Support our Serendipity Community Groups this Christmas

Make a donation and help us reduce isolation for autistic people in Hampshire.

Research shows autistic adults experience greater levels of loneliness as well as more intense distress associated with it [1]. In Hampshire, 64% find it difficult [2] to make new friends. Without support, autistic people risk feeling alone, leading to potential mental health challenges.

For over ten years, Autism Hampshire has been dedicated to reducing isolation for autistic adults through our Serendipity Community Groups. We welcome everyone, from those who self-identify to individuals pre-, during, or post-diagnosis. Currently, we have more than 200 active members participating in 20 groups each month.

Our Serendipity Community Groups offer a safe, accessible, and inclusive space that empowers autistic adults to make friends, learn essential life and social skills, support their wellbeing and mental health, and engage in activities they may not otherwise pursue.

In our members’ survey last year:

• 93% reported feeling less isolated.
• 75% felt more confident since joining.
• 99% would recommend their group to other autistic adults.

We urgently need your support

Unfortunately, we do not receive statutory funding for our Serendipity Community Groups. We rely on the generosity of our supporters and local community, along with grants from trusts. We are grateful for support from the National Lottery Community Fund, but we still need to raise £50,000 to cover this year’s funding shortfall. Increased competition makes securing funding more challenging, so your support is vital to continue our mission.

What you can do to reduce loneliness

• Make a one-off or regular donation.
• Donate instead of sending Christmas cards this year.
• Visit our charity shop.
• Organise your own fundraising (click on fundraise for us at the top of the Enthuse appeal page).
• Take part in a challenge event.
• Ask your employer to donate or sponsor a Serendipity Community Group.

The impact of your donation

• £25 would pay for an autistic adult to find support at a bimonthly Serendipity Community Group session.
• £50 would purchase craft/art supplies for a Serendipity Community Group.
• £600 enables an autistic adult to be a part of a Serendipity Community Group for a whole year.
• £1,000 could support activities at a Serendipity Community Group for a year.
• £4,000 could support autistic adults to take part in 12 masterclasses each year.
• £7,800 could pay for a Serendipity Community Group for autistic adults for a year.

Appeal page on Enthuse

View the donations made so far and the supporters' comments on our Enthuse campaign page. You can also create your own fundraiser or bring together friends and family to create a fundraising team.

Our Christmas top tips

As our way of saying thank you for your support, we have put together a list of our top tips for Christmas.

Whether you are autistic yourself or have autistic family members friends or colleagues, these tips might give you some ideas as to how to make the festive season more enjoyable and inclusive.

You can view all of our top tips here.

Thank you for your support. 

For further information, please contact Lauren at fundraising@autismhampshire.org.uk or phone 01489 880 881.

[1] (2024, September 16). “I'm Trying to Reach Out, I'm Trying to Find My People”: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Link Between Sensory Differences, Loneliness, and Mental Health in Autistic and Nonautistic Adults, Autism in Adulthood, 4(3), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2022.0062, 16 September 2024 

[2] Hampshire’s Autism Public Survey 2022.