Upcoming Events
Henry Moore Lecture Theatre, Leeds Art GalleryLeeds, West Yorkshire
Saturday 5 December • 1 PM – 4 PM
Overview
A presentation and discussion with Benedict Phillips (artist) and Briony Martin (Lotus Links Founder).
NO CRY FOR HELP IS LOUD ENOUGH
1.00-2.00pm
Benedict Phillips (artist) and Briony Martin (Lotus links founder)
An introduction to the processes that brought this project into being. The experiences and inspiration that built the Lotus links community, and shaped this process. Followed by a Q & A.
2:00-4:00pm
Community exhibition & launch
Join the artist and community to explore the exhibition. Light refreshments and a separate quiet safe space will be available throughout the day in Henry Moore lecture theatre.
Exhibition description:
NO CRY FOR HELP IS LOUD ENOUGH
An installation of Photography and text made through a collaboration between Artist & Curator Benedict Phillips and the Lotus Links Peer Support community. Exploring and expressing deeply personal and emotive shared experiences of Neurodivergence in conflict with institutional processes and thinking.
This work involves considerable personal investment, discussing, exploring and finding different ways to express what is often left unsaid in public spaces and finding a way to communicate this through Art.
This work comes from a desire to tell stories in response to what has happened in the past and what is happening right now in people’s lives. It explores emotive lived experience through ideas of activism, performance, poetry and photography with a clear intention to be a provocation, and to open up a debate around the hierarchy and relationships between institutions and their policies and the individual. Highlighting the impact on parents and their children who find themselves living in conflict with the normative and ableism of our world all around them.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/no-cry-for-help-is-loud-enough-community-exhibition-and-launch-event-tickets-2002237051921
Our course helps professionals, parents and carers use music to unlock communication and creativity. The training includes interactive workshops, real-world examples, and take-home resources.
Book your course: https://jessiesfund.org.uk/our-work/training/making-music-with-special-children/
Who is the course for?
The course is open to anyone working with or caring for children who have additional needs, complex needs, or life-shortening illnesses. Whether you’re a musical novice or have some experience you will go away with plenty of ideas and practical techniques that you can start using straight away. Even if you are an accomplished musician, our course will teach you how your skills can be applied in this new context, giving you the confidence to bring your music to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
What will the course cover?
Exploring musical instruments
Working with pulse and rhythm
Singing
Using iPads for music
Approaches to working one-to-one
Working with groups
How much does it cost?
Course fees
Jessie’s Fund subsidises your training, so your contribution for the whole two-day course will be just £95. This includes refreshments and a light lunch on both days.
Book course in York
Our York course will be at York CVS Priory Street Centre, Priory Street, YO1 6ET on the 9th and 10th November 2026.
Book course in London
Our London course will be at LSO St Luke’s, Old Street, EC1V 9NG on the 29th and 30th September 2026.
Date: Monday 12th October
Time: 9.15am – 10.15am (Meets every 2nd Monday of the month)
Venue: The Community Hub, Hunslet Carr Primary School, Leeds, LS10 2DN
Event Description: Does your child have Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), or are you wondering if they might have a PDA profile?
Join us for our monthly friendly coffee morning hosted by The Lightbulb Moment. This is an informal, supportive space where parents and carers can: • Connect with other local families • Meet Lindsay from The Lightbulb Moment PDA team • Share lived experiences and insights • Receive guidance and support in a safe environment
Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you are simply exploring whether PDA fits your family’s experience, everyone is warmly welcome.
Cost: Free
Booking & Enquiries: For more information or to book your place, please email Lindsay at Lindsay.clarkson@thelightbulbmomentpda.com Website: https://www.thelightbulbmomentpda.com
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Description: An informal group for parent-carers to discuss a monthly book and enjoy a bit of ‘me-time’.
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Date/Time: Every Monday (Starting 2nd February), 10:00am – 11:00am.
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Location: Grace House, Bardolph Drive, Sunderland, SR5 2DE.
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Contact: 0191 435 2088 | info@gracehouse.co.uk
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.
Give your child the best possible start in life!
Join our My Time to Play programme, designed specifically for children aged 0–4 with vision impairment.
About the Programme
We offer fun and supportive group sessions to help your child develop practical skills and confidence through the power of play.
- Meet other parents and children
- Gain expert tips and guidance from our trained staff
- Support your child’s early development in a friendly, inclusive environment
Next Programme Details
📍 Location: Hemlington Lake & Recreation Centre
Cass House Road, Middlesbrough, TS8 9QW
📅 When: Fortnightly on Mondays
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
How to Sign Up
✅ Visit: guidedogs.org.uk/mttp
📧 Email: MTTPNewcastle@guidedogs.org.uk
📞 Call: 0800 781 1444
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a registered charity in England, Wales, Scotland, and Isle of Man.
Join WheelPower and Luiz Faye for a FREE Online Adaptive Box-Fit Class from the comfort of your homes LIVE on Zoom.
- Luiz Faye will be your fitness trainer for this live class from WheelPower. During this online class Luiz will be taking us through a 40-minute workout that includes a short warm-up and warm down.
