Autism Hampshire

27/02/2026

💜 We’re hiring a Tender Manager! 💜

📍 Hybrid (Fareham, Hampshire or Sidcup base) | 💼 Full-time (37 hours) or part-time (32 hours) | 💰 £49,000 per annum (pro rata)

Are you a skilled bid writer who wants their work to make a real difference?

At Avenues Group, we’re on an exciting growth journey — and we’re looking for a Tender Manager to help us secure opportunities that change lives.

In this role, you’ll lead on tenders from start to finish, craft compelling submissions, and work closely with teams across the organisation to drive growth and impact.

✨ Why join us?
~ Flexible hybrid working
~ A supportive, collaborative team
~ The chance to shape services that help people live independently

📅 Closing date: 14th March 2026

👉 Ready to lead winning bids with real purpose? Apply now!
https://careers.avenuesgroup.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/tender-manager-fareham-6083/6101/description/

27/02/2026

Join The University of Portsmouth and Autek for a welcoming and inclusive World Café session exploring how communication works between autistic and neurodivergent people and Primary Care professionals.

This interactive event is designed to bring people together to share experiences, discuss challenges, and shape improvements in care. Whether you’re autistic, neurodivergent, or supporting someone who is, your voice matters.

🗓 10th March 2026
⏰ 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 University of Portsmouth Students’ Union, Third Space

You’ll have the chance to share your thoughts in a way that suits you—through conversation, writing, or your phone—and help influence future services and research. Drinks and snacks will be provided, and participants will receive a £25 gift voucher.

📩 To book your place or find out more, contact:
stevebond@autek.co.uk
or Alessandra.Fasulo@port.ac.uk

Let’s work together to improve communication in healthcare 💬

26/02/2026

🌟 Help Us Make Leisure & Culture Spaces Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight More Inclusive 🌟

Have you ever walked into a room and felt instantly overwhelmed - by bright lights, loud noise, or anxiety? For many neurodivergent people, this is a daily reality, making leisure and cultural spaces feel inaccessible.

But small changes can make a huge difference.

Our experts at Autism Hampshire have created specialist e‑learning training designed for leisure and culture providers across the region.

Commissioned by NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, this training helps teams build welcoming, neurodivergent‑friendly environments for all.

💡 Why take part?
✔ Improve Inclusivity across gyms, libraries, swimming pools, theatres, galleries, and more.
✔ Practical guidance on reasonable adjustments tailored to leisure and culture settings.
✔ Designed for all staff, from PTs to receptionists to managers.
✔ Flexible online learning at your own pace.

⏳ The free training programme ends on 31st March - this is your final chance to sign up!
📩 To register or find out more, email: communityinclusion@avenuesgroup.org.uk

Together, we can make leisure and cultural spaces welcoming for everyone. 💜

23/02/2026

A huge thank you to Ringwood & District Round Table for your generous £500 donation to Autism Hampshire!💜

Your support helps us continue creating opportunities and providing vital services for autistic people across Hampshire. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness and commitment to supporting your local community - it truly makes a lasting difference.💜

16/02/2026

From volunteer to valued colleague - Emma’s inspiring journey! 💜

We’re so proud to share Emma’s story - a brilliant example of how confidence grows when someone is supported to shine.

When Emma moved to Fareham in 2021, she told her carer she wanted to do something meaningful with her time. That choice led her to our Autism Hampshire charity shop, where she began volunteering three days a week.

Fast forward to 2026, and Emma is now a confident 22‑year‑old working four days a week at B&M Stores - a role she secured thanks to the skills, experience and self‑belief she built through volunteering. 🌟

Her advice to others thinking about volunteering? “Just go for it — or you’re going to miss out on the future.” 💜

👉 Read Emma’s full story:
https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/from-volunteer-to-valued-employee-emma’s-journey

15/02/2026

💜 We’re Hiring: Neurodivergent Wellbeing Advisor (Lived Experience Role)

Location: Andover (with travel to other locations as required)
Contract: 24hrs per week (part time)
Salary: £26,523 per annum pro rata
Closing Date: 18th February 2026

Are you autistic and/or ADHD and passionate about supporting other neurodivergent adults?

We are looking for a Neurodivergent Wellbeing Advisor to join our North Hants Hub and help shape and deliver a supportive, neuro-affirming service.

This role is designed specifically for someone who can bring personal insight, empathy and real-world understanding to the support they provide. Your lived experience will not just be valued; it will be central to how this role works.

Apply here:
https://ow.ly/2jWV50Yet5W

Please note: this is a lived experience role, so only applicants with lived experience of Autism and/or ADHD will be considered.

Avenues Group

14/02/2026

This Valentine’s Day, show your love by making a real difference💜

At Autism Hampshire, we have been supporting autistic people and their families for over 50 years, helping to create brighter, more independent futures.

