Views expressed on this website are not necessarily those of The National Autistic Society and reference to specific services or approaches to autism does not

imply endorsement, nor does the absence of any services or approaches imply that NAS Richmond does not support them.

Images in this website credited to Allan Sears, Alison Sears, and the Microsoft Office and Bing Clip Art image libraries.

All material © The National Autistic Society (Richmond Branch) 2025 and cannot be reproduced without permission.

NAS Data Protection and Privacy Policy. At The National Autistic Society we are committed to protecting your privacy. Our policy has been written in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. View the NAS Data Protection and Privacy Policy: https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/about-us/website/data.aspx

Website Terms and conditions of use. By using an NAS branch website you agree to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions, which take effect immediately on your first use of any NAS website. View the NAS Terms and Conditions of use for NAS websites: https://www.autism.org.uk/branchtermsofuse

The National Autistic Society HQ National Autistic Society, 2nd Floor, Weston Hous, 42 Curtain Road,London EC2A 3NH Tel: 020 7833 2299   Email: nas@nas.org.uk   Website: www.autism.org.uk

KNOTS ARTS DRAMA SESSIONS AND YOUTH CLUB

Knots Arts continues to successfully support youngsters with social and communication difficulties.  Drama sessions for children aged 4 to 16, and a youth group for for teenagers run every Saturday in term-time in East Sheen/Mortlake. They have a limited number of funded and assisted places for the clubs.  

Please note that the drama sessions have been running online via Zoom during the coronavirus outbreak. For further information about the Knots Arts youth group, please  

email hello@knotsarts.com.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Cassie Yates on 07947 212485, email  hello@knotsarts.com or visit Knots Art's website https://www.knotsarts.com/.

THE CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR FOUNDATION

Would you like to chat with other family carers in a similar situation? Have you ever wanted the opportunity to get some support from someone who's been in your shoes? The Challenging Behaviour Foundation's Family Carers' Email Network could be for you!

The network is open to any family member caring for a relative with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour is described as challenging. So whether you are a parent, sibling, grandparent or even an aunt or uncle, you will be very welcome to join.

All the messages are anonymous and you can ask for advice on any issue you'd like. There have been questions about challenging behaviour, iPad apps, strong furniture, how to become a deputy, renovating your house...the possibilities are endless.

To join the network, just visit the Family Carers' Email Network webpage where you'll find a link to the Email Network application form. For more information about the Challenging Behaviour Foundation and what it can offer you, please visit their website: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk./

ACTIVITIES, NEWS & EVENTS

RISE MULTI-SPORTS CLUB ACTIVITIES

Richmond Inclusive Sports and Exercise (RISE) provides a varied programme of activities for children and young people who have a disability.

These activities include football, Fusion junior dance, golf, rugby, swimming, tennis trampolining and wheelchair basket ball. RISE also offers its Saturday Multi-Sport Club plus Rise to Shine. Rise to Shine is a project to get young people who live or go to school in Richmond Borough involved in the London Youth Games.

For more details, please visit RISE Activities for young people. If you would like any further information about RISE, inclusive and disability specific sport or exercise activities, call RISE on 020 8831 6134 or email rise@richmond.gov.uk from Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm.

RISE also offers sporting opportunities to adults, the details of which can be found on the Young People and Adults page.

THE CURLY HAIR PROJECT WEBINARS

The Curly Hair Project aims to help women and girls who have an autism spectrum condition and their loved ones who don't have this condition to communicate and understand each other better.

Should you have a daughter who has a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition, if you have this diagnosis yourself or think you could be 'on the spectrum', why not book a place on a Curly Hair Project webinar?

Details of forthcoming webinars can be found on the Young People and Adults page  and if you would like to learn more about the Curly Hair Project, its services and resources, do visit https://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk.

ACTIVITY STATION

Activity Station organises fun and exciting activities for people with disabilities in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and beyond. They also work with other organisations to bring accessible and inclusive events to people across different age groups, covering a wide range of interests.  

Please go to the Young People and Adults page to find out more about the latest Activity Station events. Do visit www.activitystation.org.uk to learn more about Activity Station has to offer.

RICHMOND MENCAP: CHILDREN'S & YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACTIVITIES

Richmond Mencap are offering some exciting services to both current and new users, all of which are delivered by Richmond Mencap's staff team. Do contact them for more information about any of the groups and activites below on 020 8744 1923 or at office@richmondmencap.org.uk. before attending.

