Upcoming Events

What is Chit & Chat?

A relaxed, informal online social meet for an hour once a fortnight. Come and connect with like-minded young people in a friendly, supportive, and safe space – all from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re chatting away or just listening in, everyone’s welcome.

When?

Fortnightly on Wednesdays, from 5:00–6:00pm GMT

https://www.cpteensuk.org/events

Our cricket sessions are for young people aged 11+.

We have 10 places available for each session, at the moment we have no support staff available so parents and carers will need to stay with their young person.

The sessions are being coached by a qualified Yorkshire Cricket Board coach.

The booking form is here and it is now live for bookings.

Please email ailith@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk if you have any questions.

Zoom Karaoke for ages 10+

This is our Karaoke singing group, hosted by Kerry Maule on Zoom. Throughout the session we will provide music & lyrics and individuals will have the chance to sing their song while others in the group sing along at home.

If you or a young person are interested, please email adminteam@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk or message Ailith on 07442 332678 for the link and to give us your song choice!

Come along for a magical journey through sound, light and imagination in our free-flow open play session! Families are warmly invited to spend time exploring three unique sensory spaces designed to ignite wonder and relaxation:

• 🌧️ Rainforest Sensory Room – Immerse yourselves in the sights and sounds of the rainforest, where misty lighting, gentle animal calls, and tactile surprises bring nature to life.

• 🌌 Space Sensory Room – Blast off into an interstellar experience! Glide among glowing stars, soft projections and cosmic calm in this soothing, space-themed escape.

• 🎵 Music Room – Get playful with rhythm and melody in an inclusive space filled with instruments, musical toys, and joyful tunes for all ages and abilities.

🕒 Drop in, explore at your own pace, and connect with other families in a welcoming environment. Whether you’re seeking stimulation, tranquility or shared smiles, each room offers something a little different and every child is free to discover in their own way.

📍 Perfect for families of children with additional needs. Our team is here to ensure the experience is accessible, comforting and full of delight.

We also have a fully accessible changing area with hoist and full size medical bed.

Huge thanks to Baily Thomas Foundation for sponsoring these sessions.

This relaxed and supportive session combines art, colours, textures and writing to help you explore your thoughts, reflect on your experiences, and express yourself in a creative way.

No artistic experience needed  just come along and enjoy the process.

 FREE for parent carers

Starting Wednesday 22nd April
 10am – 12 noon

Weekly sessions (excluding school holidays)

A lovely opportunity to relax, connect with others, and boost your mental wellbeing through creativity.

 Spaces are limited!

Book Now: https://bookwhen.com/gracehouse#focus=ev-swlne-20260417180000

📍 Venue: Sensory World, Old Westgate, Dewsbury, WF13 1NB
📅 Day: Every Thursday
🕒 Time: 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM

What’s Included?

🎨 Creative Activities:

• Gluing
• Painting
• Mosaic
• Crafts (£4.00 per person)

🍽 Delicious Lunch:

• 2-course meal for just £5 per person

Why Join Us?

This is a welcoming space for adults with learning difficulties to enjoy creativity, social connection, and a hearty meal in a supportive environment.

Booking Details

📞 Call: 07801 065589
✅ Pre-booking is essential to secure your spot!

📍 Venue: Sensory World Café, Old Westgate, Dewsbury, WF13 1NB
📅 Day: Every Thursday
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Why Join Us?

Don’t feel isolated. Don’t be alone.
Our Luncheon Club is a warm, friendly space where you can enjoy good food and great company.

What’s Included?

🍽 Two-course meal for just £5
Relax, chat, and share a meal in a welcoming environment.

Who Can Come?

✅ Everyone is welcome!
Perfect for anyone looking for social connection and a delicious lunch.

Booking Details

No need to book in advance – just come along!
For more information, contact Sensory World Café.

Description: A fun and rhythmic session for you and your little one! Baby Bounce uses songs, rhymes, and gentle movement to support early language development and physical coordination. It’s a great way to boost your baby’s confidence while chatting with other parents who have had similar neonatal journeys.

• When: Every Thursday

• Time: 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm

• Location: The Word, South Shields

• Cost: Free for eligible families

• Eligibility: Open exclusively to families who have spent time on a neonatal unit in the North East and/or Transitional Care.

How to Book: https://www.tinylives.org.uk/meet-chat-learn/

Kid’s Fitness is a great way to try out lots of different sports and games. The group is led by specialist fitness instructors who are able to safely coach children of all abilities and levels of need.

Children will enjoy getting fitter as they try out a range of activities, including Boccia, dance and team games.

All sessions are for children aged 5-17 years and are £4 per session, with spaces booked for the term and paid monthly. A free taster session is offered for all activities.

If interested, please email: childrensprojects@sheffieldmencap.org.uk or call 0114 2767757

Gateway youth club is suitable for children with a mild learning disability and/or autism and their siblings.

The wide range of activities on offer are planned collaboratively with members, including sports, games, art and crafts, films, quizzes and cooking. There are regular themed activities too, such as Halloween and Christmas parties, Easter Egg hunts and sports-themed days. Children may also choose to just relax and enjoy spending time with other young people. Gateway youth club is a great place to meet new friends and develop social skills.

All sessions are for children aged 5-17 years and are £4 per session, with spaces booked for the term and paid monthly. A free taster session is offered for all activities.

If interested, please email: childrensprojects@sheffieldmencap.org.uk or call 0114 2767757

Dance21 is our high-energy dance group for young people aged 12 and over.

These sessions focus on creative movement, socialising, and fitness. It is a fantastic way for older young people to build their self-esteem, learn new routines, and catch up with friends every week.