- The new Adaptive Box-fit classes are the perfect introduction to the sport with no equipment needed, and are suitable for most people who are unable to participate in boxing from a standing position.
- The sessions are designed to incorporate functional fitness, strength and conditioning; paying particular attention to the transfer of adaptive boxing skills and drills to increase core stability, mobility and overall upper body strength.
- Although all our sessions feature an element of adaptive boxing, experience is not necessary. In fact, you don’t even need to take the sport out of your living room so there’s no pressure to jump in the ring! Consider it to be boxing moves for the functional benefits and not for the fight!
- All the exercises are done from a seated position and can be adapted to suit varying abilities and fitness levels. You must, however, be guided by your body and work out to suit your needs safely.
Example programme:
- 11:00 to 11:05 – Welcome and introduction
- 11:05 to 11:45 – Workout (approx. 40 minutes)
- 11:45 to 11:55 – Q&A opportunity
- 11:55 to 12:00 – WheelPower programmes
Location
In your home or garden!
Equipment
- A laptop/computer or phone to access the class via Zoom.
- A bottle of water
Sunbeams is our youngest group and is for any children from birth (or even before!) to 4 years along with their siblings, parents and carers. It is a lovely time for playing, chatting and sharing a cuppa with other familes. We always end the group with a time of singing and signing which is popular with the little ones.
We would ask people to be mindful of the vulnerability of people with Down syndrome; please do not attend a face to face session if you are unwell with something that could be passed on to others – we are grateful for your ongoing understanding and consideration of each other.
Contact
Phone: Weekday: 07442 332678 Weekend: 07472 320168
Email: hello@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk
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Description: Inclusive yoga sessions designed specifically for parent-carers to help manage stress and physical health.
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Date/Time: Mondays 11am-12pm & Wednesdays 1:15pm-2:15pm.
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Cost: £2 per session.
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Location: Grace House, Bardolph Drive, Sunderland, SR5 2DE.
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Contact: 0191 435 2088 | info@gracehouse.co.uk
Anjali Dance Company and Access Sport are working together to offer dance sessions for learning disabled and neurodivergent young people and young adults. First session is FREE and then £3 for all other sessions.
🗓️Mondays 5:30 – 6:30pm, term time
📍 Moseley Community Hub, 496 Moseley Rd, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 9AH
To sign up: Scan the QR code on the flyer, or click this link https://eequ.org/book/anjali-inclusive-dance-classes-birmingham-with-anjali-dance-company-26495
You can also email info@anjali.co.uk or call 07482169667 if you have any questions,
Henry Moore Lecture Theatre, Leeds Art GalleryLeeds, West Yorkshire
Saturday 5 December • 1 PM – 4 PM
Overview
A presentation and discussion with Benedict Phillips (artist) and Briony Martin (Lotus Links Founder).
NO CRY FOR HELP IS LOUD ENOUGH
1.00-2.00pm
Benedict Phillips (artist) and Briony Martin (Lotus links founder)
An introduction to the processes that brought this project into being. The experiences and inspiration that built the Lotus links community, and shaped this process. Followed by a Q & A.
2:00-4:00pm
Community exhibition & launch
Join the artist and community to explore the exhibition. Light refreshments and a separate quiet safe space will be available throughout the day in Henry Moore lecture theatre.
Exhibition description:
NO CRY FOR HELP IS LOUD ENOUGH
An installation of Photography and text made through a collaboration between Artist & Curator Benedict Phillips and the Lotus Links Peer Support community. Exploring and expressing deeply personal and emotive shared experiences of Neurodivergence in conflict with institutional processes and thinking.
This work involves considerable personal investment, discussing, exploring and finding different ways to express what is often left unsaid in public spaces and finding a way to communicate this through Art.
This work comes from a desire to tell stories in response to what has happened in the past and what is happening right now in people’s lives. It explores emotive lived experience through ideas of activism, performance, poetry and photography with a clear intention to be a provocation, and to open up a debate around the hierarchy and relationships between institutions and their policies and the individual. Highlighting the impact on parents and their children who find themselves living in conflict with the normative and ableism of our world all around them.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/no-cry-for-help-is-loud-enough-community-exhibition-and-launch-event-tickets-2002237051921
• 13 October 2026: Gateway Family Services – Health, wellbeing and community support
• 10 November 2026: Act on Energy – Practical ways to lower utility bills and access grants
• 15 December 2026: Festive fun
Time: Tuesdays, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Birmingham LGBT Centre, 151 Hurst Street, Birmingham, B5 6EW
Our course helps professionals, parents and carers use music to unlock communication and creativity. The training includes interactive workshops, real-world examples, and take-home resources.
Book your course: https://jessiesfund.org.uk/our-work/training/making-music-with-special-children/
Who is the course for?
The course is open to anyone working with or caring for children who have additional needs, complex needs, or life-shortening illnesses. Whether you’re a musical novice or have some experience you will go away with plenty of ideas and practical techniques that you can start using straight away. Even if you are an accomplished musician, our course will teach you how your skills can be applied in this new context, giving you the confidence to bring your music to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
What will the course cover?
