Social opportunities for over 16s who identify on the autism, Asperger syndrome, and similar spectrums. This includes (but not limited to) AD(H)D, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, social anxiety, dyscalculia, Bipolar, Borderline Personality disorder, Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, OCD, and schizophrenia. Participants may attend the group regardless of a diagnosis. Anyone who identifies as having something similar to these conditions will be considered for inclusion on a case-by-case basis.

BANDs aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people, especially those without social opportunities, which encourage peer-to-peer networking and developing, and maintaining shared interests. The groups include a cinema group, café group, and pub group (including the Christmas meal).

Currently we have meet ups in Bath (Bath and NE Somerset, one Thursday a month), Bristol (Bristol County, one Tuesday a month) Frome (Somerset, one Thursday a month) and Weston super mare (North Somerset, one Saturday a month). If you would like to meet up in a different place to these, feel free to suggest, and if we can get three people in total to attend, we will do our best to arrange this for you.

BANDs encourages anyone, regardless of location to attend. To encourage independent travel by potential members on public transport, videos including directions can be sent to you on request. We can also help with public transport route planning on request.

Attendees to the groups have to pay for any activities they participate in. For example, the drinks, snacks, meals, cinema tickets, venue hire, and transport to and from the groups.

Type of provision

Targeted - This is for people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families