Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
ASPENS CHARITIES
Tagline goes here
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
Work for us Donate Fundraise for us
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About us
    • Our mission and values
    • Who we are
      • How we're funded
      • Our trustees
      • Our executive team
      • Financial statements
    • Work for us
    • Contact us
    • Our policies
  • What we do
    • Adult services
      • About our adult services
      • Residential
      • Supported living
      • Day services
      • Community outreach
    • Children's services
      • About our children's services
      • Children's services in East Sussex
      • Children's services in West Sussex
      • Children's residential
    • Positive Behaviour Support
    • Family support
    • Specialist support
    • Referrals
  • Support us
    • Our partnerships
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Fundraise
    • Gifts in will
    • Trusts, foundations and statutory funders
  • Visit us
    • Our high street shops
    • Bluebell Cafe
    • Roebuck Centre
  • News and events
    • Newsletter
    • News
    • Covid 19 Information
    • Events
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Family support

Family support

How Aspens supports your family

Aspens is here to help families to care more confidently for individuals with autism spectrum condition (ASC), learning difficulties and complex needs. We welcome all family members, whether you are a parent, sibling, grandparent or friend of someone with a disability, of any age.

We understand that finding the right information and support can be hard, we are here to listen and offer advice.  We strive to increase understanding, challenge perceptions and encourage acceptance of autism spectrum condition, learning difficulties and other complex needs.  We offer support before, during and after an ASC diagnosis.

We understand the challenges for individuals who do not yet have an autism diagnosis and how confusing things can be post diagnosis.  Our advice, guidance, signposting and support is on-going, for as long as a family wishes.

Online support

We offer online support for parents, carers and professionals who are living or working with someone who has autism spectrum condition, learning difficulties or complex needs

Talk to one of our experienced specialists via Live Chat Our specialists are available (times updated 15 March 2021):

MONDAY - 9:30-11:30am/  7:00-9:00pm; TUESDAY - 1:00-2:30pm; 6:00-7:30pm; WEDNESDAY - 9:00-11:00am/ 3:00-5:00pm; THURSDAY - 10:00am-12:00pm/ 3:30-5:00pm; FRIDAY - 9:00-11:00am/ 1:00-3:00pm

Face-to-face clinics

Aspens runs clinics where parents, carers and professionals who are living or working with someone who has autism spectrum condition, learning difficulties or complex needs can drop in for a chat.  If you'd like to speak to someone face-to-face, book an appointment - our engagement officers will work with you to address your specific circumstances.

This service is currently commissioned by West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group. We are looking to secure further funding so we can offer more opportunities to people across Sussex and Kent.

If you would like a face to face clinic and live outside West Sussex we can book you into a virtual family clinic.  The cost for this 30 minutes consultation is £20.

Just call 01243 214120 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.

Free workshops

Aspens works in partnership with other providers to run free workshops for parents, carers and professionals living or working with someone who has autism spectrum condition, learning difficulties or complex needs.  

Working with organisations including Mind Coastal, which facilitates our courses, and West Sussex CCG, which funds our programme of learning events, we offer a varied selection of workshops and courses to enable families to develop their understanding of the conditions and issues experienced by their children. 

  AUTISM & ADHD Brochure

We're also happy to talk at local parent and carer support groups, tailoring workshops to requirements.

Sibling support

It can be tough for children and young people who are living with a sibling who has autism spectrum condition, learning difficulties or complex needs.  Aspens' sibling groups are fun meet-ups that siblings come to so they can play games, share experiences, have their voices heard and get some friendly advice, when they need it, both from other siblings and from experienced Aspens staff.  

If you're worried about a child or young person who is sibling to a brother or sister with a disability, our specialist team can help. We offer 1-1 sibling clinics - home or in the community - to support self-esteem, increase knowledge and offer tactics and strategies to deal with the types of behaviours siblings sometimes encounter when living with a brother or sister with a disability.

[email protected] 

Meet the family support team

Karen Enticknapp, Family Support Administrator

Karen is an experienced Personal Assistant and Office Administrator with in the legal sector until before joining Aspens.  Karen has also been a youth worker and mentor for young offenders. Karen is instrumental to our service and the first point of contact for many of our families.

Call 01243 214120 or email [email protected]

“I am used to being the first contact clients have when facing difficult situations, often feeling distressed and vulnerable. I enjoy helping people and working as Administrator within the Family Support Team gives me the opportunity and privilege of providing a ‘listening ear’ to all who make that initial contact for help, and be part of a great team who deliver the service we can provide.” 

Tasha Brabon, Family Support Engagement Officer

Tasha has over 12 years’ experience of working with children, young people and their families, who live with a range of special needs including Autism. Tasha has a wealth of knowledge about the services within the county and uses this to support families. Her background is Short Breaks and supporting families through their journeys.

