We’re delighted to announce that Aspens’ East Sussex Children’s Services are expanding their service to provide new groups and holiday sessions for young people on the autism spectrum or with a learning disability, and their families, across Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Uckfield.

The groups, which are an expansion of the existing short breaks activities offered by Aspens in the county, will run on Saturdays or Sundays during term time and are open to young people aged 8-25 who live in East Sussex and have a diagnosis of ASC (autism spectrum condition) or a learning disability.

With supervision from our highly trained support staff, the sessions will encourage social interaction, boosting communication skills and relationship building. Activities will include arts and crafts, cooking and support with life-skills.

In addition to these groups, specialist sessions for those with more challenging behaviours and complex needs will be provided.

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) have provided funding for these sessions as they recognized a need to support young people displaying challenging behavior to access groups and activities with others of a similar age.

Family fun days and holiday activity sessions and days out will also run during the May and October half-term and the summer holidays.

Rhianna has attended Aspens’ young people’s groups for over 10 years. She said:” At the group I don’t feel judged. I can be myself and so can my friends. I don’t know what my life would be like if I didn’t have Aspens. I wouldn’t have any other social interaction. I would feel very isolated if I didn’t have the group.”

To find out more please contact Curtis on [email protected].

Aspens provides an integrated network of services for children, young people and adults on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities, and their families, across Kent, Sussex, Bexley and Surrey. Find out more here.