Upcoming Events
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
- Creative – crafts, facepainting and a collaborative community art activity
- Active – boccia, circus skills and games
- Wellbeing – silent disco, chair yoga and quieter activities
- Community – drumming, photo booth and opportunities to meet and connect with others
Twirly21s is a lovely continuation from our early development groups, designed specifically for children with Down syndrome aged 5 to 12.
These sessions are more than just a dance class; they provide a consistent space for parents and children to keep in touch, share experiences, and grow together. Our dancers focus on coordination, rhythm, and confidence in a fun, friendly environment.
Classes are delivered by Claire King, who has a wealth of experience working with young children with Down syndrome.
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When: Every Saturday
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Time: 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm
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Where: Footsteps Theatre School, Idle, BD10 8PY
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Cost: £2 donation on entry (Dancers are encouraged to pay at the door to help practice their independent money skills).
Children can also enjoy archery using safe inflatable equipment. This session runs on Saturdays from 9:30am to 10:15am at the Brierley site.
For more information or to book a place, email Jo at jo@snapsyorkshire.org.
SNAPS offers friendly, inclusive football sessions for children with additional needs and their siblings, aged 4–16. All abilities are welcome, with a focus on fun! Sessions run every Saturday between 9:30am and 1:30pm at the Broomfield site, with four one-hour classes tailored to different age groups and abilities.
Our sessions run from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays during term time.
Sessions take place at the following locations:
- Penny Field SILC, Tongue Lane, Meanwood, Leeds LS6 4QD
- Co‑op Academy Brierley, Cross Green Lane, Cross Green, Leeds LS9 0BA
Access our services
Children do not need a formal diagnosis to access SNAPS’ services. Families can self-refer, or be referred by another organisation. Sessions must be booked in advance.
Please complete our referral form and a member of the SNAPS team will be in touch:
Smilers and Youth for ages 8-18 meets every other Saturday morning.
This week will be a Yoga session with Debs.
You can book onto the session here– there is the option to donate when booking but absolutely no pressure to do so.
Siblings are very welcome.
Bookings will close at 4pm on Friday and please remember to cancel your place if you can no longer attend. Enjoy!
Sunflowers for ages 2-8 on a Saturday morning, every 2 weeks.
This week will be a Yoga session with Debs
These sessions encourage children to explore their imagination and use their bodies through play and movement. Accessible to all – we use props, craft, music and singing to promote a creative environment full of fun.
You can book onto the session here.
Siblings are welcome. Bookings will close at 4pm on Friday and please remember to cancel your place if you can no longer attend. Enjoy!
Siblings Welcome!
📍 Location:
Sensory World
Old Westgate
Dewsbury, WF13 1NB
🗓 When:
Every Saturday, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Starting 1st November
✅ For children and young people with SEND or suspected SEND.
Why You’ll Love It
- ✔ Fully accessible facilities
- ✔ Fantastic, friendly staff
- ✔ Inclusive and diverse environment
- ✔ Wide range of engaging activities
- ✔ Safe and secure setting
- ✔ Outdoor garden space
Cost: FREE
Contact for details: Sensory World 07801 065589
Location: Sensory World, Old Westgate, Dewsbury, WF13 1NB
Time: Saturdays, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Start Date: November 1
Join us for FREE inclusive clubs designed for children and young people with SEND or suspected SEND:
- Explorers Club (Ages 0–12)
- Teens Club (Ages 13–25)
Why You’ll Love It:
✔ Fully accessible facilities
✔ Friendly, experienced staff
✔ Embracing diversity
✔ Wide range of fun activities
✔ Safe and secure environment
✔ Outdoor garden space
Booking & Details:
Call 07801 065589 for more information
Saturday Stars groups run every Saturday morning during term-time. All groups are suitable for children from their reception year at school up to age 17.
Children are supported to progress towards their own personal goals within our core values: relationships, community, independence, confidence and wellbeing.
At the end of each term children receive a star certificate to celebrate their achievements.
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
Looking for a supportive space to make music together? OPEN is an inclusive ensemble in Leeds designed for anyone who might need extra support to make music alongside family and friends.
Bring your own instruments or use the ones provided on the day!
✨ Details:
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When: Saturdays, 26th September to 28th November 2026 (8 sessions total) | 2:15pm – 4:15pm (includes breaks)
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Where: Leeds Conservatoire, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7PD
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Who it’s for: Advised age 8+ (family and friends welcome!)
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Cost/Places: Places are limited, so booking is essential.
