Support Resources

Making disclosure decisions, crafting your personal story, and changing hurtful self-beliefs are complex ongoing processes. This page provides a non-exhaustive list of support resources in the UK if you want or need further help beyond this guide.

Note: Inclusion of a service in this list does not imply that we endorse them, nor does the absence of a service imply that we do not endorse them.

National autism charities and organisations

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, alongside training and campaigns to increase autism understanding and acceptance.

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

Mental health services

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

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

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

CALM offers 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

Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSC)

If you are based in Northern Ireland, health and social care are provided by Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSC). 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 and refer yourself to 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 through their NHS 24 service on this webpage: 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 or refer yourself to mental health services in your area: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/m/article/mentalhealthandwellbeing

Legal advice and support

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

Finding support in your local area

In the UK, local authorities and Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) have a duty to commission services for autistic people. Local authorities may be county councils, district councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan districts in cities or boroughs if you live in London. An ICS may cover several local authorities and/or cross-county boundaries. Your local authority and/or ICS website may include information about autism services in your local area, but may not list every form of support available.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) provides a national Autism Services Directory which includes some local support groups, though this is not comprehensive. You may find that an internet search referencing your local area and “autism”, “peer support” or “support group” may help you to find more information on local groups. Some of these groups may also have social media pages on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Discord, X, or Bluesky.

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