Upcoming Events

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

📍 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 >

Online Beginners Yoga with Maddie from Poplar Yoga

Yoga with Maddie is a free session you can access via Zoom, please email or message if you would like the link to join.

Email: hello@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk 
Mob: 07442 332678

This is a 45 minute session where we will do some calm and relaxing sequences together via the Zoom app. We will start with lovely stretches to get the body moving and help us to feel energised, followed by moments of deep breathing and relaxation at the end. Take some time to relax and refresh, and you’ll leave feeling chilled for the rest of your day! It’s suitable for people who have never done Yoga before – no pressure to get anything perfect – just join in and make it your own! Participants take part at their own risk and we advise to follow along at the level you are comfortable with.

What to prepare:

1. Yoga mat or clear space for you to move
2. Pillows and blankets
3. A chair if you would like support when balancing
4. A yoga belt or dressing gown tie

Join us!

Contact
Phone: 07442 332678
Email: hello@sunshineandsmiles.org.uk

Upcoming Special Events Schedule

• 🚑 Emergency Services Day

  • What: A fantastic, interactive day to meet our local emergency services.

  • When: Sunday 26th July 2026

  • Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

  • Cost: Check booking link

• 🛥️ WetWheels Boat Trips

  • What: Truly accessible, barrier-free boating experiences for families.

  • When: Friday 31st July 2026 & Sunday 30th August 2026

  • Available Times: 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 4:00pm time slots

• 🤠 Toys are Back in Town

  • What: A fun, character-filled interactive day.

  • When: Sunday 23rd August 2026

  • Time: Starts at 11:30am

• 🏰 Disney Magic Family Ball

  • What: A magical, inclusive family ball full of music, characters, and dance.

  • When: Saturday 3rd October 2026

  • Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm

• 🎈 Summer Fun Day

  • When: Date is currently TBC—keep an eye on the booking link for details!

How to Book

Spaces are limited for these special excursions and main events, so pre-booking directly through the provider is essential:

• Booking Link: https://www.thespeciallioness.com/events

Please note: These major events are planned, hosted, and managed entirely by The Special Lioness. They are shared on our website on behalf of our network partners.

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.

• When: Every Saturday

• Time: 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm

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

• Cost: £2 donation on entry (Dancers are encouraged to pay at the door to help practice their independent money skills).

https://www.downsyndromebradford.com/

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.

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

Description

LS12 Creative is the home of Interplay Theatre’s participation work. Our monthly Sensory Open Days are themed differently each time to introduce new ideas, celebrate messy spaces, and promote play—whatever that means for you!

Designed for young people with learning disabilities, PMLD, and/or Autism, these sessions are led by the participants and our artists with very few rules or expectations. It is a relaxed, supportive environment where everyone can explore, create, and express themselves.

2026 Schedule (Saturdays)

• 11th April

• 9th May

• 6th June

• 4th July

• 1st August

• 12th September

• 3rd October

• 7th November

• 5th December

Session Times

• Morning: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

• Afternoon: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Essential Info

• Cost: FREE

• Location: Interplay Theatre, Armley Ridge Road, Leeds, LS12 3LE.

• Transport: Accessible via the 15, 16, 72, and 508 bus routes.

How to Book

Booking is required to help us plan activities and manage capacity.

• Email: takepart@interplaytheatre.org.uk

• Call: 0113 263 8556

• Text: 07444 229628

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