From Social Anxiety to Sisterhood

What will Centa Co Circle be?

Centa Co Circle will be a social and creative club for autistic women. It will provide a calm, supportive environment where members will be able to socialise, build friendships, and take part in arts and crafts, if they choose.

Facilitators are trained and experienced in:

- Autism presentation in women

- Social anxiety

- Sensory sensitivities

- Anxiety, masking and burnout

- Communication differences

The environment, pace and structure are intentionally autism-appropriate.

Your first session is FREE so you can try it out

Who are Centa Co?

Centa Co was established in 2009 and has been delivering day support for autistic adults and adults with a learning disability initially in Gillingham and now Chatham. Although a private limited company, Centa Co is a contracted provider of day support services for Medway Council and Kent County Council. Until now there has been little take-up of our service by autistic female and we want to change this by offering them a service just for them. 

What is Centa Co’s website?

https://centa-co.com

You can see Google reviews of our day centre by going to our Google page

Link to Centa Co's Google page ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ after 50 reviews:

https://g.page/centa-co-learning-disability-day?gm

What will be the main focus of Centa Co Circle?

The focus of Centa Co Circle will be on:

Social connection

Friendship

Feeling safe and included

Being yourself without pressure or expectation

Arts and crafts will be offered as a gentle, optional activity to support social interaction

Where will the club be located?

Centa Co Circle will be situated at Sun Pier House, Chatham, just opposite the Medway Street day centre, postcode ME4 4HA. We will be using the spacious Creation Space on the ground floor. The great thing about this space is that there is a private kitchen and toilet just for our clients. There will be paid parking available at the venue but we can offer free parking at our main day centre across the road!

When will Centa Co Circle start?

The club will start on Wednesday 11th of February 2026.

Which days will the club run?

Centa Co Circle will run on Wednesday afternoons 1:45 p.m. till 3:45 p.m. This may expand in the future though.

Who will be able to attend Centa Co Circle?

All members will need to be 18 years of age, female and need to be autistic and that is because they have a shared experience and likely to have a similar style of social interaction. 

Why was the word "Circle" chosen?

1. Circle Represents Safety and Equality

A circle has no hierarchy—no “top” or “bottom.”

This mirrors the ethos of a supportive club where:

- Everyone is equal

- No one is singled out / placed under pressure

- Members feel safe, contained, and respected

2. Circles Symbolise Belonging and Inclusion

A circle implies:

- Being included

- Being “inside” rather than outside

- A shared space where everyone has a place

This directly aligns with autistic females’ common experiences of social isolation and the need for a clear sense of belonging.

3. Predictability and Completeness

Circles are:

- Closed and complete

- Predictable in shape

- Continuous, with no sharp edges

This resonates well with autistic adults who often value:

- Structure

- Predictability

- Calm, non-threatening environments

4. Circle as Conversation and Social Space

Traditionally, people gather in circles to:

- Talk

- Share

- Create together

- Listen without interruption

- Contribute without moving to the front 

5. A “Circle” suggests:

- Optional participation

- Gentle social engagement

- Being present without expectation to speak

- This is especially suitable for autistic females who may prefer parallel participation rather than forced interaction.

Who will be able to attend Centa Co Circle?

All members will need to be 18 years of age, female and need to be autistic and that is because they have a shared experience and likely to have a similar style of social interaction. There is very little available for this client group and Centa Co Circle addresses this unmet need. 

Can someone with a learning disability and / or ADHD join?

Only if they are also autistic. This means that a person having a learning disability without autism means that person will not qualify to join but we can signpost them to other organisations. The Equality Act 2010 permits this as the legitimate aim of the club is to provide for the unmet needs of a sub-section of the population, namely female, autistic adults. Autism needs to be the main support need so it's not possible for us to support somebody with a learning disability if their learning disability is the main support need. This is because autism must be the main support need and it's because the aim of the whole project is to support autistic women. 