Like our junior group, these sessions are led by Claire King, ensuring a supportive and expert-led environment for all participants.

• When: Every Thursday

• Time: 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm

• Where: Footsteps Theatre School, Idle, BD10 8PY

• Cost: £3.50 donation on entry (This allows our dancers to practice handling money and paying for their own sessions).

How to Join

We are always looking to welcome new faces to our dance family! If you would like to attend or have any questions about the sessions, please visit our website or get in touch.

Find out more: https://www.downsyndromebradford.com/

Short Description:

A dedicated, supportive 8-week course for parents and carers to pause, recharge, build emotional resilience, and develop practical tools to navigate daily challenges with confidence.

Full Description:

Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs while putting your own to one side? Perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or struggling to find time to reconnect with yourself.

Calm Within is a supportive space created for parents and carers to pause, reflect, and recharge. Over 8 weeks, you will explore practical tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and self-compassion. This is not about being the perfect parent—it’s about learning to support yourself, understanding your own needs, and discovering how creating calm within yourself can positively impact every area of your life.

What You’ll Explore:

• Finding greater calm, balance, and practical tools for everyday challenges

• Building emotional resilience and confidence

• Developing a deeper connection with yourself and creating healthier boundaries

• Feeling grounded, centred, and supported in a safe, welcoming space

Spaces are intentionally kept small to ensure a warm, focused group environment.

Event Details:

• Start Date: Thursday 24th September 2026

• Duration: 8 weeks

• Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

• Tutor: Victoria

• Group Size: Maximum of 10 participants

• Cost: £25.00 per person, per week

• Location: Birkenshaw, BD11 2EX

• Booking Enquiries: Leedstherapyhubcic@gmail.com

A fortnightly emotional wellbeing drop-in group run by Family Focus North East for parents, carers, and children aged 10–13. No referral or diagnosis needed.

Event Details:

• Organisation: Family Focus North East

• Venue: Galafield Family Hub

• Start Date: Friday 4th September

• Frequency: Fortnightly (every two weeks)

• Age Group: Children aged 10–13 years along with their parents/carers

• Cost: Free

• Contact Email: familyfocus2026@gmail.com

• Supported by: The National Lottery Community Fund

About the Event

Calm Connections is an informal emotional wellbeing drop-in group run by Family Focus North East.

It provides a safe, welcoming space for parents, carers, and young people aged 10–13 who may be:

• Feeling anxious or overwhelmed

• Experiencing low mood

• Struggling with emotional regulation

Key Information:

• No referral is required

• No diagnosis is needed

• No pressure – just a safe space to connect and receive support

Get in Touch:

For any questions or more information, please email familyfocus2026@gmail.com.

Our Business Hero partner, Irwin Mitchell, is offering a series of free legal support clinics for SNAPS families this autumn. Families can access confidential advice from specialist medical negligence lawyers, either in person at SNAPS or through a virtual appointment. 

Upcoming dates:

Saturday, 10th October: Meet the team at SNAPS (Penny Field)

Friday, 16th October: Virtual clinic

Friday, 30th October: Virtual clinic

Saturday, 14th November: Meet the team at SNAPS (Penny Field)

Friday, 27th November: Virtual clinic 

For virtual clinics, families can book an appointment directly with Mia Hudson by email or phone:  Mia.Hudson@irwinmitchell.com / 0113 2214344  

📍 Venue: Sensory World, Old Westgate, Dewsbury, WF16 7SX
📅 Day: Every Friday
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM

What’s On?

🧩 Games & Activities:

• Scrabble
• Telephone
• Other fun word and social games

🍴 Food & Drinks:

• Available throughout the session
• Licensed bar for refreshments

Who Can Join?

✅ All welcome!
This is a friendly, inclusive space for socialising, playing games, and enjoying good company.

Booking Details

📞 Call: 07801 065589
No booking fee – just come along and join the fun!

Description: Enjoy a calming and restorative Baby Yoga session. Led by Kalma Life, these classes focus on gentle stretching and movement for your baby, promoting flexibility and relaxation. It’s a peaceful environment to connect with your child and share support with other neonatal families.

• When: Every Friday

• Time: 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm

• Location: Ridgeway Family Hub (Kalma Life)

• Cost: Free for eligible families

• Eligibility: Open exclusively to families who have spent time on a neonatal unit in the North East and/or Transitional Care.

How to Book: https://www.tinylives.org.uk/meet-chat-learn/

The Active Lifestyles Group meets for two hours on a Friday afternoon for a two hour trip through some of Leeds’ finest parks. 

This group is free.

Most weeks there are about 10 members joining us, with support workers where required.

Our trips are reasonably gentle. They last for the full two hours with short stops for rests when somebody needs one. 

We aim for paths and grass, rather than scrambling up rocks.

We meet at a different venue each week. Examples of parks we visit are: Roundhay, Middleton and Golden Acre.

Absolutely FREE! 

Every Friday

13:00 until 15:00

Meet at the location, which will change every week

People can join by contacting Al Mayes on 0113 2443729 or al.mayes@peopleinaction.org.uk

Description: This nurturing session focuses on the benefits of infant massage, including improved sleep, digestion, and emotional bonding. Run by Kalma Life, it provides a quiet, safe space to learn soothing techniques while connecting with a community of parents who understand the neonatal experience.

• When: Every Friday

• Time: 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm

• Location: Ridgeway Family Hub (Kalma Life)

• Cost: Free for eligible families

• Eligibility: Open exclusively to families who have spent time on a neonatal unit in the North East and/or Transitional Care.

How to Book: https://www.tinylives.org.uk/meet-chat-learn/

Book here >