ASCAPE

“I’m so lucky to have autism because I get to do loads of things with ASCape that my friends can’t do!” - L, aged 11

ASCape was founded in 2018 by two mums in Bridport who were frustrated with the lack of social opportunities for Autistic children and the absence of support for their families. They formed ASCape to provide autism and anxiety-friendly groups and activities for children and to organise events and forums to bring parents and carers together in a supportive, non-judgmental and understanding space. 

In January 2022, ASCape gained charitable status and is governed by a Board of Trustees with experience in autism services, IT, education and charity management. 

Why we are needed:

Our innovative projects directly address the growing social and mental health issues faced by local Autistic children and young people and their families. The young people that we support have a wide range of challenges that can make it difficult for them to access activities at school and social activities outside school. As well as social anxiety, our young people sometimes struggle to self-regulate and manage their emotions. They can have low self-esteem and feel pessimistic about their future. ASCape’s activities and community brings hope to our young people and their families.

“Me and my family have been with ASCape for two years and in that time it has given me a sense of community with other parents who understood how I was feeling,  I never felt judged like I could at the school around other parents.  It has been a joy to see my boy meet other children who were like him and make friends easily, which he struggles with in other places.” - M, ASCape parent

We make a difference

To children and young people by:

• providing a range of accessible social activities led by the children’s own needs and interests, including access to the first specific after-school provision for Autistic children in the area
• offering therapeutic and supportive out-door experiences known to improve mental health 
• facilitating earlier diagnosis by supporting children from early years stage (4+)
• enabling children to have more successful life outcomes

To parents and carers by:

• offering a lifeline of peer support and signposting on how to navigate the challenges of ensuring our children receive the education, health and care they need
• empowering and enabling them to strengthen the mental health of families so they can support their children better

"I couldn’t attend “normal” youth club any more because of the noise and too many people. Having a place to go for a break with people that understand me….I feel like I can be myself. I really look forward to youth club and I wish it could happen more than once a month." Z, aged 14

“The support group has been a lifeline for me. Before I started going, I was really struggling with my sons and I felt so alone. I didn’t have any support and didn’t know where to go to get any. … I would never usually go to any group-type thing, but you can share as little or as much as you like and it’s a safe space where I don’t feel judged.” J, mum to two neurodivergent boys