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 Foundation, 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
The waiting list for the April 2025 intake is now full, but we have created a reserve list. Any young people on the reserve list who we are unable to start in April 2025 will be automatically added to the waiting list for the April 2026 intake.
If you wish to express an interest in referring a young person for the April 2025 reserve list, please email matt.dyde@sycamoretrust.org.uk
Girls Group
The waiting list for this group for autistic girls aged 10 to 17 living in Barking & Dagenham, Havering or Redbridge is currently frozen.
This section will be updated if/when the situation changes.
The activity is funded by The Tudor Trust for 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!
