Young People's Services
Sycamore Trust U.K. offers a range of services designed for Autistic young people and / or people with Learning Disabilities. All staff and volunteers receive up-to-date training to allow them to support our young people in the appropriate manner
Youth Services
Youth Groups [Life & Social Skills Programme]
We deliver a 12-month life and social skills programme, funded by City Bridge Trust, which runs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings in term time.
The programme is open to young people aged 10 to 17 years old with a diagnosis of mild to moderate {higher functioning) autism who live in the London boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, or Redbridge. Young people who live in one of the three boroughs and have been referred to CAMHS for an autism assessment may also be eligible.
Running for 12-months from April to the following March, the members cover 30 life skills topics split into six modules:
- Relationships
- Social Skills
- Health and Hygiene
- Independent Travel
- Independent Living
- Wellbeing and Mental Health
The programme is an enhanced version of one we delivered from 2019 to 2023 and we know that it helps to boost self-confidence, independence, mental health, and general wellbeing.
A typical session involves each group spending half an hour working on a life skills topic followed by a fun activity chosen to promote social interaction and teamwork.
The groups are:
- Monday Club - 6.30pm to 8.30pm in Becontree
- Tuesday Club - 6.30pm to 8.30pm in Becontree
- Wednesday Club - 6.30pm to 8.30pm in Rainham
We currently have a handful of places left for the April 2024 intake at Wednesday Club, and we are about to start building the waiting list for the April 2025 intake. If wish to make an enquiry about the final few places available now or express an interest in referring a young person for the April 2025 intake, please email activities@sycamoretrust.org.uk
Girls Group
We deliver a group specifically for girls with mild to moderate autism (higher functioning) aged 11 to 17 years who live in Barking & Dagenham, Havering, or Redbridge. It is funded by The Tudor Trust and runs in Becontree on a Saturday lunchtime from 11am to 1pm. Girls who live in one of the three boroughs and have been referred to CAMHS for an autism assessment may also be eligible.
Sometimes, girls can avoid being diagnosed because they are good at copying others, and studies suggest that the ratio of boys with a diagnosis of autism compared to girls is 3:1. This can result in a lack of services for girls on the spectrum. Thanks to the support of Tudor Trust, we have addressed this imbalance with a 'girls only' group.
The objective of the group is to empower the members to develop social skills and independence through a variety of activities designed to stimulate friendship, cooperation, and fun!
To make an enquiry about Girls Group, please email girlsproject@sycamoretrust.org.uk
