THE MAG LISTINGS UPDATE

 The next MAG EXTRA is almost with us, it just needs the images inserting. It's 14,000 words long, so as a taster here's a list of some of the top events taking place in the coming weeks in Brighton and around East and West Sussex.

Events Update

Amazing Futures helps young people in Sussex who are aged between 14 and 25 who are neurodivergent, disabled or have any kind of additional needs. It is a project run by the charity Amaze Eligibility.  On August 27 it’s Youth Voice Day at Community Base in Queen’s Street, Brighton. More about this later in the MAG EXTRA.  

The next BANG event will take place at Puzzle Bored in New Road on Friday September 4th between 6pm and 8pm with free admission. The venue also holds several other events, including Gay and Tonic on September 12th between 10.30am and 1.30pm. The same group are at the Redroaster in St James’s Street the following day from midday to 3pm.

The Lonely Club meets every Sunday between 12pm and 4pm at the JustLife Hub in London Road, Brighton. Congratulations to organiser Lara on the recent birth of her daughter. Those ‘sleepless nights’ you talk about must be totally worth it.

mASCot have a pub meet at the Temple Bar at 121 Western Road, Brighton BN1 2AD on Thursday September 10 from 7pm to 11pm.

On August 30, Cineworld are showing 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' at 11am. This is an autism-friendly screening.

Nic Gray founded the Hailsham & East Sussex ADHD Support CIC and she isn’t just doing lots to help our community, she’s also a very brave man. On  November 28, Nic is raising money for his group by jumping out of a plane. Just the thought of it makes me a bit queasy, mind you it’s over 50 years since I’ve been on a plane.

It’ll take just 40 seconds of freefall for Nic to descend 12,000 feet, no wonder he writes “I’m terrified.”

The group was founded because Nic was “sick of watching adults fall through the cracks,” now she’s going to fall to the ground in November. The work Nic does needs funding,so that is why this event is so important.

As Nic writes “If my ADHD brain can talk itself into a skydive, your brain can tap "donate.”  Pay a visit now to this  Link to gofundme page. We have some more exciting news about them later in this blog.

The Brighton Neurodiversity Community (BNC) has a busy month ahead of them. There’s a BIPOC Social at the Modelo Lounge in Hove on August 26th between 6 and 9pm.  Two days later there’s a Not-So-Sober Social at Charles St Tap. It’ll be a sad occasion as the venue is soon to close its doors for the final time. The social takes place between 6 and 9pm.

September begins with a Sober Social at the Modelo Lounge. This is on the 2nd between 6 and 9pm. That’s also the running time for the Puzzle Bored Social on September 9. With Charles St Tap closed, September’s Not-So-Sober Social will take place at North Laine Brewhouse from 6-9pm on the 25th. Bookings are being taken for their Prom at the  Railway Inn in Portslade on October 10, starting at 8pm running to 11.30pm.

BAM had a well-deserved break in August. They return in September with BAM holding their monthly meeting at the Friends House on September 29 from 5 to 7pm. 

Also having a break from holding their in-person discussion group session were ADHD Aware. They return on September 29 at the Foyer in Pelham Street from 7pm to 9pm and a social afterwards.

September 6 sees the Queer Birding Group holding a birdwatching social from 10.30am. In the morning they will be going to the Adur Estuary and then in the afternoon, Mill Hill. Those attending can stay as long or as little as they want with new members always welcome. 

Adhoc Autistics Activity Group continues to hold a weekly meet-up at the North Star every Wednesday from 11pm to 1am. Some events at a later time are being planned.

The Carousel Chorus are at the Community Access Scheme Open Day in Wakehurst on Thursday August 27 between 11am and 3pm. They hold their next Rock House event on Monday September 14 from 7-9.30pm at The Green Door Store at 4 Trafalgar Arches, Brighton, BN1 4FQ.

The Ledward Centre at 14a Jubilee Street is open again on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with an excellent cafe. They also hold community events and The Clare Project have weekly meetings of their Neurodivergent Group there every Monday between 2.30 and 4.30pm. On Sundays, the Village Metropolitan Church (MCC) holds a service there from 6pm.

