ONLINE INTEREST GROUPS FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN & TEENS

GROVE runs online interest‑based peer groups for Autistic children and young people to build friendships, connect through shared interests and feel genuinely understood in a neuro‑affirming, entirely Autistic space. 

GROVE’s Mentors are all Autistic and are autism specialists ensuring we are at the cutting-edge of neuro-affirming practice.

MONDAY

SCIENCE – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? Each week the group explores a science topic through lively discussion, quizzes, and fact-sharing. Tangents are common and deep dives are definitely encouraged! As this is an established group, it’s evolved around what the current young people enjoy – mostly open conversation and sharing ideas. New members will be warmly welcomed and will help shape future topics too!

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentors, Fergus and Helen, with a minimum of 4  and maximum of 8 young people.

• WHEN? 12.30 – 1.30pm

• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE OVER 12

• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 

DRAGONS – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? A space for young people fascinated by dragons, myths, and fantasy worlds. Participants can share stories, create their own dragons, and discuss dragon lore, while building creativity and connections with peers who share their interests.

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, Sabina, with a minimum of 4  and maximum of 8 young people.

• WHEN? 4 – 5pm
• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE UNDER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 

TUESDAY

JAPAN – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? A space for young people who love Japan to explore the culture, geography, language and anything else that may be of interest!

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, Louise, with 4/5 young people.

• WHEN? 4 – 5pm
• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE OVER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 

LEGO – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? A space for young people who love LEGO to share their builds, create together, and bring their ideas to life! This group is all about imagination, collaboration, and celebrating creativity – whether you enjoy following instructions or inventing your own unique designs. They can come along to build, chat (if they want!) and be inspired by others who love LEGO just as much as they do. Note this is not ‘Lego therapy’.

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, Charlotte, with a minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 young people.

• WHEN? 4 – 5pm
• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE UNDER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 

REPTILES – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? A space for young people who love snakes, lizards, turtles, or any scaly friends! This group is all about exploring, sharing, and celebrating reptiles – whether you’re a seasoned reptile fan or just curious!

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, Sabina, with a minimum of 4  and maximum of 8 young people.

• WHEN? 5 – 6pm
• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE UNDER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 

MYTHOLOGY – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP?

  Fascinated by gods, heroes, monsters, and magical stories from around the world? This group is all about exploring myths, legends, and epic tales together!

  Each session we could:

  • Share and retell favourite myths
  • Play fun mythology quizzes and “Guess the God/Goddess” challenges
  • Draw characters, mythical creatures, or legendary scenes
  • Create our own myths or short stories
  • Explore myths from different cultures and what they teach us
  • Discuss the themes, morals, and mysteries behind the tales

  No prior knowledge needed – just bring your curiosity, imagination, and love of stories!

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, Sabina, with a minimum of 4  and maximum of 6 young people.

• WHEN? Tuesday 6 – 7pm
• AGE RANGE OVER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 

WEDNESDAY

ANIMALS (lively group) – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? Young people come together and share in the glory of the animal kingdom. From pets to working animals to wild creatures, from British wildlife to the creatures from other nations, from cold blooded to warm blooded, from the deep ocean dwellers to those that swing in trees, from the animals that thrive in frozen landscapes to those that survive in deserts, we will follow our interests and desires and grow our knowledge and adoration for animals as close to home or as far away as we fancy. And maybe we will even imagine new and exciting cross breeds! 

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentors Louise and Charlotte, with a group of 4 to 8 young people who are comfortable in a louder and more lively group group.

• WHEN? 4 – 5pm
• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE UNDER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 
  

AROUND THE WORLD – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP?  All of groups are adapted to suit the young people who attend, so what we do will be guided by what they are interested in and enjoy!

  For instance it could be that each week we will explore a new country – its culture, language, animals, food, and traditions perhaps through games, crafts, videos, and maybe quizzes if the group likes that sort of thing. We may also play GeoGuessing, a game that drops us into random locations around the globe. Using clues from our surroundings, we work together to figure out where we are!

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, George.

• WHEN? 4 – 5pm
• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE OVER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 
  

THURSDAY

POKEMON – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? Whether you’re into the games, the show, the cards, or just the creatures themselves – come join us for some Pokémon fun and connection!

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, Craig and a minimum of 4, maximum of 8 young people. Craig will be joined by another Mentor if we have 5 or more young people.

• WHEN? 12 – 12.45pm

• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE UNDER 12

• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £26.25
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £11.25

ANIMALS (quiet group) – waiting list available, please express an interest here.

• WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE GROUP? Young people come together and share in the glory of the animal kingdom. From pets to working animals to wild creatures, from British wildlife to the creatures from other nations, from cold blooded to warm blooded, from the deep ocean dwellers to those that swing in trees, from the animals that thrive in frozen landscapes to those that survive in deserts, we will follow our interests and desires and grow our knowledge and adoration for animals as close to home or as far away as we fancy. And maybe we will even imagine new and exciting cross breeds! 

• WHO WITH? Our Autistic Mentor, Charlotte, with a small group of 4 or 5 young people who need a very quiet group.

• WHEN? 5 – 6pm
• SUGGESTED AGE RANGE UNDER 12
• COST:
• Full-price space if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds): £35
• Discounted spaces for parents/carers self-funding: £15 
  

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GROVE INTEREST GROUPS

How do I book?

Enquire directly by emailing jess@gr0ve.org or complete an expression of interest using the link on the group you want. If and when a space becomes available we’ll reach out – please feel free to give us a shout on jess@gr0ve.org anytime for an update though.

Does my young person need a diagnosis to attend?

No, we welcome Autistic young people who are awaiting assessment and self-identified as Autistic. It is essential that your young person knows they are or may be Autistic though.

Are these groups only for Autistic young people?

At the moment, yes. 

How long do the groups run for?

Most of our groups run without an end date and with pre-arranged breaks. Once your person has a place, they keep that place for as long as they want it (subject to Terms and Conditions).

What happens after I book?

Once we have enough bookings to start the group then you will receive an email to notify you along with an invoice. Until that time, feel free to reach out for an update and please share details of our groups far and wide!

Before the group starts you’ll be sent our GROVE Group Guide with all the information needed to join.

How do I pay? And what does it cost?

Invoices will be sent once we have enough bookings to run and will be sent monthly thereafter.

A full-price space is £35 per session and that is charged if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds), if a parent/carer is self-funding we discount that to £15 per session. 

Can we have a trial?

As we re-book monthly, your first month is like a trial anyway – you are not committed beyond that and if it’s not working out for your young person you can give up their space at that point.  We can arrange single trial sessions for established groups – just give Jess a shout on jess@gr0ve.org 

How can I book a session that is funded by an EHCP / EOTAS / EOTIS, personal budget or any other professional means?

It’s no different if you have a personal budget – just go ahead and get in touch.

If you need us to invoice someone else and already have agreement for funding, you can email Jess on jess@gr0ve.org to reserve a space.

Please do not book until you have LA agreement for funding – if you need help with that we are happy to write personalised letters of recommendation using EHCP targets/outcomes, just email to enquire.

VIEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS

More FAQ’s can be found at the bottom of this page.