Explore Programme 

(Weekday Autistic Young Women’s Group) 

 


When? – Monday 10am - 12 midday - Term Time (12 sessions per term). 


Where?   – The Cosy Café, The Lighthouse, High Street, Woking.  See below for a map of the area and photos of the Cafe.  The Cosy Cafe is a quiet cafe which is run as a social enterprise by volunteers. They actively recruit neurodivergent volunteers too.  Find out more here. 

 

What is the Appeer Explore Programme? 


The Explore Programme is an Appeer Alternative Provision Group Programme which takes place during the week in term time.  The Explore Programme follows a rolling 12-week plan which enables participants to build confidence each time they access activities.  The Explore Programme is a 2-hour weekly group session where autistic young women aged 18 -30 can connect with their peers whilst enjoying a range of activities. 


These activities aim to: 


  • Explore, discuss and practice life skills and work skills. 
  • Reduce social isolation and boost wellbeing 
  • Explore and promote an understanding of self, including as autistic and neurodivergent individuals. 
  • Improve abilities to connect, self-advocate and communicate with others. 

 

Equally importantly, the Group provides a pressure-free space for the Participants to be valued and supported just as they are, so they can express themselves, explore their interests and talents on their own terms and in a neuro-affirming environment.  

 

Who is the Group for? 


The Programme is targeted to support autistic young women who:  may not be in work, including those who work part time or aren’t working at all. May not be in education, including those who access online or in person Higher Education. 

 

 

We can support Participants who have EHCPs (this includes those who have EOTAS packages or who are on a college/university roll but require additional support from Appeer to help make college/university successful). 

 

Who is eligible? 


Appeer is generally able to accept applications from those who meet all of the following criteria and whom we assess that we can support safely and effectively within our Explore Group: 


  • Have a diagnosis of autism or are actively seeking a diagnosis. 
  • Are able to travel to our setting in Woking, Surrey. 
  • Are 18 to 25 years of age (there is some flexibility to cater for those above 25 years). 
  • Identify as a girl or woman (she/her) or who were socialised as females and/or were assigned female at birth who may be gender questioning. 
  • Are able to access the Group without 1:1 support and with a reasonable degree of independence.  
  • Are likely to benefit from Appeer activities and the prospective peer group. 

 


What will happen? 


We offer a choice led Programme, following the Appeer Key Strands.  Our activities are planned in advance to gently encourage and support social connections, life skills and independence.  

The Programme explores various social and life skills every 12 weeks including: 


  • Exploring the Town Centre – shops, library, post office etc. 
  • Exploring Travel – planning bus and rail trips, understanding apps and timetables and booking tickets. 
  • Exploring Careers – discussing volunteering and work opportunities, CV and covering letter writing. 
  • Exploring Skills – sharing our talents and learning new skills (craft, art, beauty etc). 
  • Exploring the Future – discussing and making plans to fulfil our aspirations. 

 


Why do you repeat the Programme every 12 weeks? 


Every 12 weeks we repeat the Programme in order to build each individual’s confidence in accessing each activity.  An example of how this may look is as follows: 

 

Library Access Activity: 


Session 1 – Jane managed to go with the group to the library but found it difficult to go inside. 

Session 2  – 12 weeks later the group visit the library again, this time Jane could go into the library with the group and take a look around.  But, she wasn’t sure about asking for help getting a library card so she watched her peers ask at the desk. 

Session 3  – another 12 weeks later the group visit the library again, this time Jane is able to ask for the library card herself.  She was even happy for a new peer to stand with her and our facilitator whilst she asked at the desk! 

Session 4  – another 12 weeks later the group visit the library again, this time Jane is able to go in alone, choose a book and use her library card to take it out, independently. 

Session 5 – another 12 weeks later the group visit the libary again, Jane is able to support another group member to access the library by showing them her favourite area and pointing out the help desk. 

And so on..... 

 

Our Session Plans are choice led and guided by our group, e.g. we might have a broad plan to access the Library in Week 4, but most of the group may want to go and look at the Post Office instead.  This is why we email a Session Plan out to our Participants 48 hours in advance of each Session – sometimes it changes slightly depending on what the cohort need and want.  


The activities are based around a flexible session plan which will takes following format: 


Welcome. This usually takes the form of joining our regular table in the Cosy Cafe to have a brief catch up and check in with staff. (We can arrange a quiet area if you need to settle into the morning at your own pace). We may encourage you to order a drink from the cafe (with support if appropriate) and catch up on last week’s news. 


Main Activity - This might be to go out to the shops or travel, or we may do a workshop or learn a new skill in the cafe. 


Alternative Activities   - We will always aim to provide a board games/craft activity and a quiet area if you need some downtime in any given week or session.  

 

During our Sessions we offer optional autism, neurodiversity, and wellbeing related exploration and discussions.  


What is the cost? - see our pricing page.