Category Archives: Families

Re-opening of the NAS Cambridge Carers Support Group

Our monthly Carers Support Group is back!

Our monthly carers support group is a great chance to meet other parents and carers facing similar challenges, swap ideas, and find out about support and activities in the local area.  Anyone caring for a child or adult with autism is very welcome to attend any of the meetings for a chat and a cuppa, no need to book.

Please note we are now in a new venue, at the Orchard Park Community Centre

The group runs at 7.30-9.00pm on the first Tuesday each month at the Orchard Park Community Centre, Central Avenue, Orchard Park, Cambridge CB4 2EZ.  Upcoming dates for the group are:

Online NAS Cambridge Carers Support Group Meeting

7.30-8.30pm Wednesday 31st March

As our monthly carers support group has been suspended during lockdown, we are now offering the same support in an online Zoom meeting format. This will be a chance to meet other parents and carers facing similar challenges, swap ideas, and find out about support and activities in the local area. Anyone caring for a child or adult with ASD is very welcome to attend.

Link to attend Zoom meeting:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96905100290?pwd=ams5bDNBTThJQnlNazk1WHFpSXpvdz09

Meeting ID: 969 0510 0290

Passcode: 977951

Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE) Advisory Panel and Steering Group: Call For Members

ACE was created by the charity the Autism Research Trust, and is home to Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre (ARC) and will also provide clinical, educational and life skills services across the lifespan, for autistic people and their families. The mission of ACE is to promote wellbeing for autistic people, and to promote autism research.

You can read more about ACE here.

They are now looking for members of the autism community to be involved in the shaping and direction of ACE. ACE is looking for people to join their Steering Group or to be a panel member.  

Who can be involved?           

  • autistic adults
  • parents and/or carers of autistic people
  • people with an autistic family member
  • clinicians, educators, social care workers, and other relevant professionals
  • employers
  • researchers

For more information and how to apply see the online form

Cavendish School online launch event

The Cavendish School, the world’s first International Baccalaureate (IB) special autism school is officially set to open on the outskirts of Cambridge in Autumn 2021.

Based in Impington, The Cavendish School will also be Cambridgeshire’s first state maintained special free school provision for young people with autism.

Join the virtual launch taking place via Zoom on Wednesday 21 October at 6pm, to meet the school team, hear about the school’s journey to date, key updates on plans for the school, what lies ahead of the opening next year and, most importantly, get answers to any questions you may have.

For more information, including how to book a place and ask questions visit: http://www.thecavendishschool.org.uk/

Visits to the Cavendish School

The Cavendish School is Cambridgeshire’s new special free school for young people with autism, scheduled to open in September 2021.

If you are interested in finding out more about The Cavendish School, and would like to attend a socially distanced group visit at one of the following times, please email
jbickley@TMET.org.uk to book your place:

  • 10am on Monday 14 September
  • 5pm on Monday 21 or Wednesday 30 September

New National Autistic Society website

The National Autistic Society are updating their national website at www.autism.org.uk

It will be launched by the end of August and you can see a preview here. The website is a great resource with lots of information and a searchable directory of service providers.

Our website here at the Cambridge Branch will still be the same!

Education Advice Service in Fenland & East Cambs

The SEND Information Advice Support Service (SENDIASS) is expanding its service in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire. This service is available to provide support to parents/carers of young people with special education needs and disabilities. This support is currently available via telephone or Skype drop ins.

For more information and to contact the team see the Fenland & East Cambs Opportunity Area website