Nominated Organisations
Staffordshire Police
Category: Public service
We have a core group of people across the organisation who are Autism Champions. They have undergone specialist training from an external provider to support them in this role. The aim of the champions is to support people either within the organisation who are/have been diagnosed with Autism, require additional support as a carer of someone with Autism or would like to know more information about Autism. Externally, the champions are there to support officers and staff when they deal with someone with Autism through work. Our champions are all identified with a little lapel badge. We also support the alert card scheme in force and have secured funding through our regional colleagues to reduce the cost of the alert card from £5 to £2.50. We also did a force wide CPD event for colleagues to introduce them to our Disabilities and Carers Network, which is a staff association where we looked at the various strands of our network, Autism, Carers, Dyslexia, hidden disabilities.
Website: Staffordshire Police
Autism friendly community managed libraries
Category: Public service
Through the Community Managed Libraries there are 29 which are Autism Friendly. Maps can be downloaded to pre plan journeys, there are SEND champions who have received training, a sunflower 'quiet' hour, inclusive events, places of welcome and some libraries also have sensory rooms.
Website: Staffordshire Libraries
Ambassador Theatre Group
Category: Entertainment
We support 'Access' customers through relaxed performances, providing chill out areas, and 'Access Ambassadors' who are trained to assist with additional needs. We are a point of contact for support to ensure everyone can enjoy the theatre experience. A new Access scheme will also be launched by the end of 2022 to make the booking process simpler.
Website: Ambassador Theatre Group
Harvester
Category: Restaurant
Supportive friendly staff, providing quieter seating and allowing extra ordering time.
Website: Harvester Trentham Lakes
Tesco
Category: Retail shop
Dimmer lights and lowered checkout noises between 9-10am Wednesday and Saturdays.
Website: Tesco
Asda
Category: Retail shop
Quiet hour shopping between 2-3pm Monday to Thursday, for people with sensory sensitivities.
Phone: 01785 782000
Website: Asda
Morrisons
Category: Retail shop
Quiet hour shopping between 9-10am Saturday and 10-11am Sunday, for people with sensory sensitivities
Howe2 Training and Consultancy
Category: Training
Expert by experience and champion for autism. Delivers a range of mandatory and statutory training as well as specialist and service specific courses including; active support for learning disabilities, autism awareness, autism and mental health.
Phone: 07596086334
Website: Howe2 Training
Staffordshire County Council - Travel Training
Category: Training
Travel training is all about giving people the skills to travel independently; it is a skill for life. We work with students who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs offering one-to-one training in all aspects of travelling independently.
Email: independent.traveltraining@staffordshire.gov.uk
Cineworld
Category: Entertainment
At Cineworld Cinemas, we are committed to offering maximum accessibility and we strive to provide facilities that meet the requirements of all our customers. We offer Autism Friendly screenings and The Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card (CEA card) helps us to ensure that reasonable support is made available to you. If you require a carer, simply apply for your CEA card by picking up an application form from our foyer or from www.ceacard.co.uk. Your 'CEA card' will entitle your accompanying carer to a free seat. This policy is valid at all times.
Phone: 0333 003 3444
Website: Cineworld - disabled access
Burton Horticultural Centre
Category: Support
Provides individuals with the opportunity to undertake gardening in a relaxed environment. The activities contribute to improved physical and mental health of the individuals. Furthermore, opportunities exist for work placements to develop vocational skills. In partnership with Mind, the Horticulture Centre is utilised to improve mental health amongst participants.
Phone: 07966 342198
Everyone Active: Meadowside Leisure Centre
Category: Support
A weekly activity session, specifically targeting people with disabilities, including both SEND, and directly for families, has been re-introduced at the Meadowside Leisure Centre. The session is heavily discounted at just £2. It is another great addition to the leisure centres’ wider programme of activities for people with disabilities that live in the borough. This also includes inclusive cycling, Keep Achieving and rebound therapy.
Phone: 07935 060036
Website: Meadowside Leisure Centre
Chocolate Treasures
Category: Retail shop
Amazing treatment by all staff, friendly and entertaining, volunteer opportunities.
Phone: 01543 278739
Email: contactus@chocolate-treasures.com
The Barber Station
Category: Salon
Experienced staff, great with both adults and children with additional needs.
Phone: 07341 964871
Website: The Barber Station
Emma Louise Unisex Hair Salon
Category: Salon
Staff are great and supportive to children with learning difficulties.
Phone: 01543 570565
Website: Emma Louise Hair Salon
Escape Studio 3
Category: Salon
Allowing extra processing time, and settling time.
Phone: 01543 878600
The Merchant Pub in Cannock
Category: Restaurant
Staff are brilliant with adults who have learning disabilities.
Phone: 01543 500293
Website: The Merchant
Iceland Cannock
Category: Retail shop
Staff are brilliant with adults who have learning disabilities.
Phone: 01543 505902
Website: Iceland
Fueled Coffee
Category: Retail shop
Excellent Staff
Website: Fueled – Speciality Coffeehouse
Uttoxeter Leisure Centre
The host of the GO Garden Project, which welcomes volunteers, including people with health problems and disabilities to undertake gardening activities. These activities not only provide mental stimulation and enhanced wellbeing, but the plants are used in community floral displays.