🔗 For more information & to book: www.madewithmusic.co.uk/open
📩 Email: hello@madewithmusic.co.uk
📝 About the Event
- What we will be doing: We’re delighted to have exclusive access to the cinema for Little Hiccups families to enjoy the brand-new The Cat in the Hat film (2026). With the whole screening dedicated to families of children with additional needs, you can relax and enjoy the movie in a welcoming, understanding, and supportive environment alongside other Little Hiccups families.
- Is it structured? The timing of the film is structured but this will be a relaxed screening. There will be space to move around during the film and there will be members of the Little Hiccups team on hand, if needed.
- Who it’s for & Group Size: This event is for everyone – The Cat in the Hat is suitable for all ages.
- Date & Time: Sunday 15th November 2026 – Arrive from 9.15am, film beginning at 10am.
🚗 Getting There & Arrival
- Venue Address: Showcase Cinema de Lux Leeds, Gelderd Road, Batley, WF17 9TB
- Venue Website: Leeds Showtimes & Tickets | Showcase Cinema de Lux Leeds — Showcase Cinemas – UK
- Parking & Drop-Off: There are a number of Blue Badge bays at the entrance of the cinema, with ramp access. There is also a large car park, with step access to the cinema.
- Finding Little Hiccups: When you enter the cinema, a member of the Little Hiccups team will be ready to greet you.
- Entrance Doors: There are heavy doors, but a Little Hiccups rep will be around – let us know if you will need any assistance.
🚶 Moving Around Inside
- Corridors & Space: The main foyer has very wide, spacious corridors with plenty of room for large specialised wheelchairs and double pushchairs etc.
- Lifts & Levels: The venue is all on one level and there are ramps at the entrance.
- Seating: In the foyer, there is a small seating area, which can be used before and during the screening. When you are booking your tickets, PLEASE ENSURE TO LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED A WHEELCHAIR SPACE, as these are limited.
🚽 Toilets & Changing Facilities
- Standard Accessible Toilet: Yes, located close to our screen. No Radar key required.
- Changing Places Toilet: There is NO changing Place Toilet onsite but there is one within Ikea, which is a couple of minutes drive away.
- Baby Changing: Available in both the ladies’ and gents’ toilets.
🎧 Sensory Adjustments
- 💡 Lights kept on at a low level rather than being completely dark.
- 🔉 Reduced sound volume to make the experience less overwhelming.
- 🚫 No adverts or trailers before the film.
- 💬 Subtitles.
- 🚶Freedom to move around, leave and re-enter the screen, or take breaks when needed.
- 🗣️ Talking, vocalising, and movement are welcomed and not judged.
🍰 Food & Drinks
- What’s provided: Children receive a Kids drink and popcorn and we’re treating the adults too and you also get a popcorn and drink combination courtesy of Little Hiccups.If there any dietary requirements where the above is not suitable, we will be happy to do what we can. Please email events@littlehiccups.co.uk to discuss options.
- Dietary Info & Bringing Your Own: Please feel free to bring your own specific dietary food and snacks.
⛑️ Safety & Support
- First Aid: Little Hiccups staff are first-aid trained, and the venue also has dedicated first aiders.
- Emergency Evacuation: All emergency exits are step-free and lead directly to a safe outdoor assembly point. The team at Showcase will tell us what to do incase of an emergency.
🎟️ How to Book
Ready to join us? Book below to secure your family’s spot on our event!
Booking opens on Monday 5th October at 6pm.
Booking close’s on Friday 6th November at 6pm.
For any specific questions about this event’s layout or accessibility arrangements, please always feel free to drop us an email at
events@littlehiccups.co.uk and we will be super happy to help you out!
Important Booking Information:
Please note that our events are heavily subsidised by Little Hiccups to support our community. Because the charity covers the remaining costs based on our final confirmed numbers (such as venue hire, refreshments, entertainers and presenter costs), we kindly ask that you let us know if your plans change. If you can no longer make it, please cancel your places by emailing events@littlehiccups.co.uk so we can reallocate the spots and prevent charity funds from being lost.
Book here: https://www.littlehiccups.co.uk/events/2026_11_15_showcase-cinema-the-cat-in-the-hat
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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.
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
The Toby Henderson Trust is launching a new monthly parent group hosted by Speech and Language Therapist, Emily. This supportive session is focused on children and young people who are diagnosed autistic, or potentially autistic, and experience Selective Mutism (also known as Situational Mutism).
It’s a welcoming space to learn more about Selective Mutism, share practical strategies, and connect with families who truly understand the journey.
✨ Details:
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When: Starting Monday 21st September | 10:00am – 11:00am
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Where: Toby House, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 7AD
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Who it’s for: Parents and carers supporting children/young people with Selective Mutism
🎟️ To book your place:
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Email: admin@ttht.co.uk
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Phone: 0300 365 3055
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
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