Description
Our free workshops provide information and support to Bexley parents and carers following their child or young person's diagnosis.
They are co-presented by Karen Upton who is a retired Bexley GP with family and friends who are autistic and Stacey Yusuf, Project Coordinator for Bexley Voice and Bexley Mencap Trustee.
In the first part, Karen explains some terms you may have heard and gives some practical strategies to help communicate with your child and in the second part Stacey shares information about resources and support you can get, local to Bexley and nationally.
Please note the age ranges are a guide to how the session will be focused and we leave it to you to determine which would be best for you.
Why attend?
We understand that following an autism diagnosis, parents and carers have many feelings, thoughts and conflicting emotions. No two people are the same, but some of the common themes we often hear include:
- Relief that this is not something I have done wrong
- Relief, that there may be some help for me and my child
- Questions about what it will mean for my child
- Questions about what it will mean for me and my family
- Sadness, at the loss of the future I may not even have been aware I expected for my child
- Anger, about people who thought my parenting was causing my child’s behaviour or people who have treated me, or my child, badly
- Fear for the future
- Vindication – people did not take my concerns seriously
- Confusion about what to do next
- There must be some mistake
We understand that parents and carers need a period of adjustment, but also that there is a need for support, as early as possible, after diagnosis. We are therefore offering parents with a recently diagnosed child the opportunity to attend a workshop. This short session is intended to help those who need it, to understand a little more about the autism spectrum and to signpost you to support that is available locally and online, if and when you feel you need it.
Where are they held?
The workshops are held online and in person either during the day or in the evening.
In person: Bexley Voice Office, Learning & Enterprise College, 5 Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4EZ
Online: via Microsoft TEAMS sessions from your home (you may need to download the app to your laptop or phone)
Who can attend?
They are available to Bexley Voice members. If you are not a member, click here to apply to join (free membership is open to parents and carers of children or young people with special needs or disabilities who live in the Bexley borough and/or attend a Bexley borough educational setting).
When are they held?
Various. See below.
Do I need to book?
Yes, spaces are limited. You will need to complete the booking form on our events calendar.
Although the workshops are provided free of charge, they do require Bexley Voice resources to run (finances and volunteer time), so it is very important that any registered places are taken up. If you know that you cannot attend a session, for which you have registered, we respectfully request that you let us know in advance, so that we can either offer someone else a space or postpone the session. If you need to cancel on the day, due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know as soon as possible, even if this is after the event. We understand fully that on the day there can be emergencies which mean people cannot attend sessions for which they have registered.
Please contact:
Stacey.yusuf@bexleyvoice.org.uk
Workshops Available:
2025:
- Thursday 11th Sept 6:30-9pm - 12 years plus, online via TEAMS - FULL
- Thursday 16th Oct 10am-12:30pm Under 12 years - Learning & Enterprise College Bexley, Brampton Road - FULL
- Thursday 6th Nov 6:30-9pm - 12 years plus, online via TEAMS - FULL
- Thursday 4th Dec 6:30-9pm - Under 12 years, online via TEAMS
For face-to-face sessions, please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the start time to allow for registration and refreshments.
To see 2026 dates click on the button above.