Grace Ayre are holding their 2026 Artist Open House Exhibition on September 26 and 27. This is part of the Worthing Art Trial and takes place from 12pm to 4pm at Grace Eyre, 53 Rowlands Road, Worthing BN11 3JR.

The work on show will include mosaics, print, painting, textiles, collage and drawings. All of them have been made by artists that have learning disabilities as well as autistic adults with artwork and affordable items available to purchase.

At Community Base (South Wing) in Queen’s Road, Brighton BN1 3XG, there is a monthly Check-In and Check Out drop-in session for people with a learning disability who receive fewer than six hours’ support a week.  This takes place on the fourth Thursday of the month.between 1:30pm and 3:30pm. The next drop-in is on Thursday August 27.

This is the chance to meet friends, have a cuppa, play pool and ask any health and well-being questions you may have. You can come on your own or be accompanied by a friend or family member.

Inside Out  are holding their next ADHD Women’s Meet-Up at Horsham Park on Friday August 28 at 10.30am. Whether a diagnosis has been received or you believe that you have ADHD, you’re very welcome to attend. Their meetings are free and “offer a safe, supportive space to connect with other women who truly understand.” The meet-up will consist of going on a walk in the park and then have a chat over a cuppa.  More details on their Facebook page.

Helen Morris-Davies from Practical Wisdom has a new exciting project. Eight people are being sought by her to take part in a six week beta starting in September.Helen is well aware that there is “a splattering of neurodivergent traits across different areas.” That has led her to want to “explore the whole picture together.”  It will “use ND Navigator to explore ADHD, autistic and dyslexic traits, alongside things like anxiety and trauma, and then actually make sense of what comes back.”

Helen adds; “This isn’t about collecting more labels. It’s about understanding YOU.” Her  coaching and use of practical strategies along with 38 years of nursing experience will be put to good use. This costs £197, for more information contact Helen on her Facebook page.

Saturday September 19 is going to be a massive day for Autism Support Crawley. That is when they hold their annual Golf Day. It’s being held at the Ifield Golf Club and is open to players who have a handicap of 28 or under. That’s me ruled out then.

They are looking for sponsors, contact them if you are interested. Packages start at just £75 and that is excellent value. A raffle will also be taking place, so if you have any prizes to donate, they’d love to hear from you. 

The event will raise money to help the charity support parents/carers who “dedicate their lives to support their Autistic/Neurodivergent family members, with or without a diagnosis, across Sussex & surrounding areas.”

As well as the excitement on the golf course, there’s an event in the evening which includes DJ Leona Graham.

Struggling with Procrastination? By Sunita Shier

Participate in a focus group to hear about and shape the development of a new parallel working/ bodydoubling service, designed to help people like us, struggling with life admin/ tasks/ procrastination. Participation is free but please book a place in advance as numbers are limited.

This takes place on Tuesday 25 August from 7pm to 9pm at The Foyer in Pelham Street, Brighton BN1 4FA. To make your booking or for further details, please email  sunitashier0@gmail.com to book a place or for further details.

The Ageing Well Festival

The Ageing Well Festival in Brighton and Hove is being organised by Impact Initiatives. A whole host of events is taking place from September 25 to October 9 with full information online and in brochures that can be seen in public libraries in the city.

Events include everything from a trip to the Toy and Model Museum, beer tasting, chair yoga, open bus tours around the city, a big band swing night, disco, line dancing, painting and Swedish Death Cleaning. 

The good news is that Lisa Lloyd is coming to Waterstones in North Street, Brighton to give what promises to be a fascinating talk about her book 'Unmasking Mum.'  This takes place on September 14th starting at 7:00pm. The Book & ticket option includes a copy of Unmasking Mum (rrp £18.99) available for collection at the event - £22 or £5 standard entry:

On September 16, there’s a Paint & Sip evening taking place at Waterstones at 71-74 North Street BN1 1ZA in Brighton. This will raise awareness and funds for AMAZE Sussex.