Support Resources

Autism Alliance

A national campaigning and umbrella organisation for autism-specialist charities across the UK, including many local and regional autism-specific charities. Their website provides information on autism, legal rights, and services for autistic people and families. Their member charities cover a range of sectors, including adult social care, education, and community support. The Autism Alliance, or one of its members, may be able to help you to find support in your area.

Website: https://www.autism-alliance.org.uk/ 

National Autistic Society

The UK's largest autism charity, providing a wide range of support, guidance, and advice for autistic people and families, from diagnostic services and online peer support to adult residential services. Their Autism Services Directory includes many local organisations and regional branches they operate across the UK. This directory is not comprehensive and may not include all support groups or programmes in your area.

Website: https://www.autism.org.uk/ 

England and Head Office Email: nas@nas.org.uk 

Cymru (Wales) Office Email: wales@nas.org.uk 

Scotland Office Email: generalenquiries.scotland@nas.org.uk 

Northern Ireland Office Email: northern.ireland@nas.org.uk 

England and Head Office Telephone: 020 7833 2299

Ambitious about Autism

A national charity offering education, support, and advocacy for autistic young people in the UK. They run the Ambitious Youth Network, an online space for autistic people aged 13-25 to connect with each other and access opportunities to advocate for and improve services for autistic young people. 

Website: https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/ 

General Email: info@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk 

Youth Network Email: participation@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk 

Telephone: 020 8815 5444

Neurodivergence Wales

A resource run by the National Neurodivergence Team in Wales, funded by the Welsh Government. It provides information and advice for autistic people, parents/carers, and families on education, employment, and community services in Wales. 

Website: https://neurodivergencewales.org/en/ 

Email: AutismWales@WLGA.gov.uk 

Telephone: 07469 485 643

Autism NI

A charity providing help and support for autistic individuals and their families across Northern Ireland, including support groups and self-care resources.

Website: https://www.autismni.org/ 

Email: info@autismni.org 

Telephone: 028 9040 1729

Scottish Autism

A social enterprise providing a wide range of services across Scotland, including peer support and community activities, transition support, vocational opportunities, supported living, and specialist support for older autistic adults. It also offers a national Advice Line for autistic people, parents/carers, and families.

Website: https://www.scottishautism.org/ 

General Email: autism@scottishautism.org 

Advice Line Email: advice@scottishautism.org 

General Telephone: 01259 720044

Advice Line Telephone: 01259 222 022

The first two organisations are autism-specific; others offer general mental health support.

Autistica

An autism research organisation that does not offer direct support services, but provides free, evidence-based resources including the Molehill Mountain app for managing anxiety, and the Autistica Tips Hubs for wider mental health, wellbeing, and everyday tips.

Website: https://www.autistica.org.uk/ 

The Autism Wellbeing Project

A community organisation offering autism-specific therapy and wellbeing activities for autistic people.

Website: https://www.theautismwellbeingproject.co.uk/ 

Mind

A mental health charity that offers information and advice. You can contact them if you need non-urgent information about mental health support and services that may be available to you in the UK.

Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/ 

Email: info@mind.org.uk 

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Text: 86463

Samaritans

A charity providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Their telephone helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Website: https://www.samaritans.org  

Email: jo@samaritans.org 

Telephone: 116 123 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

A charity offering mental health support via their telephone helpline and live webchat service, which are open from 5pm to midnight everyday, 365 days a year.

Website: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ 

Telephone: 0800 58 58 58

SHOUT

If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.

Website: https://www.giveusashout.org/ 

Text: 85258 

Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSC)

If you are based in Northern Ireland, you can use this webpage to find mental health services in your area: https://www.mindingyourhead.info/services 

NHS England 

If you are based in England, you can use this webpage to find mental health services in your area: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/. 

You can also use this webpage to find and call a local NHS urgent mental health helpline for support during a mental health crisis: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline   

NHS Scotland

If you are based in Scotland, you can use this webpage to find more information or seek urgent help and advice for your mental health: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-support/mental-health-services-at-nhs-24. 

More information about mental health services in Scotland can be found through the NHS Inform webpage: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health 

NHS Wales/GIG Cymru

If you are based in Wales/Cymru, you can use this webpage to find mental health services in your area: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/m/article/mentalhealthandwellbeing 

Equality and Human Rights Commission (England, Wales and Scotland)

The EHRC website provides information on equality and human rights issues, including the Equality Act. 

Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com  

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

CAB gives free, independent, and confidential legal advice on a range of subjects. You can search for your local CAB by town or postcode on the national website.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk  

Scotland website: www.cas.org.uk 

The Law Centres Network

Law Centres may be able to provide free legal advice, casework, and representation. You can find your nearest Centre at the website below. 

Website: www.lawcentres.org.uk 

Disability Law Service

Disability Law Service provides free specialist legal advice for disabled people and their carers or families throughout the UK, including on disability discrimination.

Website: www.dls.org.uk  

Telephone: 0207 791 9800

Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)

The EASS is aimed at individuals who need more specialist advice and support on discrimination law and human rights issues than other advice agencies and local organisations can provide.

Website: www.equalityadvisoryservice.com  

Phone: 0808 800 0082

Text: 0808 800 0084

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)

If your enquiry relates to employment, including workplace discrimination, ACAS provides free advice to employees or job applicants. 

Website: www.acas.org.uk 

Telephone: 0300 123 1100

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

An independent organisation that inspects and regulates health and social care services in England to ensure that they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. You can contact them to give feedback on your experience of care, whether good or bad.

Website: https://www.cqc.org.uk/give-feedback-on-care 

Telephone: 03000 616161