These include:

Meeting Place

A social club formed to provide a safe place to chat, socialise and meet with peers. The Meeting Place is for people living independently in the borough and ensures people are supported so they do not feel isolated. A fun, lively and happy place to chill out and catch up on the week. The group cook for each other, enjoy film nights and visit local pubs.

Venue: ETNA Community Centre

Wednesdays 4pm – 8pm

Working Together Group

The Working Together Group is a friendly team based in the Richmond area. We talk about and help other people in Richmond with Learning Disabilities. We link up with other charities and Richmond Council members to make Richmond a better place for people with learning disabilities and/ or autism to live in.

We work with the local Learning Disability Partnership Board on restructuring Richmond services. We discuss health, jobs, voting, housing, transport and leisure. We also do nurse training at local hospitals to raise awareness on learning disabilities. We tell doctors and nurses about our past experiences and how to communicate with different disabilities. We also talk about reasonable adjustments, hospital passports and VIP red bags.

We are currently delivering quality checks across the borough to make sure Richmond services are the best they can possibly be.

Something To Say Drama Club

Something to Say is Richmond Mencap’s local performing arts group  – we love our drama and have lots to say! As young adults with different learning abilities, we practice performing arts and create powerful performances inspired by themes and issues that affect our own lives.

Every Thursday, Something to Say meet up at Richmond Mencap’s Our Space where we play games with our friends and learn new skills in drama, dance and music. With the help of professional actors, dancers and artists, we have put on shows, made our own costumes, written our own plays, and even made our own films!

Something to Say helps everyone grow in confidence and creativity.

Wii and Pizza Club

A relaxed friendship group who meet up once a month to eat pizza and play games at the Crossway Centre.  This monthly Sunday club is open to adults.

Mencap Club

Our wellbeing and social group. Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

Venue: ETNA Community Centre

Time: 12pm – 3pm

Music & More

Join our music therapy group for adults. Have fun, play games and try lots of different instruments.

Venue: Crossway, St Stephen’s Church Hall

Time: 10.30am – 1pm

Every term time Friday

Holiday Opportunities Programme (HOP)

HOP runs during the summer months offering activities and trips for adults of all ages, suitable for all abilities.  

Richmond Mencap Children and Young People Activities

Activities for 8 – 17 year olds

They currently run activities for children and young people during half terms, summer holidays, and once a month on a Sunday. For more information, please get in touch on 0208 744 1923 or email office@richmondmencap.org.uk

Please do contact Richmond Mencap for more information about any of the above groups and activites on 020 8744 1923 or at office@richmondmencap.org.uk.

DIMENSIONS AUTISM FRIENDLY FILMS

Dimensions are thrilled to announce that the autism friendly film screenings are

continuing.

A list of the cinema chains that show special screenings each month

are given below:

Cineworld -

Showcase -

Picturehouse -

Odeon -

Everyman -

Vue -

To find your nearest participating cinema and to make an online booking, please visit Dimension's Autism Friendly Screenings webpage.

FREE INTRODUCTION TO MAKERTON

We will be holding another of these events soon so check on our facebook page

for when we have a date confirmed.

FREE WALK AND TALK PICKNIC AND EVENTS

We are pleased to anounce that Richmond NAS will be holding another new event in our "walk and Talk" series for adults on the autistic spectrum.

Join Richmond NAS and bring-your-own picnic, buy something at the cafe near the start or just bring yourself to enjoy connections, conversations and a chance to enjoy nature.

Saturday 6th September, 1-3pm

Meet at Hanwell Station

(We kindly request that you don't bring nut products, due to some people potentially having nut allergies).

Kingston Ramblers Assocation

Neurodiversity Walks: Bushy Park Circular

Sunday, 7th September

Neurodiverse walk -  welcome people with Autism Spectrum, ADHD, Dyslexia, but anyone is welcome to come on our walks and appreciate the great outdoors!

Meeting:  Hampton Court Station outside opposite shops.

Route:  Hampton Green - Woodland Plantation -   Its around 5 miles.  

If you require a carer or medication please ensure your own responsibility for bringing them with you. It is mandatory for anyone with a carer to have them stay on the walk with you.

First time with Ramblers:  You can turn up to 3 walks free of charge, but after that you can decide if you would like to join as a member of our charity - in which you can join any walk you like in the country.

Circular Walk

Start time 11am