Upcoming Events

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:

• When: Saturdays, 26th September to 28th November 2026 (8 sessions total) | 2:15pm – 4:15pm (includes breaks)

• Where: Leeds Conservatoire, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7PD

• Who it’s for: Advised age 8+ (family and friends welcome!)

• Cost/Places: Places are limited, so booking is essential.

🔗 For more information & to book: www.madewithmusic.co.uk/open

📩 Email: hello@madewithmusic.co.uk

Our family swim sessions are a popular and fun all age activity. We run two sessions on a Saturday afternoon- 3:15pm-4:15pm and 4:15pm-5:15pm. These are available from 10am on the Saturday a week before the session and can fill up fast! You can book in up to 4pm on the Friday before the session. 

Click here to book Please enter details of everyone attending. There is the option to donate on booking, but absolutely no pressure to do so.
Swimming lessons

We are able to offer 8 swimming lessons per session with the qualified Bramley Baths swimming teachers. Priority is given to children and young people with Down Syndrome but if there are spaces on the day siblings and other family members can be given a lesson. You can request a lesson in the space on the online booking form.

Please note:-

• Non-swimmers will not be able to swim in the deep end (past the no armbands sign!) in accordance with Bramley’s Health & Safety policy.
• Please do not leave your belongings in cubicles. Please use the lockers provided to allow others to use the cubicles. The communal changing area is also open.

Our fortnightly football sessions are for children & young people aged 4-16. At the session we split the group and have a younger team and an older team.

Children and young people will need a parent or carer to be present throughout the session.

We have two fabulous coaches – Julie Earl and Iain.

Please click here to book.

Our fortnightly football sessions are for children & young people aged 4-16. At the session we split the group and have a younger team and an older team.

Children and young people will need a parent or carer to be present throughout the session.

We have two fabulous coaches – Julie Earl and Iain.

Please click here to book.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, anxious, or simply looking for ways to improve your wellbeing?

Leeds Therapy Hub CIC is launching two new supportive wellbeing groups this September, designed for adults, parents, and carers who are experiencing stress, burnout, anxiety, or who simply want to prioritise their own wellbeing.

Both groups provide a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental space where you can slow down, reconnect with yourself, and learn practical, strategies to support your mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Creative Calm: Mindfulness Art Sessions

6 weeks of relaxation, recharging, and reconnecting through mindful making

Creative Calm is a friendly, supportive community wellbeing group that uses simple mindfulness-based art and relaxation practices to help calm the nervous system and support emotional wellbeing.

Research suggests that engaging in mindful, creative activity can help reduce stress, support emotional regulation, and gently move the body and mind away from a “fight or flight” state toward a calmer, more grounded way of being.

This group is designed to offer a regular space to slow down, take a break from everyday pressures, and reconnect with yourself in a calm and supportive environment alongside others.

Through guided mindful making activities, you will be supported to:

· Calm the mind and body through gentle creative practice

· Reduce stress and physical tension

· Support emotional balance and wellbeing

· Explore simple, accessible mindfulness-based art techniques

· Create space for rest, reflection, and relaxation

No artistic experience is needed. The focus is not on the finished artwork, but on the process—slowing down, noticing the present moment, and allowing yourself time to simply be.

Calm Within – An 8-Week Journey for Parents and Carers

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, emotionally drained, or simply struggling to find time to reconnect with yourself.

Calm Within has been created as a supportive space for parents and carers to pause, reflect, recharge, and develop practical tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and confidence.

Over 8 weeks, together we will explore ways to:

· Find greater calm and balance

· Learn practical tools for everyday challenges

· Build emotional resilience and confidence

· Develop a deeper connection with yourself

· Create healthier boundaries

· Feel more grounded and centred

· Gain support in a safe, welcoming space

· Move forward with clarity and purpose

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.

You deserve support too.

Spaces are intentionally kept small to create a warm, supportive group environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported.

Because when you support yourself, everyone benefits.

Whether you’re looking to reconnect through regulating your nervous system through creativity with Creative Calm Mindfulness Art sessions or invest in your own wellbeing through Calm Within, these groups offer a supportive space to help you reduce stress, feel more resilient, and better equipped to navigate the challenges of everyday life.