Call 07850 907358 or email [email protected]

“By supporting the family as a whole you are able to help provide an environment for the individual to be feel supported. I enjoy being able to help family members who spend their time helping those they care for”

Hannah Cordrey, Family Engagement Officer

Hannah Cordrey is our family engagement officer. Hannah has over 11 years' experience working with children/young people and families, including working with young people with special education needs. She has a lot of autism knowledge and experiences in schools, behaviour management and care. Hannah keenly supports her local community through the Scout Association, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme and projects abroad.  Hannah works across the county with professionals, young people and families.

Published: 21st January, 2020

Updated: 15th March, 2021

Author: Nikki Lehel

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • A Positive Covid Vaccine Experience for John

    A Positive Covid Vaccine Experience for John

    Ali Burnett, Service Manager, describes how being well prepared when taking John to have his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, helped make the experience a positive one.

  • Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Joins Us as Shops & Cafe Welcome Back Customers

    Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Joins Us as Shops & Cafe Welcome Back Customers

    After months in lockdown, our five retail shops and our Cafe and Cornford Lane site reopened today, with the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Councillor Joy Podbury, and Eastbourne Councillor Alan Shuttleworth officially ‘reopening’ two of our branches.

  • Join us as The  Bluebell Cafe, Woodland Walk & Playground Reopen on Monday!

    Join us as The Bluebell Cafe, Woodland Walk & Playground Reopen on Monday!

    Come for a coffee & enjoy beautiful views as our newly refurbished Bluebell Cafe reopens this Monday! The rest of our grounds at our stunning site just outside Tunbridge Wells, including the woodland walk, children's playground, outdoor gym and animal barn are also reopening.

  • Special Guests to Reopen our Charity Shops

    Special Guests to Reopen our Charity Shops

    We're delighted to announce the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne Councillor Alan Shuttleworth are officially reopening our Paddock Wood and Hampden Park branches, as all our shops open their doors again on Monday 12th April. The first ten customers to each shop will also receive a free keyring and bookmark!

Most read

  • A carer's view on lockdown

    A carer's view on lockdown

    Aspens carer and NHS staff counsellor Richard Gray talks about caring for people in Covid-19

  • An update to parents and carers

    Please see our CEO's letter to ensure you're up to date with the latest developments as lockdown measures are gradually eased

  • See Aspens on BBC South East

    See Aspens on BBC South East

    Our trustee, Peter Green, welcomes Coronavirus tests for the under-65's in care homes

  • CEO Robbie Shanahan's message to staff and carers

    As Mental Health Awareness Week draws to a close, Robbie shares a heartfelt message with the extended Aspens family

  • Aspens Christmas Trees on Sale from Saturday!

    Aspens Christmas Trees on Sale from Saturday!

    Christmas trees will go on sale from this Saturday 28th November at Cornford Lane. Buy your tree from Aspens and help us continue to provide a vital service to those we support.

  • Aspens Provide

    Aspens Provide "Life Changing" Support for Family

    With the government's recent announcement to launch a review of children's social care, we talk to Sharon, mum of Joe, who has ASD, about how Aspen's family specialist support team's help has been "truly life changing".

  • Thanks to Our Marvellously Merry Quizzers!

    Thanks to Our Marvellously Merry Quizzers!

    A huge thanks to everyone who took part in our Merry Quizmas virtual event last night - you were all quizztastic!

  • Join us as The  Bluebell Cafe, Woodland Walk & Playground Reopen on Monday!

    Join us as The Bluebell Cafe, Woodland Walk & Playground Reopen on Monday!

    Come for a coffee & enjoy beautiful views as our newly refurbished Bluebell Cafe reopens this Monday! The rest of our grounds at our stunning site just outside Tunbridge Wells, including the woodland walk, children's playground, outdoor gym and animal barn are also reopening.

  • Richard Anstead of Aspens talks to KMFM about how Aspens' services have been impacted by Covid-19 closures

    Richard Anstead of Aspens talks to KMFM about how Aspens' services have been impacted by Covid-19 closures

    Listen to Richard's radio interview

  • Aspens Featured In Covid-19 Item on BBC South East News

    Aspens was featured as part of item on BBC South East Today raising awareness on the importance of prioritising those with learning disabilities for the COVID-19 vaccination.

Latest tweet

Registered office:
Cornford Lane
Pembury
Kent
TN2 4QU

+44 (0) 1892 822 168
[email protected]

Compliments, comments & suggestions
about our services should be sent to:
[email protected]

Complaints should be sent to:
[email protected] 

© Aspens. Registered in England and Wales
Charity number: 1171446. Company number: 10342980

  • Work for us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Glossary of Terms (Please email [email protected] if you believe our Glossary needs amending)
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Covid-19 Information