Established by local parents in Southampton in the late 1960s, we now provide vital support across Hampshire and the surrounding area through Autism-focused Training, Domiciliary Care, Supported Living services, and our Information, Advice and Guidance team, which responds to around 12,000 requests for help each year.

We are proud to be part of Avenues Group, working together to drive positive change and greater opportunities for autistic people.

You can help us continue our mission:

💜 Share this post to raise awareness
💜 Like and follow our page
💜 Promote understanding and acceptance of autism
💜 Donate if you can
https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/support-us/donations

Every action, no matter how big or small, helps us make a meaningful difference across Hampshire.

Together, we can build a more inclusive future💜

13/02/2026

💜 We’re Hiring: Neurodivergent Wellbeing Advisors (Lived Experience Role)

Location: Southampton (with travel to other locations as required)
Contract: 22hrs and 24hrs per week (part time)
Salary: £26,523 per annum pro rata
Closing Date: 18th February 2026

Are you autistic and/or ADHD and passionate about supporting other neurodivergent adults?

We are looking for two Neurodivergent Wellbeing Advisors to join our team at our Southampton Hub and help shape and deliver a supportive, neuro-affirming service.

This role is designed specifically for someone who can bring personal insight, empathy, and real-world understanding to the support they provide. Your lived experience will not just be valued; it will be central to how this role works.

Apply here:
https://careers.avenuesgroup.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/6095/description

Avenues Group

13/02/2026

We’re delighted to share that Autism Hampshire, part of Avenues Group has been awarded the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Autism and ADHD Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Service and Community Hubs contract 🌟

Commissioned by NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, the new service will launch in April 2026, expanding support for autistic and ADHD adults across Hampshire, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

The service will be delivered in collaboration with Hampshire Mind CIC, comprising of Andover Mind, Havant and East Hants Mind, Solent Mind, and AIM Autism Inclusion Matters IOW as the Isle of Wight delivery partner.

Together, we will establish community hubs and a Hampshire and Isle of Wight–wide digital and telephone IAG service, including Southampton and Portsmouth. The service will take an identity affirming, neuro affirmative approach, offering timely information and support whether or not someone has a diagnosis.

This partnership model ensures services are grounded in local expertise and community knowledge and, crucially, shaped by the voices of neurodivergent adults themselves.

🔗 Read more about the announcement here:
https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/autism-hampshire-awarded-hampshire-and-isle-of-wight-autism-and-adhd-support-contract

If you’re passionate about making a difference, explore our Neurodivergent Wellbeing Advisor (Lived Experience) recruitment opportunities and discover how you can join our team here:🔗 https://careers.avenuesgroup.org.uk/

09/02/2026

An incredible achievement Mark - thank you! 💜 A huge well done to Denmead runner Mark, who completed the Portsmouth Coast Marathon in 3 hours and 32 minutes!

He raised an amazing £1,365 for Autism Hampshire - almost three times his original target! 🌟

Mark took on the challenge for his daughter, Imogen, who is currently awaiting an autism assessment. Along the way, he learned more about autism, communication, and how to support her in ways that truly make a difference.

One thing that struck Mark most? “You don’t know how many people you know until you do something like this… people were just so kind giving donations.” 💜

👉 Read Mark’s full story:
https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/runner-raises-more-than-%C2%A31,300

👉 Support his fundraising:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-allibone-1

Believe and Achieve Events - Run Pompey

06/02/2026

Free community & social groups for autistic adults 💜Spaces available in Bordon and Havant!

Our Serendipity Community Groups are small, friendly and relaxed social groups for autistic adults. Led by members and supported by volunteers, they provide a welcoming space to chat, meet new people and enjoy time together, with tea and coffee, card and board games, quizzes, drawing and colouring.

📍 Bordon – Thursdays, 10am to 12pm
📍 Havant – Thursdays, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
🗓️ Held twice a month
💜 Free to attend

Autism Hampshire is a local charity, part of the Avenues Group, creating a better future for autistic people for over 50 years.

📩 Contact us to get involved or find out more:
👉 autismhampshire.org.uk/Serendipity
📧 serendipity@autismhampshire.org.uk
📞 01489 880881 (ext. 225)

Created and designed especially for autistic adults, find out more about them in the questions and answers below or watch this introductory video.

05/02/2026

Autism Acceptance Month 2026 is on its way! 💜 This April, we’re encouraging everyone to take action for autism acceptance - from learning more, to showing up as an ally in everyday life.

Our theme: Know More. Do More. Be an Ally.

✅ Day of Purple – 2 April
✅ Sensory experiences
✅ London Marathon allies
✅ Autism‑inclusive recruitment stories

👉 Don’t forget to join our Day of Purple Facebook event and help us turn April purple: https://fb.me/e/6wAdBdtA2

💜 Together, we can make a difference.

🔗 Find out more: https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/support-us/events/autism-acceptance-month