For many families with neurodivergent children, finding suitable social spaces can be incredibly challenging. Busy environments often feel overwhelming, leading to sensory overload, early exits, and a constant sense of being on edge. Families can feel isolated, misunderstood, and judged when their child’s needs don’t fit into typical settings. Opportunities to connect, play, and just relax together can be few and far between.
That’s why spaces like All Aboard Club are so valuable and why stories like Hedley’s show just how much of a difference they can make.
Hedley had always loved trains. He could spend hours with his train sets or simply watching trains at the station, completely absorbed. So walking into a calm, understanding space filled with train tracks, friendly faces, and a shared enthusiasm felt very special.
“All Aboard was relaxed, accommodating and quiet, with lots of happy autistic kids enjoying their own space. There was no pressure. And as parents, we could finally chat with others who truly understood.”
Hedley eagerly looked forward to every session, and the club became an anchor during his childhood.
Now, as a teenager, Hedley is back at All Aboard Club, this time as a volunteer.
Volunteering with AAC has been his first real experience of independence, and he’s embraced it wholeheartedly. From travelling to sessions on his own to choosing which events to attend and signing himself up on the rota, he’s developing confidence and building valuable life skills.
“Because All Aboard Club is such a supportive and inclusive place, Hedley feels understood and knows what’s expected of him,” his parent explains. “It’s made a huge difference to his confidence and independence.”
Hedley fondly remembers his days as a young visitor. “I loved going somewhere that was just about trains,” he says. “I liked the different models and I always felt relaxed there.”
As a volunteer, he especially enjoys talking to the children, their parents, and other volunteers. “The volunteers come from lots of different backgrounds, some younger, some older, some neurodivergent, some not. I like hearing people’s experiences and sharing mine.”
And perhaps most touching of all, Hedley finds joy in seeing the next generation of train-loving kids playing just like he did. “You can tell they’re happy, just like I was.”
All Aboard Club has been more than just a place to play, it’s offered understanding, structure, and a sense of belonging. For Hedley, it’s been part of his journey from a quiet child who loved trains to a confident young person giving back to a community that once supported him. His story highlights the importance of inclusive spaces where autistic children and young people can feel comfortable, grow at their own pace, and be themselves.