Explained more below:

1. Different cognitive and communication profiles

Many autistic women (especially those without a learning disability) benefit from:

Peer-level conversation

Abstract discussion and reflection

Subtle social learning and shared experience

Women with a learning disability as their primary need may require:

Simplified language and repetition

Slower pacing

More directive or instructional support

👉 A single group often cannot meet both needs well without compromising one or both.

2. Group pacing and engagement

Autism-specific groups typically rely on:

Predictable structure

Consistent pacing

Reciprocal conversation

Learning-disability-led support may:

Change the pace significantly

Shift staff focus to instructional support

Reduce opportunities for equal peer interaction

This can unintentionally cause autistic women to:

Withdraw

Mask more

Feel the group is “not for them”

More reasons why learning disability as the main support need is not suitable for this group:

Referrals and applications are based on autism-led criteria

Clients, families and funders are expecting an autism-focused provision

Widening the scope to learning disability without autism would:

Change the nature of the service

Alter risk profiles and staffing requirements

Potentially breach expectations of clients, families and commissioners

Those with ADHD may join (40% of autistic individuals have ADHD) but their ADHD must be supplementary to their autism. Autism and ADHD can "clash" and are associated with different challenges too. 

Will a formal autism diagnosis be required?

A formal autism diagnosis is normally required for membership. This is to ensure the group remains true to its purpose, which is to provide a safe, focused space specifically for autistic females only.

In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not yet have a formal diagnosis (including those currently awaiting assessment) may be considered. In such cases, we would ask a small number of focused questions about why the individual believes they are autistic and may also request supporting evidence or a brief testimonial from a parent, carer, or supported-living manager. Any such requests are handled sensitively and confidentially, with the aim of maintaining the integrity and safety of the group for all members.

Can members come accompanied by their own one to one Support Worker / PA?

Yes but that person must be female as this will be a female only environment.

Will the club be really women-only?

Yes. Centa Co Circle will be a women-only club, and all staff supporting the group will be female. This approach is intended to promote emotional safety, comfort, and ease of social interaction.

Is having an all women club legal? 

Yes. Centa Co Circle autistic women-only service is in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, where single-sex provision is permitted as a proportionate means of achieving legitimate aims, including emotional safety, wellbeing, and meaningful social inclusion for autistic women.

A women-only club for autistic women is lawful in the UK because:

The Equality Act 2010 explicitly permits single-sex services

The aims (safety, inclusion, wellbeing, participation) are legitimate

The approach is proportionate

It addresses documented unmet needs

It promotes substantive equality, not exclusion

What will be the age range of the members?

18 to 70

How much will it cost?

£30.00 per session is the standard fee including for local authority contracted clients. We realise that this is not cheap. One reason for the high price is that Centa Co  is VAT registered and VAT is absorbed in this price.

However, for private paying clients on limited funds, we offer a highly discounted price of just £15.00 per session. We want to make sure that we reach as many autistic women as possible in Medway.

This is a highly specialist service which provides many things that a general, casual drop-in art group would not provide. We can try to help you apply for local authority funding. We successfully do that at our main day cent

What do you get for your money? 

- Specialist support from trained facilitators

- Autism-informed delivery for autistic women only

- Structured creative instruction and guidance

- All arts and crafts materials included 

- A creation to take home

- Refreshments and socialising at end 

- Not a casual or general drop-in arts group

Additionally, factored into the price are:

A Safe, Regulated and Accountable Service

Centa Co operates as a registered, insured, professionally governed company, with:

Safeguarding policies and procedures

Risk assessments for activities and venues

Professional boundaries and reporting structures

Data protection and confidentiality standards

Public liability and professional insurance

👉 This level of governance is not present in informal or community-run groups.

Significant Behind-the-Scenes Work

The cost reflects more than time spent in the room. It includes:

Session planning and preparation

Sourcing and organising materials

Risk assessment and venue preparation

Record-keeping and oversight

Management time and professional supervision

👉 Many lower-cost groups do not account for this hidden work.

Quality Materials Included (No Extras)

All arts and crafts materials are included in the price.

Materials are:

good-quality

sensory-appropriate

varied and engaging

Participants are not asked to bring supplies or pay additional fees.

👉 No hidden costs or add-ons.

