Support Groups
**£1 donation per visit suggested** **Children welcome**
The Avenue holds one relaxed, informal support group on the first Friday morning of every month (with the exception of bank holidays) at The Pentecostal Church, Crab Lane, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0LN.
Families can come and chat to other families who understand the highs and lows of living with autism. The Avenue is a positive, friendly group where you can share tips, knowledge and experience.
Note: If our support group falls in the school holidays the group changes to a holiday group for the children. See below information.
For times and information please refer to our calendar:
At our groups we support parent/carers, grandparents and relatives by:
- Listening and offering unconditional support, friendship and ideas to help you and your family
- Selling a small selection of sensory and communication aids such as wobble cushions, ear defenders, fidget bags, pencil grips and communication fans. (subject to stock availability).
- Signposting to other local organisations
- Arranging for other professional supportive organisations to visit our groups and provide free one to one informal chats for our parent/carers. (eg Behavourial Nanny, Physiotherapist, Carers in Bedfordshire, Educational Support)
- Having a growing library with a wide range of handouts, leaflets, catalogues and articles relating to autism and co-existing conditions.
- Displaying a variety of informative books on subjects such as Aspergers and Anxiety, 123 Magic, Understanding Behaviour, Selective Mutism, Anger, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing and much more.
- Providing toys to play with for the children who attend.
- Offering a photocopy service free of charge so you may photocopy any item from our library that may be of interest.
- Children are always welcome at our support groups but must be supervised and do remain the parent/carer’s responsibility.
Holiday Groups
Holiday groups are an ideal opportunity for the children with autism to expand their friendship circles and for the siblings to feel less isolated by meeting other siblings who understand what life at home is like.
Should one of our day time support groups fall in the school holidays then the group becomes a holiday support group where we provide (often free) entertainment for the children and their siblings.
These holiday groups focus on child led activities. 
Social Story_Holiday Group
Parent/carers must accompany their children to each group and places sometimes need to be pre booked. Please note that sometimes the holiday groups are held at an alternative venue.
Past entertainment has included Science Boffins workshop, creative play, circus skills, balloon making, face painting, sensory and balance play, soft play equipment, music workshops, den making, movies and hands on animal experiences.
The Avenue’s services are only accessible to families who have a child under 18 either diagnosed with autism or in the autism referral system.