Autism Support
As of 2024, we have a new ASD Support Officer here to help you
in your caring role and in supporting someone with ASD.
We can help you access information, advice and support including:
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Free Autism Training for carers
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Activities and workshops
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Information and guidance to help you in your caring role
Monthly ASD Support Group
Are you caring for someone living with ASD?
If yes you are welcome to join us once a month for a chat over a cuppa or
delicious lunch for just £5 including a drink.
Our staff will be available to offer support, advice & answer any questions.
It is also an opportunity to share experiences and support one another.
1st Thursday of every month
10am - 12 noon
Carers Link Accrington
Community Facility,
Blackburn Road, BB5 1LE
STARTING FROM 10TH JANUARY 2025
1st Friday of every month
10am - 12 noon
Downtown, Charter Walk Shopping Centre,
Burnley, BB11 1py
Cygnet Autism Training
From October 2024, we will be offering Cygnet Autism Support - a programme for carers of those living with Autism under the age of 18.
The Cygnet programme was developed by Barnardo’s with the support of parents and/or care givers, for
parents and care givers!
The course aims to create a supportive environment of carers who may be experiencing similar challenges, and to present information on autism that provides opportunities for you to consider and adapt and/or reinforce the way you support your child’s needs.
We ask that if you wish to undertake the course, you try to attend all sessions, are open to participating in activities, and remember confidentiality of those sharing within the groups. This will make the course more enjoyable and effective for all!
The courses will be running weekly for 6/7 consecutive weeks with our dedicated ASD Support Officer, with more dates and locations in 2025 to be announced:
Accrington:
Wednesdays 10am - 1pm
Carers Link Community Facility, Blackburn Road, BB5 1lE
30th October 2024
6th November 2024
13th November 2024
20th November 2024
27th November 2024
4th December 2024
11th December 2024
Burnley:
Wednesdays 10am - 1pm
Down Town, Charter Walk Shopping Centre (above New Look) Burnley, BB11 1QJ
8th January 2025
15th January 2025
22nd January 2025
29th January 2025
5th February 2025
12th February 2025
Call us to book!
Autism Support Guide
We have developed a guide for services and local support, though we do recommend that you contact each group as they may be operating differently.
You can find a copy of our Autism Support Guide by
If you run a community support group and wish to appear in the guide, please call us on (01254) 387444 or email info@carerslinklancashire.co.uk.
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Burnley FC Sensory Room
Burnley FC's brand-new sensory room is a specially designed and designated space for those with special educational needs (SEN) or sensory processing issues, to be able to watch a Burnley FC match at Turf Moor, away from the noise of the crowds.
The Sensory Room offers a safe and calming space with unrestricted views of the pitch from behind a sound-proof glass window.
To express your interest in the Sensory Room at Burnley FC, please fill out the form here.
To find out more, click here: TURF MOOR SENSORY ROOM | BurnleyFC (burnleyfootballclub.com)
Just A.S.C. Us (Autistic Spectrum Community) Meet Ups for Adults
Run by Autistics for Autistics over 18 years of age, living in and around Accrington, Clitheroe and Burnley, providing a variety of social events, outings, friendship, wellbeing sessions, mentoring services, chat rooms, advice, and one to one support.
All Autistic adults welcome, diagnosed, newly diagnosed and in the process of.
Meetings and chats that let you 'be who you really are'.
Contact Danielle or Ann on 07818808593 / 07876772126 or email Danielle: daniellewainwright@icloud.com
Autism and Sleep Guide - Spectrum Gaming
Many autistic young people struggle with sleep, but also find that typical "sleep hygiene strategies" often aren't helpful.
Spectrum Gaming have written a guide to autism and sleep! The guide is free to use, access and share and can be downloaded here.
Information and services
Lancashire County Council Inclusion Service
The Inclusion Service (previously the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or SEND Service) advises and supports parents, carers, families, and professionals with the additional needs of children and young people.
Inclusion Service - Lancashire County Council
Lancashire SEND IAS
Lancashire SEND IAS is a statutory service that provides information, advice and support on special educational needs and disability (SEND).What we do at Lancashire SEND IAS - Lancashire SEND (lancssendias.org.uk)
Sunshine Support
Advice, support and consultancy in the following areas:
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Requesting statutory needs assessments, managing the assessment process and advising on mediation and appeals (EHCPs & IDPs)
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Applying for disability benefits (PIP and DLA)
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Supporting, and representing, at tribunals
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Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) Letters
Head to Parents - Sunshine Support (sunshine-support.org)
Pendle Support
Pendle Support are a Domiciliary ( Home ) Care Service providing support services to people in East Lancashire and Pendle. We specialise in providing support for people with Learning Disabilities who may have associated Physical Disabilities and Mental Health issues.
Pendle Support – A leading provider of Social Care and Support in East Lancashire and Pendle
Pluss
Pluss is an award-winning social enterprise that provides intensive support to help people discover their unique potential in work. We deliver a range of employability and wellbeing programmes on behalf of businesses, local authorities and the NHS. With a proven track record spanning more than 45 years, we are recognised as one of the leading social enterprises in the UK. Our purpose is to empower people to discover and realise their unique potential.
Lancashire Outreach Service
A community based service providing support to individuals in the community and at home. We are an autism specific outreach service that offers highly tailored support packages. We encourage the people we support to develop their independent living skills and take part in activities in their community.
National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk)
Lancashire and Cumbria autism support hub
Free advice, support and guidance for autistic children
The Lancashire and Cumbria Autism Support Hub is a brand-new dedicated space that brings autistic people, clinicians, and like-minded parents with real experiences together to share knowledge, ideas and experiences.
Lancashire and Cumbria autism support hub - Lancashire County Council
Sibs
Sibs provides various helpful guides for adult siblings of people with a lifelong learning disability and/or autism.
Team Rise
Team Rise are a Registered Charity based in Burnley but support people from all areas of East Lancashire. We give learning disabled and vulnerable individuals the opportunity to develop, socialise and explore their ideas and goals through a wide variety of educational, social and practical activities.
TEAM RISE - Supporting adults with learning disabilities
Autism Service Directory - find services in your area
The directory helps autistic people, their families and the professionals who work with them to find local and national services. It includes residential, supported living and respite, employment support, diagnostic, schools and nurseries, social groups and leisure activities, solicitors and advocacy organisations.