Autism Hampshire

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

03/02/2026

Our February Newsletter has landed! 💜

We’ve packed this month’s update with inspiring stories, award wins, community news and exciting things coming up across Autism Hampshire.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside:
✔️ Our brand‑new About Us video – showing the real impact of your support
✔️ First look at Autism Acceptance Month events, including A Day of Purple
✔️ Our Oliver McGowan Training Team wins a Hampshire Changemakers Award
✔️ Sam’s journey from Serendipity group member → volunteer → award‑winning colleague
✔️ Mike’s extraordinary 100‑mile fundraising challenge
✔️ New adventures for 2026 – from treks to cycles to paddling challenges
✔️ “Mask Off” Creative Writing Group for neurodivergent women and non‑binary people
✔️ Current career opportunities across Autism Hampshire and Avenues Group

👉 Catch up on all the stories here:
https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/february-e-newsletter-2026

Thank you for being part of our community. Your support helps make all of this possible. 💜

01/02/2026

We’re celebrating! 💜 Our Oliver McGowan Training Team has won the Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Award at the Hampshire Changemakers Awards 2026 with Action Hampshire! 🌟

This brilliant team of autistic and learning‑disabled lived experience trainers delivers powerful, person‑centred sessions that are helping healthcare professionals better understand and support autistic people.

Their work has been described as 'transformational', and this award recognises just how much impact they’re making across Hampshire.

Huge congratulations to every member of the team - we are so proud of you! 👏

👉 Read more:
https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/team-wins-inclusion,-equity-and-diversity-award

30/01/2026

Run, walk, or just give it a go! 🏃‍♀️ Did you know we have a free running group for autistic adults in Portsmouth? And it’s for everyone, whatever your fitness level.

Next session is Monday 9th February so sign up today to join in!

✨ No pressure
🚶 Walking is absolutely welcome
💜 Calm, supportive and friendly

Whether you’re brand new to running, prefer a gentle walk, or just want a relaxed way to get moving with others, you’ll be made to feel at home.

📅 Once a month (Mondays)
⏰ 11am–12pm
📍 Portsmouth
🤝 In collaboration with BH Live

📧 To book your place, email serendipity@autismhampshire.org.uk

🔗 Find out more about our Serendipity social groups here: https://autismhampshire.org.uk/how-we-can-help/serendipity-social-groups/

28/01/2026

Your time can change lives! 💜

We’re looking for volunteers to:
🌟 Support autistic adults at our social groups in Basingstoke, Southampton, Gosport & Eastleigh
🌟 Help at our charity shop in Fareham

Just a few hours each month can create safe spaces, build friendships, and raise vital funds.

✅ Training provided
✅ Expenses paid
✅ Flexible commitment

👉 Apply today: https://autismhampshire.org.uk/support-us/volunteering-opportunities/

26/01/2026

From group member to award‑winning employee! 💜 We're so proud to share Sam's incredible journey with Autism Hampshire.

After receiving a late autism and ADHD diagnosis in 2022, Sam first came to us for support and joined our Serendipity community groups for autistic adults.

But her journey didn't stop there! She later became a volunteer - and today, she’s one of our Employee of the Month winners! 🌟

In less than a year as our Business Support Administrator for Serendipity, Sam has made a huge impact. Her lived experience, insight and compassion shine through in everything she does.

Sam describes being autistic as: “Being an Apple Mac in a world that mostly runs on Windows. You’re just a different operating system.”

Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength in understanding yourself, finding community and being supported to thrive.

👉 Read Sam’s full story: https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/from-group-member-to-award-winning-employee

23/01/2026

Hampshire paramedic Ben Glover is taking on his first ever marathon to support Autism Hampshire! 🌟 After rebuilding his mental health and becoming an advocate for his autistic son, Ben is now preparing to run the Malta Marathon in just a few weeks. 💜

He’s already inspired so many people by sharing his journey - and he’s now raising funds to help us support autistic people and their families across Hampshire.

👉 If you can, please support Ben’s amazing challenge today: www.justgiving.com/page/benglover4malta

Read his full story here: https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/news-events/malta-marathon-runner-ben 🙌

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Malta Marathon

21/01/2026

Reminder: The Eastleigh Volunteer Fair is tomorrow! 📣

Join us on Thursday 22nd January, 11am–2pm at Pavilion on the Park, Kingfisher Road, SO50 9LH.

We’ll be there sharing opportunities to volunteer and make a difference in your community. If you’re interested in supporting autistic people and their families, come and meet our team - we’d love to chat with you. 💜

https://www.facebook.com/CommunityFirstEastleigh/posts/pfbid02daSo8NqYcLHv78EynoCBkFnqXLg3DJ58h8LNZ18x3inYpdsPggv5fz7svKjY5cbJl

🎉 We're running another Volunteer Fair!

🧩 Join us for the Eastleigh Volunteer Fair 2026 at Pavilion on the Park on January 22nd, 11-2pm, for the great opportunity to meet over 30 amazing local causes to see how you can get involved.

👋 Members of the Volunteer First team will also be available to answer any questions on volunteering and provide information on all the other roles, local and afar

Thanks to Eastleigh Borough Council for supporting us.