 8am to 11am, is suitable for families with children aged 4 to 15, who are autistic and/or have sensory needs. Siblings are welcome to attend.
Its theme will be all things to do with Space - visitors will be able to enjoy some space exploration themed hands-on workshops and craft activities, take a journey through the Solar System at a Space on a Sphere talk and explore the Star Trek Warp Trail and discover how the sci-fi films inspired real-world science.
Please note that all tickets must be booked in advance.
The museum is in Exhibition Road, close to South Kensington Underground station.
- Click the link for details of Early Birds events at the museum and to book

Early Birds is a relaxed morning for families with members who need a quieter environment to enjoy the museum free of the hustle and bustle of the general public.

03/06/2026

The Benefact Group's Movement for Good scheme offers £1,000 and £5,000 donations to charities in a series of draws throughout the year.
Please take a moment to nominate us.
The more nominations that we receive, the better our chances of landing a donation to help us support autistic people and their families in Berkshire.
- Click the link to support us https://tinyurl.com/3uvnn6y6
NB: Please note that the nomination form uses our official registered name, Berkshire Autistic Society. Our charity number is 1076217.

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

03/06/2026

The Wokingham Carers' Partnership is holding a series of events to mark Carers' Week 2026 next week.
They include drop-in sessions where family carers who live in the borough council area can get advice and information, a games night and an afternoon tea.
- See the poster for more details.
If you have any questions or want to book places at the events, email [email protected] or call 0118 959 4242.

03/06/2026

The Hidden Disabilities sunflower lanyard scheme is a discreet way to let people know that you or a family member is autistic or has another hidden disability and may need support or more time.
The lanyards are recognised by staff at many businesses and locations, including Heathrow and Gatwick airports, many British and European airlines, and major supermarkets. All the UK's train operators and Network Rail have trained staff about the sunflower lanyard.
Many of the businesses that support the scheme will provide free lanyards and sunflower cards to customers on request.
- Click the link for more details of the scheme, to buy special sunflower cards indicating which condition affects you and also for carers of a disabled person, and to find out where the lanyard is recognised in the UK and abroad https://hdsunflower.com/uk/

03/06/2026

Autistic adults who are registered with a Berkshire GP surgery - and their parents/carers - are welcome to attend the Berkshire Adult Autism Support Service’s free face-to-face problem-solving and advice meet-up in Bracknell next Tuesday, June 9, from 6.30pm to 8pm, at Bracknell Open Learning Centre, in Rectory Lane.
- Click the link for more details of all the service's forthcoming meet-ups in Reading, Bracknell and Slough and how to register in advance - you are also welcome to drop in on the day https://www.autismberkshire.org.uk/problem-solving-and-advice-meet-ups/
If you cannot make it to a meet-up, you can contact the service for help at any time by email at [email protected] or by calling 01189 594 594 (option 2) and leaving a voicemail message - one of our advisers will get in touch.

03/06/2026

Crystal Man, who is studying for an MSc in Clinical Psychology at the University of Reading, is researching the relationship between autistic peer support and mental health for her dissertation.
She is asking adults, aged 18+, who have an autism diagnosis or self-identify as autistic, to complete a short survey asking questions about autistic peer support, social identity, depressive symptoms and your wellbeing.
- Click the link or scan the QR code for the online survey form https://uor-redcap.reading.ac.uk/surveys/?s=LT4XLXCJHPPFKXHA

03/06/2026

Bracknell Forest Council's cabinet has accepted a plan to improve communication about SEND services and support in the area - see below for details

The council's overview and scrutiny panel recently looked at how well information is shared and how people are listened to, as part of the SEND improvement work.

Thank you to all the parents, carers, children, young people and support groups who shared their views. Your feedback helped shape the set of recommendations:
- improving the communications between everyone involved in SEND
- giving young people a better understanding of their rights
- refining and updating the customer care charter
- making key stages of the SEND process easier to understand

The next step is to build stronger working relationships between families, the council and partner organisations, so children and young people get the support they need at the right time.

Find out more about the review and the recommendations on the council website. Link in comments ⬇️

02/06/2026

Little Engines, the Engine Shed's group for pre-school children who are autistic or are on the autism pathway and love trains, is meeting next Monday, June 8, at Unit 12b in Southview Business Park, off Marsack Street in Caversham, Reading, from 10am to 11.15am.
The sessions, which are provided in partnership with SEND play specialists Together One Step At A Time, are free of charge and free snacks and drinks are provided.
There is no need to book, just drop in.
If you have any questions, email Sarah at [email protected]

02/06/2026

The CAN Card, which is for children, teenagers and young adults aged up to 25 who live in the Wokingham Borough Council area and have a diagnosed disability, now has a new look.
The card offers holders concessions at a number of local leisure attractions.
Applications for the card can be made online at https://directory.wokingham.gov.uk/kb5/wokingham/directory/dcr.page
The website page has details of the types of evidence that will be accepted to support an application for the CAN Card.
Please note that you will need to register for an account with the council's community directory before you begin an application, if you are not already registered.
If you have are not able to use the new online form, or have problems completing it, email [email protected]
- The old-style (yellow) CAN Cards will continue to be valid until their expiry dates. The council has contacted locations that accept the card to ensure that both designs will be accepted during the transition period.