Room One

Room One was set up in 2022, it has been very well received by local Autistic and Neurodivergent people.

Our service offers peer support, information, advice and guidance to autistic adults (18+) in Portsmouth (P01-P06 postcode). Anyone who is Autistic or Neurodivergent can contact us either by email, on the phone or drop in at the times detailed below.

Online Services

Our online peer-support group is held between 17:30-18:30 every other Monday (except Bank Holidays). Each session has a topic and is facilitated by an autistic member of the Room One staff.

Face-to-face services

Tuesday

11am – 1pm – Crafts. Lorraine our Social Care Associate Practitioner will introduce peers to various crafts.
1.30pm – 2.30pm – Peer-support group. This works in a similar way to the online group. We discuss a different topic every one-two weeks
2.30pm – 4pm – Drop in, this is an extension of the peer-support group but you can drop in at any time. You can ask any questions you may have or spend some time talking to the other members of the group more informally.

Thursday schedule changes every week check timetable for timings

Thursday 4pm-5pm – What is on your mind?

This is an informal discussion group that allows Room One peers to get the opportunity to discuss whatever is most important at the time.

Thursday drop-in 5pm – 7pm – Thursday is our late drop-in for all age groups.

One-to-one services

Peer Mentoring

We offer peer mentoring as part of our peer-led service.

This could be in person at Room One at the Spithead Resource Centre, as a video call online or by phone. Let us know your availability and we will find you a time that suits you. The appointments are usually between 40 minutes and an hour and there are no set amount of times we can meet.

We can now offer outreach as part of our peer-led offer which means James may be able to make a home visit. In addition, we have drop-ins located across the city: in the Jobcentre, community garden (in warm months) and the carers centre.

Social Care Associate Practitioner

Their role includes, facilitating the Tuesday craft group, outreach support and support at Room One during drop ins or booked appointment. The support might include assisting in dealing with emails or telephone calls, help with finding or initiating other services, such as arranging or attending a health appointment, practical help with life skills, such as budgeting, cooking, planning or socialising or help to find employment opportunities.

Email: Lorraine.Willis2@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Mobile: 07721 855838.

Image of accessible toilets in Room One

We have accessible toilets and a kitchen where you can help yourself to a hot drink.

Sensory Requirements

Please let us know (see contact details below) if you have any sensory requirements before coming to Room One.

We try to accommodate a range of sensory profiles.

We have: Dimmable lighting, accessible entrance, fidget toys available,

Tel: 07553 607473

Email: roomone@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Inside door

To get access to Room One you can either use the bell on the door, or wave through the window! 😊

To get out, press the green button on the wall.

What’s on – October 2026

The service operates Monday to Friday.

One-to-one sessions can be booked by contacting Room One.

Please note that if you wish to attend a drop-in clinic or peer support session, you will need to register with the Room One team, as opening times and group sessions may vary.

October activity calendar showing Room One sessions, including crafts, peer support, advice, wellbeing groups and drop-ins.

Online Peer Support Topics

16th Rumination
26th Different Kinds of Friends and Relationships

Room One Peer Support Topics

Peer support is a space for the discussion and exploration of topics that are decided beforehand, this is an opportunity to share experiences.

6th Jointyness and Hypermobility
13th Destress and Unwinding
20th Sleep and Rest
27th Bring a Fact, Hyperfixations

Tuesday Crafts

This is a led group where we provide the materials and teach the skills to make amazing crafts!

Craft topics:

6th Kinusaiga material, bring material scraps
Free time to complete last weeks crafts
20th Papercraft, quilling, origami, card making
27th Halloween Decorations

Lets go together

This is a walking group where we explore parts of Portsmouth! Make sure you are on the mailing list to get updates and make sure to sign up!

6th hotwalls

Life skills
Life skills is a group that looks at the skills we need to develop to live independently day to day.

Neuroqueer
This is our LGBTQ+ group to meet and discuss things with likeminded peers in a safe space, topics are chosen from the group!

14th Game Night
28th Chat and Hang Out

Drop ins
A drop in is a chance to drop into room one, if you are curious about the service, want to chat to staff or just use the space to hang out in a safe place!

Explore 4-5pm
Everyone is welcome for a focused hour of playful curiosity. Mini projects for the imagination using everyday materials, phone cameras and whatever catches our eye.

Loved Ones Group

Image: Room One logo, and a heart with an infinity symbol underneath. Text: Loved ones group

This group is for parents, carers, partners and other loved ones supporting anyone who is autistic or neurodivergent, of any age.

Join our friendly group to share your thoughts, feelings and recent experiences with people who understand. Meet other carers and loved ones who may be supporting adults or children with neurodiversity.

Session days and time:

2nd Friday of the month, 10am – 12pm, with Laura & James
3rd Tuesday of the month, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, with Laura & Patrick

These sessions are held at Portsmouth Carers Centre, 117 Orchard Rd, Southsea, PO4 0AD.

Home – Portsmouth Carers Service

KoCreate

KoCreate; running free creative sessions for Neurodivergent Creatives, every Wednesday from 12-2.30 pm.

For further information about Kocreate contact Jon Adams: flowobs@gmail.com

Events

Allotment 10:30-12:30pm [1st]
Come along and give it a try at: Allotments, Locksway Road. P04 8LF. Telephone: 07551139793 for access when gate is locked
Healthwatch group 1-3pm [2nd]
Come along to provide feedback on accessing medical services.
Table top! [13th/29th]
Come along as alongside our drop in we will be offering some table top games, werewolf, ticket to
ride, dobble and lets figure our 7wonders.
Dance 12:30-1:30pm [16th]
Contact for details of this fantastic new dance group at room one!
Diabetes support group 2-4pm [16th]
Come along to a support group based in the understanding and management of diabetes!
Please contact room one to book attendance.
Advice Portsmouth 12-2pm [10th, 24th]
Come along and see a professional from Advice Portsmouth at room one, make sure to contact
beforehand!
Workwise 12-2pm [23rd]
Workwise will be at room one to answer your questions, give you guidance and help understand
their service!
Housing drop in 2-4pm [23rd]
Please contact ahead of time to book a spot to speak with a member of the housing office.
Halloween Social 4pm [28th] Come along to our watch along of the Halloween classic Beetlejuice! Feel free to dress up or come
casual!
Intuitive thinking 2-4pm [30th]
Come along to a group for people who struggle with maladaptive coping strategies such as alcohol, gambling and recreational drug use.

Mailing list

If you would like to join the Room One mailing list, so you can receive the monthly schedule by email – please email: roomone@portsmouthcc.gov.uk with the subject: Mailing List.

Alternatively, you can scan this QR code to launch a pre-populated email:

Room One Mailing List QR