High Functioning Trafford – A support group for autism families based in Trafford

Autism support group for the whole family

High-Functioning Trafford

We are a non-profit group based in Trafford, Greater Manchester, providing support for familes with autistic children by holding regular social events where the children (including any siblings) can have fun together without being judged, whilst parents can chat with others who understand their situation.

The Fuse family meet-ups

Most months we hold a drop-in meet up at The Fuse in Partington (parents must remain on site with their children), always from 2-4pm on a Sunday, where the whole family is welcome. Parents can chat and support each other (we also sometimes invite professionals along to talk to us, e.g. Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, researchers) and the children can socialise and play with the facilities available (computer games, table football, craft activities; and occasionaly we have organised for animals to be brought in or sports in the sport hall, a film to be shown, or wood craft activities but if you are on our e-mail mailing list you will always be warned in advance about any special activities taking place and it is always optional for children to join in or not as they like whilst they’re at The Fuse).

Without kids meet ups

We usually meet alternate months in a cafe, during the day during school hours, just for parents to have a chat over coffee if they can make it. The venue varies to hopefully make it easier for different people to attend. We regularly meet for coffee in Urmston, Sale, Altrincham and Chorlton. We also do mums meals out to a restaurant, in the evening, during the week.

Childrens activities

Each month we try to run an additional activity for the kids to take part in together (they must be accompanied by an adult). Some activities we’ve done in the past include trampolining, climbing, chocolate making, pizza making at Pizza Express, tours of places e.g. the BBC and CBeebies, barge trip. The kids get to have fun doing something they enjoy, possibly learning a new skill, whilst having the opportunity to socialise with other children. It’s also another opportunity for the parents to talk together and watch – or sometimes to join in!

We also run weekly karate lessons, during term time, at Sale Dojo for any children who want to learn.

Upcoming events

Upcoming Events

February 2020

Karate: Friday 21st, 28th – 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Mums Meal: Monday 17th, 7:30pm, San Giovanni, Urmston.

The Fuse: Sunday 23rd, 2 – 4pm. Free.

March 2020

Karate: Friday 6th, 13th, 20th. 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

The Fuse: Sunday 8th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

Coffee: Thursday 12th at 10am in Bean & Brush, Sale. No need to book. Non-members welcome.

Activity: Sunday 22nd, 10 – 11am, Trampolining, £8 per child (one place left).

April 2020

Karate: Friday 17th, 24th, 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Mums Meal: Thursday 16th at Bistro Pierre in Altrincham at 7:30pm. please let us know if you’re planning to attend so that we can book the table for the right number of people.

Activity: Sunday 19th, 11 – 1, cupcake making, £10 per child (please email to book a place)

The Fuse: Sunday 26th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

May 2020

Karate: Friday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Activity: Sunday 10th, barge trip. FULLY BOOKED

Coffee: Monday 18th, 10am at Bevano Lounge, Urmston. No need to book. Non-members welcome.

The Fuse: Sunday 24th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

June 2020

Karate: Friday 12th, 19th, 26th, 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Activity: Sunday 14th, climbing wall, time, venue and cost tbc

Mums Meal: Monday 22nd at The Bridge in Sale at 7:30pm. Please let us know if you’re planning to attend so that we can book the table for the right number of people.

The Fuse: Sunday 28th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

July 2020

Karate: Friday 3rd, 10th, 17th – 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Activity: Sunday 5th, raft building, time, venue and cost tbc (please email to book a place).

Coffee: Thursday 16th, 10am at Blanchflower, Altrincham. No need to book. Non-members welcome.

The Fuse: Sunday 19th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

August 2020

Break for the summer.

September 2020

Karate: Friday 11th, 18th, 25th – 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Coffee: Monday 21st, 10am at Bean & Brush, Sale. No need to book. Non-members welcome.

The Fuse: Sunday 13th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

October 2020

Karate: Friday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 30th – 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Mums Meal: Thursday 15th in Chorlton at 7:30pm. Please let us know if you’re planning to attend so that we can book the table for the right number of people.

The Fuse: Sunday 25th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

November 2020

Karate: Friday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th – 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Coffee: Thursday 12th at 10am in Bevano Lounge, Urmston. No need to book. Non-members welcome.

The Fuse: Sunday 22nd, 2 – 4pm. Free.

December 2020

Karate: Friday 4th, 11th, 18th – 5.30 – 6.30pm (£4/child/session).

Mums Meal: Monday 14th at The Bridge in Sale at 7:30pm. Please let us know if you’re planning to attend so that we can book the table for the right number of people.

The Fuse: Sunday 13th, 2 – 4pm. Free.

Supporting families

Our Team

Find out more about who we are and what’s important to us…

Jayne

Michelle

George

Fiona

Latest News

Find out about what the group has been up to recently!

Uncategorized

Pizza Making

Our February activity was Pizza making at Timperley Food Studios. After Avril explained why food hygiene is so important and everyone had washed their hands and put on their aprons …

Activities and trips

Sky High Climbing

Our November 2019 activity was a trip to Sky High Adventure for their clip ‘n’ climb! It was HFT’s first time visiting as a group and all went smoothly. They …

Research

Providing feedback on local health services

Earlier this year a representative from Healthwatch Trafford visited our monthly meet-up at The Fuse to ask us questions and gather/record our experiences of the health services (particularly CAMHS) in …

Activities and trips

All Aboard for a barge trip

Today some of our members enjoyed a fantastic afternoon sailing along the Bridgewater Canal from Stretford Marina to Eccles via Barton Aquaduct. Everyone enjoyed sitting on deck in the glorious …

Get in contact

If you have a query or would like to become a member, with a view to bringing your child along to monthly meet-ups and trips and to be kept up-to-date on upcoming events and news, please do get in contact.

If you don’t have access to email please contact us on the phone number provided below.

Please note, this is a parent-led group and each parent will be responsible for their own child/children’s welfare and safety therefore they will be expected to stay at our regular sessions.

View our privacy policy.

Contact

07592 675804 (Jayne Dillon)

hello@hftrafford.co.uk