Events

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

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

Date/Time: Every Tuesday, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
Location: Pinnacle Performance Fitness Studio, Bradford.
Book online: https://www.downsyndromebradford.com/

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:

Nunsmoor Centre, Studley Terrace, NE4 5AH
3rd Sept, 1st Oct, 5th Nov and 3rd Dec 2025
7th Jan, 4th Feb, 4th Mar, 1st Apr 2026

Galafield Centre, Newbiggin Ln, NE5 1LZ
10th Sept, 8th Oct, 12th Nov and 10th Dec 2025
14th Jan, 11th Feb, 11th Mar, 8th Apr 2026

Byker Sands, 19 Raby Cross, NE6 2FF
17th Sept, 15th Oct and 19th Nov 2025
21st Jan, 18th Feb, 18th Mar, 15th Apr 2026

Fawdon Childrens, Centre, Cairns Way, NE3 2SN
24th Sept, 22nd Oct and 26th Nov
28th Jan, 25th Feb, 25th Mar, 22nd Apr

Charlton Street Hub, Charlton Street, NE15 8RN
21st Jan, 18th Feb, 18th Mar, 15th Apr

The Treehouse Early, Years Centre, Brunel Terrace, NE4 7NL
28th Jan, 25th Feb, 25th Mar, 22nd 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

Description: Join us for a stimulating and supportive Baby Sensory session. These classes are designed to engage your baby’s senses through light, sound, and texture, providing a wonderful bonding experience for you both. It is also a brilliant opportunity to meet other neonatal parents in a relaxed setting.

When: Every Wednesday
Time: 11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Lovabelle, Visage House, 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/

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

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!

WheelPower is the national charity for wheelchair sport and its our mission to support disabled people of all ages to lead healthier and more active lives through movement, activity and sport.

We understand that there are many people in our community working with people with physical disabilities, and this short online course is here to give you the knowledge and confidence in your own organisations. Time is precious which is why we have re-engineered this course content to make the very best of your limited time. Leave confident to adapt any session for wheelchair users

Course Format

Will now take place in two parts. All attendees will be sent the link to the Online Training module upon signing up to the course and will be asked to complete this prior to attending the Tutor Led element.

Part 1: Self-Guided Learning Module (45–60 minutes)
This module helps learners understand how to include people with spinal cord injuries and other physical impairments in sport and activity. It explores barriers and opportunities to participation, appropriate language, and practical off-court considerations to make activities more accessible and inclusive.
Part 2: Tutor-Led Online Course via Zoom (Approx. 2 hours)
This interactive session includes breakout discussions and insights from our tutor’s lived experience. You’ll explore inclusive sports and adaptable activities for people with physical disabilities. The course aims to build your confidence in supporting disabled people to access and enjoy sport and activity.

Who is the course suitable for?

If you are a teacher, coach, sports student, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist striving to adapt your sports session for wheelchair participants, then this training is for you.

Future Opportunities

This course will enable you to support WheelPower in the delivery of programmes and events as well as other governing bodies, organisations and clubs that provide opportunities for disabled people to participate in wheelchair sport and physical activity.

After the course each participant will be provided with further support from WheelPower Sports Team should you have additional questions, or need us to help you make contact with organisations local to you.

Cost

This training course costs us £500 to organise. We kindly ask for a donation to help cover these costs. Your support will enable us to continue providing access to sport for people with physical disabilities.

Contact

If you have any questions about this course please contact the team via sport@wheelpower.org.uk

Engaging Wheelchair Participants in Sport