Small, community groups led by members and facilitated by volunteers
We've launched an urgent appeal to raise £50,000 to cover this year’s funding shortfall for our Serendipity Community Groups. We rely on the generosity of our supporters and local community, along with grants from trusts. Find out more here and please donate today.
Find out more in the questions and answers below or watch this introductory video below.
Here is an easy read document about our Serendipity Community Groups.
Our Serendipity Community Groups are a great way for autistic adults to meet in a supportive and non-judgmental setting. Each group is welcoming and encourages new members to join and participate in any way they feel able to. If a new member just wants to come to a group and listen to others, then that is respected and there is no expectation that every member needs to participate.
Some groups are delivered online, and some groups are delivered in person. All groups are facilitated by a trained volunteer as well as our Serendipity team and/or community partner organisations.
Our groups are welcoming spaces where autistic adults can connect, share experiences, and/or take part in informal social activities such as board games or arts and crafts.
They are designed to be judgment-free, flexible, and supportive – whether you want to chat, listen, or just be around like-minded people, you're welcome to join us.
We also have specialist groups designed for people who want a more specific focus such as art, drama, and walking.
Our Serendipity groups are for all autistic adults aged 18+. Although we do have specific locations where the groups are delivered, you do not need to live in that area to join that group. You do not need to have an autism diagnosis to attend, it may be that you are on the pathway to diagnosis or feel that you are autistic. We understand that for some people, going through the diagnostic process is not for them.
Most people who attend the groups do so independently. Please speak to us in advance if you would like to or need to bring support with you to a group. You will need to be able to travel independently to/from the group or arrange your own transport.
By registering for Serendipity groups, you will need to agree to adhere to the Members Guidelines.
To join a Serendipity community group you will need to register as a member. By doing this, you are not committing to attend. Once you have registered as a member you will be provided with details about how to join the community groups. We run regular taster sessions for new members, to ensure that the group you attend is the right group for you.
It may be that our dedicated team would like to chat with you further about the suitability of the groups before you attend a taster session. The team will contact you if they need further information or would like to speak with you before attending. This is to make sure that the group is suited to your needs.
Equally, you can contact us on the below email if you have any questions.
To register as a member, you can do any of the following options:
1. Complete our Member Registration Form.
2. Email the team who will send you the registration form: serendipity@autismhampshire.org.uk
Serendipity groups meet regularly online and in person.
You do not have to attend the group closest to where you live, you may want to attend any of the groups.
In person groups
Online groups
Interest-based groups
View the schedules below for dates and times. For exact locations, email Serendipity@AutismHampshire.org.uk.
Our Life Skills group takes place once a month online and offers members a chance to discuss shared experiences, challenges, and practical strategies in a supportive environment.
Topics are chosen by group members so the discussions will vary each week. Some example discussions include time management, cooking, managing money, or online safety.
We're holding a new workshop to help you get more out of your health and fitness. Whether you're looking to start exercise, improve your wellbeing, or want to get more out of your fitness training, we’re hosting several free workshops which can help.
Each session will be run by Strong Path CIC, who provide inclusive, supportive fitness and wellbeing coaching tailored for the neurodivergent community.
Each session will cover:
Dates and booking
To make the workshops as accessible as possible, we have tied them in with three of our usual Serendipity Community Groups. These are:
Each of the above workshops will involve the same or similar content.
To reserve your place, simply email Serendipity@AutismHampshire.org.uk and let us know which session you would like to attend.
Already a regular member at one of these groups? The workshop is available to regular members at any of the groups above. Just let us know that you are planning to join us so we can plan for the right number of people.
A member of the group but not interested in the workshop? Where possible we will try to have a space available for members who want to continue their usual activities. Please just let us know.
We’re very much looking forward to bringing you this exclusive workshop. Hope to see you there!
1
2
3
1430-1630
Basingstoke
1700-1900
Portsmouth
4
1000-1200
Gosport
5
6
1000-1200
Bordon
1330-1530
Havant
7
1430-1630
Fareham
1500-1700
Eastleigh
8
9
1500-1630
Winchester
10
11
1100-1300
Shirley (Southampton)
1300-1500
Totton
1900-2030
Women's Online
12
1030-1230
New Forest Walk and Talk
1400-1600
New Milton
13
1100-1300
Swanmore
1515-1715
Southampton Art
14
16:00-18:00 Serendipity Online
15
16
17
1300-1500
MAST Drama
1430-1630
Basingstoke
1700-1900
Portsmouth
18
1000-1200
Gosport
19
1845-2000
Online Life Skills
20
1000-1200
Bordon
1330-1530
Havant
21
1430-1630
Fareham
1500-1700
Eastleigh
22
23
1500-1630
Winchester
24
25
1100-1300
Shirley (Southampton)
1300-1500
Totton
1900-2030
Women's Online
26
1400-1600
New Milton
27
1515-1715
Southampton Art
28
16:00-18:00 Serendipity Online
1
2
3
1430-1630
Basingstoke
1700-1900
Portsmouth incl. Health and Fitness Workshop
4
1000-1200
Gosport
5
6
1000-1200
Bordon
1330-1530
Havant
7
1430-1630
Fareham
1500-1700
Eastleigh incl. Health and Fitness Workshop
8
9
1500-1630
Winchester
10
11
1100-1300
Shirley (Southampton)
1300-1500
Totton
1900-2030
Women's Online
12
1030-1230
New Forest Walk and Talk
1400-1600
New Milton
13
1515-1715
Southampton Art
14
16:00-18:00 Serendipity Online
15
16
17
1300-1500
MAST Drama
1430-1630
Basingstoke incl. Health and Fitness Workshop
1700-1900
Portsmouth
18
1000-1200
Gosport
19
1845-2000
Online Life Skills
20
1000-1200
Bordon
1330-1530
Havant
21
1430-1630
Fareham
1500-1700
Eastleigh
22
23
1500-1630
Winchester
24
25
1100-1300
Shirley (Southampton)
1300-1500
Totton
1900-2030
Women's Online
26
1400-1600
New Milton
27
1515-1715
Southampton Art
28
16:00-18:00 Serendipity Online
29
30
31
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