Local Services and Activities

Support for Neurodivergent

The Autistic Women’s Club

A monthly Support group for Neurodivergent women and non-binary people.

The Umbrella Group

Parent-led support group, for parents of children and young adults with ASD.

Tel: 07450210911

Autistic UK

UK wide organisation run by autistic people promoting neurodiversity and autistic rights. “Nothing about autism without autistics”. Very comprehensive Covid-19 information on their website.

Autism Unlimited

Autism Unlimited exists to support and empower autistic children, adults and their families. They partner with them to find solutions and provide educational and life skills training.

Tel: 01202 483360
Email: info@autism-unlimited.org

Curly Hair Project

Founded by Alis Rowe, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s aged 22, the Curly Hair Project offers training and workshops throughout the country, including in Dorset. Currently all their workshops are taking place online.

The Spectrum Magazine

Magazine produced by and for autistic people. Download for free or you can subscribe to receive a paper copy (Formerly known as Asperger United).

Autism Unlimited

Local Charity Autism unlimited offer both support and resources on neurodivergences.

Dorset Adult Aspergers Support (DAAS)

This group offers support as well as meet ups/ group events.

Community Adult Autism Service (CAAS)

NHS service offering diagnostic assessments, post-diagnostic support and specialist interventions including sensory integration therapy. Locations in Poole and Dorchester.

Autscape

Autscape is a conference with a difference. Rather than talking to a primarily non-autistic audience about autism, this conference is specifically by and for autistic people.  Currently runs once a year in the summer. It is not known yet whether it is going ahead this year due to Covid-19 but check their website.

National Autistic Society

Help, support and information for autistic people, their families and carers and professionals.
Helpline: 0808 800 4104 or use their web contact form.

NB: During the coronavirus pandemic, you can only contact them by webform.

Stay fit

Parkrun

parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.

Exercises to improve balance and muscle strength

Stay Active at Home – Strength and balance exercises for older adults – YouTube

Poole Joggers

Poole Joggers is a running club with a difference – it is an informal running club catering specifically for all levels of runners who wish to go running as part of a group. It’s free and friendly and no-one gets left behind!

Physical activity guidance for older adults

Support for Carers

Carers Direct

CRISP (Carers Resource Information & Support Programme)

Works with Bournemouth and Poole councils and the NHS to offer a range of support for people caring for someone who lives in Bournemouth and Poole.

Join the Carer’s Information Service below.

Dementia Café at The Aldbury – Ringwood Road All Welcome Every Wednesday 10:00am

Pokesdown Memory Lane at St James Church, Pokesdown, BH7 6DW. First Saturday of the month 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm supporting people living with dementia, memory loss, carers and those looking for company.

Contact Ruth Crosland on 01202 474067 to book a place.

Coffee Morning at Heather Tearoom 10:00 am – 2:00 pm every Wednesday run by Care Curios Hub, 233-235 Asley Road, Parkstone, Poole, BH14 9DS

Carers UK

National charity offering support and championing the rights of carers. Offers an advice line, support forum and useful information.

Poole Joggers

Poole Joggers is a running club with a difference – it is an informal running club catering specifically for all levels of runners who wish to go running as part of a group. It’s free and friendly and no-one gets left behind!

The BCP Carer Support Service

The BCP Carer Support Service provide an advice, information and signposting service for carers looking after someone living in the BCP Council area. They are a friendly and compassionate team who also organise events for carers and can support you to take a break from your caring role by offering local beach hut rentals and holiday lodges. They can also help you to find local support groups, training and services that may help you further to manage your caring role. 

Carer Support Scheme

FOCUS offers emotional and practical support through befriending and mentoring carers.

MyTime – Young Carers Support

Levelling the playing field for young carers.

South West Advocacy Network (SWAN)

This integrated adult advocacy service is provided across Dorset including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and includes statutory and generic advocacy elements.

Food and Finance Support

BCP Food Map

This map shows the variety of community food support that is available throughout Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, and how you can access it.

BCP Cost of living help

Cost of living help | BCP

Benefits and Work

Site offering comprehensive guides which take you through the process of claiming disability benefits and appealing wrong decisions. Site also has a support forum There is an annual subscription of £19.95 to access the guides and the site. If you can afford it, it is very helpful.

Diverse Abilities Dorset

Benefits advice. They do make a small charge for their services. Services are still running and appointments are offered over the phone.

Money Advice Service

Free and impartial money advice funded by the government.
· Advice and guides to help improve your finances
· Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
· Support over the phone and online

Warm Spaces

A map of local welcome spaces, including places of worship, community centres, libraries, and cafes.

Access Dorset

Offers benefits and financial advice as well as advice on rights and discrimination, benefits and financial advice, Independent Living, aids and adaptations in the home, social and leisure activities, community and personal safety and transport. Provided by staff and volunteers with lived experience of the barriers faced by disabled people.

Citizens Advice

Offering advice and support on all benefits and help with filling forms and the appeals process.

Claim Disability Benefits

The main government website giving information about disability benefits and how to claim.

Money Matters – My Life My Care

Information about welfare benefits as well as paying for care and managing your money for people living in Dorset.