Neurodiverse Community of Practice

The Autism Community Research Network @ Southampton (ACoRNS) is a research-practice partnership that aims to improve the lives of autistic children and young people within education through addressing the marginalisation and underrepresentation of their views and experiences. Working together with special and mainstream educational settings from early years through to Higher Education to address this.

Aspens’ mission is to provide high quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.

Over the years, Autism Hampshire has developed and delivers high quality services that meet the diverse needs of autistic people in Hampshire and the surrounding area. We provide autism-focused Training, Domiciliary Care, Supported Living services, and an Information, Advice and Guidance Team. It is our vision to create a better future for autistic people. It is our mission to create opportunities, challenge perceptions, enhance choices and provide high quality services to meet the diverse needs of autistic people.

Dingley’s Promise is passionate about giving every child with special educational needs and disabilities the best start in life.

• Specialist nursery provision, holiday playschemes and family support
• Delivering high quality training for early years professionals
• Using our National Voice to raise awareness of challenges faced by families

A Family Hub is a place for children and families to enjoy stay and play sessions, find a quiet space to breastfeed babies, get advice on infant feeding, get healthcare support and much more. Staff within the hubs can help you find the information you need from employment to healthcare support. There are seven Family Hub locations across city each providing a range of sessions and support for local families.

Visit our Family Hubs webpages.

The Neurodiversity Connections Hub has been created as a place for neurodivergent people, their parents/carers and professionals to receive valuable individualised advice from a variety of organisations who are working together to provide a joined up approach.

Southampton Autism Support Service provides support, guidance, training, and advocacy for anyone who is Autistic, may be Autistic, or supports someone who is. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself, your child, or someone you care for—you are welcome here.

We are a non-judgemental, inclusive service—run by the people, for the people. Every member of our team is either a trained professional with lived experience of Autism or has personal, first-hand experience.

SENDIASS aims to empower parents/carers, children, and young people to play an active and informed role in making decisions about their education, health, and social care.

Southampton Inclusion Partnership (SIP) aims to provide a sustainable, aspirational and inspirational partnership that empowers the learning and lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). As such, it provides high quality training and development for people at all stages of their career, from teaching assistants and support staff, trainee and early career teachers through to middle and senior leaders, working within both mainstream and specialist settings. Services include an outreach service commissioned by Southampton City Council. The service works with a range of local, regional and national partners and is led and managed by Springwell School.

SoCo Music Project provides music making activities that engage and inspire. We believe that whatever your ability and whatever your circumstances, you should be able to access music because we know it can have a profound effect on your life. We’re passionate about this, and so we work hard to make music available to many different people.

The Sleep Charity is one of the leading, independent expert voices on sleep issues in the UK and we are here to help everyone get a better night’s sleep. Whether it’s advice, education or support for children, teenagers, adults, workplaces or professionals, we are on hand with expert knowledge, resources and accredited training.

Monty’s Bike Hub is a social enterprise and charity supporting all things cycling in the east of Southampton, whilst empowering local people with new skills and opportunities. We run a range of services during the week which you can drop in to or you can book us in for a bespoke session for you or your organisation. See website for youth engagement services, youth bike workshops, bike ability and alternative provision sessions.