Exciting News: National Autism Peer Education Programme
Not long after I had made the decision to pause the podcast, I received a very late night email from Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou - the co-director of the NHS National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP) - who I had worked with in 2023/24 as a content developer and trainer to deliver autism training to thousands of all age inpatient and community mental health staff in the NHS.
In the late night email, Georgia was inviting me as a consortium of autistic associates to be part of a bid for a National Autism Peer Education Programme (Autism Central) - a £6 million funded programme to be commissioned by NHS England, and delivered by Anna Freud.
The bid was successful, and from 1st October, Anna Freud is now proudly leading the delivery of The National Autism Peer Education Programme (Autism Central), commissioned by NHS England. Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children and families that has developed and delivered pioneering mental health care for over 70 years.
The programme aims to build knowledge and understanding of autism and empower families and carers to advocate for autistic people they support. It is co-produced with parents, carers, and autistic people of all ages, offering families and carers education, coaching, and connection through resources, one-to-one peer support, and community events.
From December 2025, Caty and I will be teaming up once again to bring real stories, honest conversations, and shared wisdom from England’s National Autism Peer Education Programme.
In my new role, I will be producing and hosting the podcast for the programme over the next 3 years (and Caty will be editing) as well as developing content, quality assurance and training and supporting the peer education family guides,
I feel very proud and excited to be offered this associate role and feel that the programmes vision “to build a nation where all autistic people and those who support them are empowered, connected and thriving” is aligned to my values and vision, and I know that it will offer the vital support so many in our community need.
The podcast (audio) will begin this month, with bi weekly episodes dropping on a Friday.
The programme has a growing community of families, caregivers, and allies who care about autistic people, and who want to help build a better, more inclusive nation.
If you want to access free coaching, free education, be the first to know when podcast episodes, blogs/videos drop, and join a kind, psychologically informed, and passionate community, make sure you’re signed up to the newsletter.
Previous seasons of the Autism Central Podcast
The Autism Central programme was governed by the National Autistic Society until October 2025. During this time, the first 3 seasons of the podcast were hosted by Holly Sprake-Hill. You can still listen to these episodes here. Make sure you are following the podcast (wherever you get your podcasts from) and that you are signed up to the newsletter, so that you are notified as new episodes drop. Season 4 starts December 2025.
Together, we can create meaningful change for autistic people across England.
There are already many events on offer that are FREE to access and sign up to, as well as recent blogs that have been published for you to explore and read.
Catherine Asta
Host
Catherine is an integrative psychotherapist turned writer, podcaster, consultant, and community builder - creating and designing spaces where stories can be heard. She holds undergraduate and masters degrees in Psychology, and is a member of the BPS.
She is the creator of The Late Discovered Club - the globally recognised podcast and community centering the voices of late discovered autistic women and people, listened to in over 130 countries, and ranked the nm 1 podcast for 'Female Autism' in 2025 by Feedspot.
With over two decades of leadership across healthcare, government, and private practice, she has led multi-million pound programmes, co-designed national NHS strategies, and pioneered trauma informed, peer led support spaces.
A two time breast cancer survivor, her work honours both science and soul, weaving therapeutic insight, nature and somatic wisdom, and grounded in deep compassion. Rediscovered (JKP, 2025) is her debut book - a courageous, heart led part memoir/part guide for late discovered autistic women and the people who walk beside them, and she is working on bringing her next book to life.
She is an associate on the NHS Commissioned, National Autism Peer Programme - a £6 million programme which aims to build knowledge and understanding of autism and empower families and carers to advocate for autistic people they support. It is co-produced with parents, carers, and autistic people of all ages, offering families and carers education, coaching, and connection through resources, one-to-one peer support, and comm… Read More
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