About Us
According to NHS statistics, one in every hundred people has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a higher prevalence among boys than girls. Despite this growing prevalence, resources available for individuals in this age group remain limited.
Established in 2018, All About Us has steadily grown by adopting a person-centered approach. Our support for young people and their families includes weekly meetups, youth group activities, parent support, community engagement, family days, sensory workshops, life skills sessions, and various accredited courses.
Unlike many organizations, we don't require proof of diagnosis or specific difficulties faced by the family or young person. Our services are inclusive, welcoming individuals with a range of abilities, and a formal diagnosis is not a prerequisite for accessing our programs.
Our foundational program runs in parallel with various other activities. At All About Us, we bring together individuals diagnosed with autism, those undergoing the diagnosis process, their siblings, and families within our community. Our focus lies in highlighting the positive qualities of our young people, challenging common misconceptions that often concentrate on the negative aspects of autism.
Emphasizing a "sense of place," we connect the community through the activities we organize. Individuals with autism often find comfort and engagement in familiar environments. All About Us provides a safe haven—a place to feel secure, connect with friends, and spend leisure time. Through our activities, we create a supportive environment tailored to address the challenges our young people face, offering opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge.
Our ultimate goal is to empower young individuals, fostering a sense of value and importance, reducing social isolation, and enhancing personal self-worth. Our guiding ethos is encapsulated in the phrase: "Just because my normal is different from your normal doesn't mean we aren't equal."
We believe all everyone can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
What our young people say about us.
“I joined All About Us-ASD Teens just over two years ago thanks to my mums’ efforts to help me through a dark period of my life. Back then my autism, anxiety and depression was at its worst and got to the point I needed counselling in order to address my emotional and mental wellbeing. I was not attending school due to my issues so was completely isolated and relied heavily on my parents.
At the beginning I struggled with adapting to the new setting and the people there as I found it hard to communicate or trust others. Over time however the patience and kindness of the adults, teen volunteers & fellow members I was able to form many new friendships and for the first time in my life I did not feel the odd one out.
I became a volunteer at the club to gain confidence & gain more responsibility. This has helped me immensely with my social skills, peer interaction & leadership skills.
To me club is a place where I can be myself without fear of judgement from others who do not understand me or my condition. It is a place where I can mingle with friends, help my friends with coping skills & pass my experiences with new members.
As a volunteer it is my responsibility to help new members settle in, teach them it is OK to be autistic in a world with judgement.
Without a club I would have nowhere to go, nowhere to be with friends or learn new skills. The club has allowed me to complete many courses like mental health training and mental well being courses which I could not of got in school.
Finally I imagine for many parents who bring their children to club, it is a sanctuary for their young children where they can interact & gain support from other parents in the same situations. Many people take for granted that all children fit into one category but the reality is they do not.
“I started volunteering here in December for my Duke of Edinburgh's Award. My volunteering section was for 12 weeks and once I finished my 12 weeks I realised how much I was enjoying myself, so I decided to stay. I've been here for nearly a year and it's helped me grow in confidence and make new friends, which has always been a hard thing for me to do. I've learned new life skills like handling money in tuck and planning activities and games for the younger children. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind to me and this is an amazing service for children with ASD”
Our Vision
We organize weekly meet-ups designed to offer support, foster friendships, and impart new skills for young individuals aged 8-18. These gatherings cater to those with a confirmed diagnosis of autism and/or associated conditions, as well as those in the process of diagnosis. Additionally, we extend the invitation to siblings and families connected to these individuals.
Parents or professionals can make referrals to our service. To refer a young person, please click here.
Our Team
Meet your team of volunteers, a group that has been expanding rapidly. Comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, these dedicated people are instrumental in driving meaningful change. Our volunteers contribute immensely to our cause, and we continually welcome new members to join our rapidly expanding team. If you're interested in supporting our mission, please feel free to reach out to us via email or by filling out one of our forms.