Emotional Safety and Consistency

Predictable structure and routine

Clear expectations and boundaries

Respect for autonomy and choice

No pressure to perform, socialise or “fit in”

👉 This emotional safety is intentionally designed — and maintained.

A Premium Environment, Not a Drop-In Group

Centa Co Circle offers:

A calm, welcoming atmosphere

Purposeful session design

From time to time guest speakers and artists

A focus on wellbeing, confidence and self-expression

Continuity — the same facilitators, same values, same standards

👉 Participants are investing in a reliable, high-quality experience.

Can members bring their own arts and crafts materials?

Yes, members will be welcome to bring their own arts and crafts materials if they wish. However, arts and crafts materials are included in the price and even a take home creation as well.

Will hot and cold drinks be included in the fee?

Yes. 

Will members have to talk?

No. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. We understand that autistic individuals sometimes like to have their own space and not interact too much or even at all. We're going to set up a "chill corner" where members can sit on their own and it is understood they don't really want to talk.

Will there be a WhatsApp group set up by Centa Co  for  members?

No. We believe this could actually cause social anxiety e.g. when to send a message, when to reply, what to say, context confusion, what is expected etc

Do I have to attend every week? 

No. We understand the autistic people, especially females, can get very drained owing to their autism. This could be owing to sleep patterns or just getting drained by coping, especially after a busy day the day before where there was maybe a lot of social interaction! Likewise, you don't have to stay for the whole session. It's completely up to you how long you stay.

Will members have to take part in arts and crafts?

No. Participation will be entirely optional.

Members will be free to:

Take part in arts and crafts

Socialise with others

Do a combination of both

Or simply spend time in the space in a way that feels comfortable

Can members miss sessions, have breaks during sessions or even leave a session early?

Yes. Absolutely....and you don't need to give a reason. We know that motivations, desire to interact, desire to create, the need for rest and restoration and energy levels can fluctuate. 

Why was Centa Co Circle set up...what is it addressing?

Many autistic females feel misunderstood or overlooked in mainstream services, especially because their experiences can be less visible than autistic males

Autistic females often mask heavily in everyday life, leading to exhaustion, anxiety, and low self-esteem

Autistic females often present differently than males (e.g., masking, social fatigue, shutting down, internalised stress), and typical services don’t always account for that

Repeated social rejection, underachievement due to anxiety or late diagnosis and low confidence despite high ability

Isolation is a huge issue for many autistic females, who may struggle to find peers they “fit” with

Why is art and crafts a good activity for Centa Co Circle?

Arts and crafts are especially powerful for autistic individuals because they:

• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Provide a calming, repetitive focus
• Help regulate emotions without needing words
• For autistic females who struggle to articulate feelings verbally, creative activity becomes a safe emotional outlet
• Arts and crafts can be therapeutic 
• Facilitates peer bnding in a natural way
• Other reasons for the suitability of arts and crafts are:
• A sense of accomplishment
• Visible progress
• Positive reinforcement
• Provides a calming, repetitive focus
• Many autistic women find social conversation draining or overwhelming
• Creative activities allow connection side-by-side rather than face-to-face
• Improve fine motor skills
• Support planning and sequencing
• Build patience and problem-solving skills
• Arts and crafts can be carefully chosen to support sensory needs:
• Textures (paper, clay, fabric)
• Repetitive motions (cutting, threading, colouring)
• Predictable processes
• Sessions can be adapted for sensory sensitivity, offering control and choice, which is empowering
• Creative activity often leads to a “flow state,” where:
• Time feels manageable
• Anxiety reduces
• Concentration improves
• This can be especially helpful for autistic females who experience rumination, overthinking, or mental overload
• Autistic females frequently struggle with identity after years of masking...creative expression helps members:
• Explore who they are
• Develop personal style
• Express individuality without judgement
• This supports emotional wellbeing and long-term self-acceptance.
• Shared creative tasks:
• Give people something to do together
• Remove pressure to “make small talk”
• Create natural opportunities for shared pride and conversation
• Friendships often form organically through making things together.