We look forward to welcoming you this September.

Book Your Place

Starting: September 2026

For dates, times, costs and location details, please email: leedstherapyhubcic@gmail.com

Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.

 Many of our regular families had raised concerns with us that once their young person turns 18, and although here at the Autism Hub we have our amazing partners – Autism in Mind (AIM) who offer support to autistic adults, many families have shared their worry that ultimately and technically the support for the family themselves stops.

Families have shared with us that they get so much from our services, especially our monthly peer support groups (Cuppa & Cakes) calling it their ‘safe space’. We pride ourselves on listening to feedback, adapting, and expanding where we can on our offer here at the Autism Hub.

With that in mind we are thrilled to share that we have expanded our monthly cuppa and cake groups to include a NEW monthly group for families with autistic young adults 18+

Booking is essential.

To book a place:

Call 0191 816 0550

Email autismhub@ttht.co.uk

Or book via our website ttht.co.uk/autism-hub-events/

**Please note this group is for parent/carers only not the young adult.

For support for autistic adults please follow the link to AIMs offer in South Tyneside https://autisminmind.com/aim-south-tyneside

• Description: An informal group for parent-carers to discuss a monthly book and enjoy a bit of ‘me-time’.

• Date/Time: Every Monday (Starting 2nd February), 10:00am – 11:00am.

• Location: Grace House, Bardolph Drive, Sunderland, SR5 2DE.

• 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

Online Adaptive Box-Fit Class with Luiz

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

• Description: Inclusive yoga sessions designed specifically for parent-carers to help manage stress and physical health.

• Date/Time: Mondays 11am-12pm & Wednesdays 1:15pm-2:15pm.

• Cost: £2 per session.

• Location: Grace House, Bardolph Drive, Sunderland, SR5 2DE.

• Contact: 0191 435 2088 | info@gracehouse.co.uk

Short Description:

A friendly, supportive 6-week community wellbeing group using simple mindfulness-based art practices to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and support emotional balance.

Full Description:

Creative Calm is a supportive group offering a regular space to slow down, take a break from everyday pressures, and reconnect with yourself. Engaging in mindful, creative activity can help reduce stress and gently move the mind away from a “fight or flight” state toward a calmer, more grounded way of being.

No artistic experience is needed—the focus is entirely on the process of slowing down, noticing the present moment, and giving yourself time to rest.

What You’ll Experience:

• Calming the mind and body through gentle creative practice

• Reducing stress, physical tension, and supporting emotional balance

• Exploring simple, accessible mindfulness-based art techniques

• Creating dedicated space for rest, reflection, and relaxation

Event Details:

• Start Date: Monday 14th September 2026

• Duration: 6 weeks

• Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

• Group Size: Maximum of 10 participants

• Cost: £25.00 per person, per week

• Location: To be announced (Headingley/Burley area of Leeds)

• Booking Enquiries: Leedstherapyhubcic@gmail.com

Event Description

We are pleased to share this learning opportunity from our network partners at BSL Search.

If you have ever wanted to learn British Sign Language, this 6-week taster programme offers a basic introduction to BSL. Developed and taught by a Deaf tutor, the course is an excellent starting point for building foundational communication skills.

Event Details

• Course Length: 6-week course

• Start Date: Monday 7th September 2026

• Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm

• Cost: £100

• Location: Online / direct course delivery (please check with the provider upon booking)

How to Book

Spaces must be booked in advance directly with the provider:

• Email: Hello@bslsearch.co.uk

• Website: www.bslsearch.co.uk/courses.php

Please note: This course is structured and run entirely by BSL Search. It is shared on our website on behalf of our network partners.

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

Book course in London

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.

We’re launching a convenient tea-time coffee break especially for parent carers!

Tuesdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm

FREE

Drop in for a cuppa, relax, and connect with other parent carers in a friendly, supportive space, all while your child is safely engaged in their session.

A little time for you at the end of the day 
No pressure, just support and community.
We’d love to see you there 

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