Exploring musical instruments
Working with pulse and rhythm
Singing
Using iPads for music
Approaches to working one-to-one
Working with groups
How much does it cost?
Course fees
Jessie’s Fund subsidises your training, so your contribution for the whole two-day course will be just £95. This includes refreshments and a light lunch on both days.
Book course in York
Our York course will be at York CVS Priory Street Centre, Priory Street, YO1 6ET on the 9th and 10th November 2026.
Book course in London
Our London course will be at LSO St Luke’s, Old Street, EC1V 9NG on the 29th and 30th September 2026.
For parents / carers of children who are awaiting a referral to the neurodevelopmental diagnostic team, on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of autism.
Children must be living in North Tyneside.
We have the following dates available:
Riverside Family Hub, NE29 6DQ
2nd Sept, 7th Oct, 4th Nov and 2nd Dec 2025
6th Jan, 3rd Feb, 3rd Mar, 7th Apr
Howdon Family Hub, NE28 0AL
9th Sept, 14th Oct, 11th Nov and 9th Dec 2025
13th Jan, 10th Feb, 10th Mar, 14th Apr
Shiremoor Family Hub, NE27 0TA
16th Sept, 21st Oct and 18th Nov
20th Jan, 17th Feb, 17th Mar, 21st Apr
Supporting your autistic child workshop
The workshop will cover:
- worries and action planning
- common misconceptions
- differences in autistic children
- practical strategies to use in everyday life
These sessions will run 10-12 and must be pre-booked.
One to one appointments
These appointments are for families that have questions or would like to discuss any issues in confidence.
These appointments are available between 9-10 and 12.30-4 and must be pre-booked.
To book please contact Rebecca Weatherstone on 0191 410 9974 or rebecca.weatherstone@ne-as.org.uk
A welcoming group for all children aged 0–5 and their families.
When:
Every Tuesday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
(Term-time only)
Where:
Sheffield Mencap, Norfolk Lodge
Park Grange Road, Sheffield, S2 3QF
What to Expect:
- Free of charge – no booking needed, just drop in!
- A chance to meet other parents
- Fun children’s activities, toys, and games
- Refreshments provided
Who is it for?
Families with children aged 0–5 looking for an inclusive, friendly environment to play and connect.
Organisation: North East Autism Society
Date: Tuesday mornings
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Venue: Byker Sands Family Centre, 19 Raby Cross, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2FF
Age: 5 and under
Details:
A weekly Family Development parent and toddler group for children aged 5 and under who are going through the diagnostic process or have a diagnosis of autism. Sessions must be pre-booked in advance.
Booking & contact: Contact Lauren Abbott on 07795 320 314 or email lauren.abbott@ne-as.org.uk
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Date: Tuesday 10th November 2026
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Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
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Venue: Ossett Fire Station, Ossett, Wakefield, WF5 9TR
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Organiser: The Lightbulb Moment PDA CIC
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Contact: Jenny Pash (PDA SEND Advocate & Trainer) – jenny.pash@thelightbulbmomentpda.com / 07447636826
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Details: In-person Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) training session delivered by The Lightbulb Moment PDA CIC.
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VI (Visually Impaired) Weekly Tennis: 12:30pm – 3:00pm (Spring/Summer: Brentwood Tennis Centre | Autumn/Winter: Graves Tennis Centre)
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Serving Autism: 10:00am – 11:00am
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Yorkshire Para Standing Tennis Club: 11:00am – 12:00pm
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Cardio Tennis: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
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Walking Tennis: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
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Sensory Tennis: 11:00am – 12:00pm
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Mencap & Gateway Adult Tennis Inclusive (LD): 12:00pm – 1:00pm
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Wheelchair Tennis Inclusive Group: 1:00pm – 2:00pm (Graves Tennis Centre)
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Women’s Group: 11:00am – 12:00pm (Brentwood)
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Women’s Doubles Tennis: 12:00pm – 1:00pm (Brentwood)
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Cardio Tennis: 1:00pm – 2:00pm (Brentwood)
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Walking Tennis: 2:00pm – 3:00pm (Brentwood)
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Women’s Tennis Xpress Starter Group: 6:00pm – 7:00pm (Graves)
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Kids Tennis Inclusive: 1:00pm – 1:45pm & 2:00pm – 2:45pm (Spring/Summer: Brentwood Tennis Centre | Autumn/Winter: Hallamshire Tennis & Squash Club)
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Email Ben: benabilitytennis@gmail.com
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Open Court Enquiries: yorkshireopencourt@gmail.com
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Website: https://www.abilitytennis.co.uk
Organisation: North East Autism Society
Date: Tuesday afternoons
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Venue: Carnegie Building, Atkinson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 8XS
Age: 5 and under
Details:
A weekly Family Development parent and toddler group for children aged 5 and under who are going through the diagnostic process or have a diagnosis of autism. Sessions must be pre-booked in advance.
Booking & contact: Contact Lauren Abbott on 07795 320 314 or email lauren.abbott@ne-as.org.uk