Young autistic adults in Washington, Tyne and Wear, can join a free weekly group to explore their hobbies and meet new people. The Special Interests Club meets on Wednesdays, 5:30pm–7:00pm at Arts Centre Washington.
The club is designed for people aged 16 to 25 and is managed by Sunderland Culture as part of its Autonomy project. It offers a relaxed, judgement‑free space where members can focus on things they love, such as video games, Dungeons & Dragons, digital photography or manga. Beth Ross, the project’s lead facilitator and an experienced artist specialising in inclusive practice, leads the sessions alongside participatory artists trained in neurodivergent support.
The initiative was created to help tackle social isolation for ‘transition‑age’ autistic young people who may lose access to youth‑centred services after leaving school. According to the Sunderland Echo and Sunderland Culture, initial funding was provided via the Association of Independent Museums’ Connected Communities programme, which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund and delivered through Arts Council England.
The venue operates relaxed protocols during club hours and provides quiet zones and accessible facilities to support neurodivergent participants. For more details or to register interest, see the Sunderland Information Point entry for the Special Interests Club or contact the project team ([email protected] or [email protected]). The sessions are free to attend as of 28 January 2026.
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