About us
Autism Central is a peer education programme, commissioned by NHS England. It aims to build knowledge and understanding of autism and empower families and carers to advocate for autistic people they support. Local support helps families to get the right understanding and adjustments in place across the services they use.
Everything the programme does is informed by, or co-produced with autistic people, families and carers.
Autism Central hubs deliver the programme in seven regions across England through group and one-to-one sessions, giving information on local services. Each session is delivered by parents and carers of autistic people who are happy to share their knowledge and experience with others.
Our vision
The Autism Central vision is a world where parents and carers of autistic children and adults are knowledgeable about autism, confident in navigating services and empowered to maintain both their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of the autistic person they support.
What do parents say?
“I am so very grateful for the work you are doing and would be utterly lost without you. I felt like I was floating lost at sea before and then you came and threw me a life ring. THANK YOU !!”
“It’s incredibly valuable to have someone to talk to one-to-one, who understands and can listen and offer advice. Thank you.”
Our team
- Expert Reference Group: a group of subject matter experts and people with lived experience who shape detailed plans, and contribute their knowledge, insight and support the creation of the content and resources.
- Governance Steering Group: representatives of the programme partners, a group of nine not-for-profit organisations. We believe that working in partnership is a strength which brings together a diverse range of viewpoints, experience and expertise. This group includes many who are parents of autistic people and/or are autistic themselves.
- Programme team: the programme team includes many who have lived experience as parents of autistic people and/or are autistic themselves.
- Regional hubs: our regional hubs offer guidance to families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people. Our hubs bring together a diverse range of viewpoints, experience and expertise. Many of the hubs include teams with people who have lived experience as parents of autistic people and/or are autistic themselves.
- Peer educators: are trained to provide support to parents and carers via events and one-to ones run by our hubs. Peer educators are primarily family members/carers of autistic people (this includes parents/carers who are autistic themselves).
Meet Lynne
Lynne is the Programme Director of Autism Central and has over 20 years of experience in supporting autistic individuals and their families in the voluntary sector, including 12 years as the Managing Director of an ADHD and autism charity and as a Governor at two specialist schools. Lynne is the parent of two autistic young adults. Read more in a personal welcome from Lynne.
Meet Adam
Adam is Director of the Autism Alliance UK, the national body for not for profit organisations that support autistic people and their families. With a background in both Government and the charity sector, Adam chairs the Autism Central Governance Steering Group, and is a member of a range of Government groups focusing on autism policy, including with the Department for Health and Social Care. Adam is the parent of a young autistic person.
Our partners
We believe that working in partnership is a strength which brings together a diverse range of viewpoints, experience and expertise. The programme is a partnership of nine not-for-profit organisations.
