Room One is a new space managed by autistic people, for autistic people in Portsmouth

This page has advice and information about the support and advice services available to autistic and neurodivergent adults in Portsmouth. It’s a directory of local and national advice and support services for autism, neurodivergence and mental health which you may find helpful. More local organisations are listed on the HIVE directory.

If you would like to contact any of the services but want some support with communication, please feel free to contact Room One who will be happy to put you in touch.

Local services

Room One

Room One is a new space managed by autistic people, for autistic people in Portsmouth. The space is a one-stop shop for autistic and neurodivergent adults aged over 18 in the PO1 – PO6 area, their family and friends, and the professionals supporting them.

The Room One team can help by providing information, advice and support on topics including referrals, socialising, living independently, and peer support. They can also signpost to other local services if needed. No diagnosis is needed to use Room One’s services.

View the Room One page for more information.

Advice Portsmouth

Advice Portsmouth provides free, independent, impartial and confidence advice to people living in Portsmouth. A team of qualified professionals, staff and volunteers can advise on social welfare, debt, benefits, employment, housing, family and consumer law.

Aldingbourne Trust

Supporting people with learning disabilities and / or autism to reach their potential across Sussex and in Portsmouth. Works alongside people to increase skills, live good lives and have great opportunities.

Benefits team

Our Benefits team can advise about different types of benefits such as Universal Credit and others. The disability employment advisors can provide support for autistic adults to discuss benefits in a more private, quiet space.

Citizens Advice Portsmouth

You can contact your local citizens advice bureau for free and confidential advice about benefits, consumer rights, debt, family issues, health, housing, immigration, employment, law and courts and more.

Crisis resolution home treatment team (CRHT)

An experience team of health and care professionals who provide safe and effective home-based assessments and treatment for adults experiencing urgent mental health problems. This is for people over 18 who are currently seeing another mental health professional or team within Solent NHS Trust can self-refer by telephone.

Enable Ability

An established, independent charity for the care, welfare and advancement of disabled people in Portsmouth and the surrounding area.

Flow Observatorium

An equality and diversity charity, set up with funding from Arts Council England in 2017, which aims to become a national hub for, and led by, neurodivergent people.

Runs free creative sessions for neurodivergent creatives online and face-to-face in Portsmouth every Wednesday from 12-2pm.

Gig buddies

A free scheme funded by the council to match a volunteer and adult with a learning disability and / or autism in Portsmouth to attend events together in the city around once a month.

The Harbour

The Harbour has now closed, but you can still get mental health support from lots of other services, such as PositiveMinds and Shout. More information can be found on Health and Care Portsmouth’s website.

The Harbour is an informal, non-judgemental, out-of-hours mental health service for anyone over the age of 18 in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant and East Hampshire, who needs short-term support in times of great difficulty or is struggling with poor mental health.

Housing

Visit the Housing pages of the council website for information if you are homeless, struggling in your current social housing or have queries or concerns about other housing problems.

Portsmouth Carers Service

Portsmouth Carers Service provides a one-stop-shop for people caring for or looking after someone in Portsmouth. It doesn’t matter who you support and why they need that support. It could be a child with additional needs, a relative or a friend – Portsmouth Carers Service is here to support all unpaid/informal carers, caring in postcodes PO1-PO6.

Positive Minds

For anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing low mood, stress or a mild to moderate health condition such as depression or anxiety. You must have a GP within a PO1-PO6 postcode.

Recovery College

Whether you use mental health services in Portsmouth or support someone who does, the Solent Recovery College can help you become an expert in managing mental health and empower you to take control of your recovery journey.

Safe Haven

The Adults’ Safe Haven is open for face-to-face mental health support at the Wellbeing Hub in Leigh Park. A team of crisis workers, mental health practitioners and drug and alcohol support workers, help provide support and advice to people experiencing a mental health crisis.

Serendipity social groups

Run by Autism Hampshire, Serendipity social groups are for autistic adults to meet in a supportive and non-judgmental setting. Each group is welcoming and encourages new members to join and participate in any way they feel able to.

Talking Change

The primary care mental health service for Portsmouth. If you’re struggling with low mood or anxiety, or with a physical condition such as chronic pain or fatigue, we provide talking therapies to help you cope and feel better.

National services

CALM

Standing for the ‘Campaign against living miserably’, CALM is about standing together with anyone who’s struggling in life, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or what they’re going through. They offer advice about issues you might be facing, free, confidential chats with helpline staff online or on the phone, any day of the year.

Samaritans

Do you need mental health help? Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call on the phone – the number is free to call.

Shout

Our trained volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safe place. Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service for anyone in the UK. It won’t appear on your phone bill. To start a conversation, text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.