Website: Go Garden | ESBC
Email: paul.steed@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Phone: 07966 342198
Brewhouse Arts Centre
Category: Leisure and sports
Has an Art Café and iDance, which are activities aimed at adults with additional needs and their carers who get free admission. Participants can learn new skills in art and dance and make new friends in a social environment.
Website: Brewhouse homepage | Brewhouse Arts Centre
Phone: 01283 508547
Burntwood and Lichfield Autism Together (BLAST)
Parent Support Meetings for families living with autism.
Email: blast.staffs@gmail.com
Website: BLAST - Burntwood and Lichfield Autism Support Together | Support Staffordshire
Our Space
Category: Support
Our Space is a charity that provides unique social and recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. We offer a range of exciting opportunities for all age groups from our specialist facility, The Brook Centre, located in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. We offer evening club sessions in the week to our members, as well as family sessions on a Saturday along with playscheme in the school holidays. We are an inclusive charity and many of our club members are on the autistic spectrum.
Phone: 01782 436758
Email: office@ourspacestaffs.org.uk
Website: Our Space
Lifeworks Staffs
Category: Support
Lifeworks supports marginalised people 14+ in North Staffordshire with an average IQ, with Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Tourette's Syndrome. Offers support and social groups, befriending sessions and 1:1 support.
Email: info@lifeworksstaffordshire.org.uk
Website: Lifeworks Staffordshire
North Staffs Aspergers / Autism Association
Category: Support
Provides support, help and advice to individuals with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, their parents and carers. Support groups, clubs plus social activities offered.
Email: info@nsaaa.co.uk
Phone: 01782 627002
Website: Home - NSAAA
Gatehouse Theatre (Freedom Leisure Centre Trust)
Category: Entertainment
We have lovely partnerships with several organisations working with adults with Autism and learning disabilities. We have two adults with Autism on a year work placement in our box office and café, they are doing brilliantly. This partnership is with South Staffordshire University. We also have several adults with disabilities who work in our front of house volunteer team. In partnership with a local housing organisation, Aspire regularly come into our café for drinks and a music session. We do have several young people with autism in our weekly Youth Theatre groups as well. I am pleased to say that we have a relaxed area upstairs for families with children with autism and learning disabilities. The space allows them some quiet and peace if they find a show a little overwhelming. We do programme relaxed performances on our shows and signed performances.
Website: Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
Staffordshire Football Association Ltd
Category: Leisure and sports
Working with Liberty to raise awareness of Autism in football, we delivered an Autism Awareness campaign in April 2022. This included pan disability football sessions and delivering an autism awareness workshop for clubs to provide a more inclusive environment for individuals to participate in football.
Phone: 01785 256994
Email: support@staffordshirefa.com
Website: Staffordshire Football Association Ltd
Staffordshire Cricket
Category: Leisure and Sports
Supportive staff, who ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy cricket.
Phone: 01785 212120
Website: Staffordshire Cricket
The Entertainer
Category: Retail shop
This high street toy retailer in the UK, is introducing a weekly 'Quiet Hour' that will take place every Saturday in all its UK stores. This is to create a more welcoming environment for children with autism. Shopping trips can be a daunting experience for autistic children who can find busy crowds and loud noises overwhelming, which is why for the first hour of opening The Entertainer will be switching off the music in store.
Website: The Entertainer
Odeon
Category: Entertainment
Autism friendly screenings - the house lights remain on throughout the film, the audio volume is lowered and the advertisements and trailers are removed before the film. The cinema doors are also opened early so guests have time to get used to the surroundings. ODEON is also part of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA) Card scheme. If you need extra assistance at the cinema, you can get a free ticket for your companion. Simply use your CEA Card when you book tickets online.
Phone: 0800 138 3315 (Disability and Accessibility Helpline)
Website: Odeon
Stafford Leisure Centre
Category: Leisure and Sports
Half price on one-to-one swimming lessons for those with additional needs
Phone: 01785 619500
Website: Stafford Leisure Centre
New Image Salon
Category: Salon
Patient and caring staff.
Phone: 01785 226692
The Play Shed
Category: Entertainment
Staff are brilliant and ensured positive experience for child with additional needs.
Phone: 01785 258630
Website: The Play Shed - Play & Party Centre - Stafford
Enabling Technology Ltd
Category: Training
We support people so they can flourish in the workplace, by working with their employers to provide the right environment and awareness. This can be done privately or through Access to Work funding. We provide, and train, on all kinds of assistive software, coping strategy training for individuals and awareness training for managers and colleagues.
Email: petraw@enablingtechnology.com
Website: Enabling Technology Ltd
Stafford National Autistic Society
Category: Support
General support for people on the autistic spectrum. Health/social Welfare, mentoring and befriending.
Website: Stafford NAS
Email: stafford@nas.org.uk
Unit 1 Park Works
Category: Sports
Beginner skateboarding and stunt scooter sessions for young people with autism every Monday 2-4pm over the summer holidays 2022.
Phone: 01782 204722
Website: Unit 1 Park Works
Parent Engagement Group is Stoke (PEGIS)
Category: Support
A forum/support group for: parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND). Young people (up to the age of 25) with SEND to engage in informal discussion around educational issues and concerns.
Email: pegis.stoke@hotmail.com
Namco Funscape
Category: Entertainment
Dedicated lane away from noisy arcade machines for those with sensory issues.
Phone: 01827 68448
Website: Home - Namco Funscape