Upcoming Events

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:

• 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

Bookings open on April 1st and close 2 days before the event. 

Join us for a relaxing family afternoon at Bianco Lounge, brought to you by Little Hiccups in collaboration with Bianco Lounge.

This event is designed to give families a relaxing afternoon in a welcoming environment. Enjoy a friendly atmosphere, great company, and delicious food.

The aim of this is to hold a regular event for families to be able to relax and to get together. It will be held the first Sunday every 3 months at 3pm. It will be a very relaxed event. There will be Little Hiccups representatives there to meet and greet but the goal is to allow families to have a bit of family time together and/or meet other families. There will be no planned activities and parent/carers remain responsible for their children. Please also be aware, that we will be in a reserved area, but that the Bianco Lounge is still open to the public. 

Little Hiccups will give ensure there is juice available for the children and every adult will be treated to one free drink on Little Hiccups. Bianco Lounge are generously putting out snacks and nibbles. On booking, please do alert us of any allergies. 

Bianco Lounge is in The White Rose Shopping Centre. There’s a lovely outside terrace running all along the front and the handsome green tiled entrance leads through to our big, light and airy space inside. Among the rich wallpaper, wood panelling and comfy chairs there’s board games, a book swap, toys for the kids, and doggy refreshments – everyone is very welcome!

We look forward to seeing you there for a afternoon of relaxation and fun!

Accessibility
– Wheelchair accessible restroom
– Wheelchair accessible seating
– Changing Place toilets are available in the White Rose Shopping Centre
– Baby changing
– Plenty of parking, including electric spaces and Blue Badge spaces

Bianco Lounge: https://thelounges.co.uk/bianco/
White Rose Shopping Centre: https://www.white-rose.co.uk/en

Bookings open on Jan 5th and close 2 days before the event. 

• 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.

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 are thrilled to share this fantastic, brand-new event from Employment and Skills Leeds! For the first time, three major regional events—the Leeds Digital Careers Fair, Leeds Creative Skills Festival, and the SEND Next Choices Event—are being combined into one ambitious, city-wide careers, jobs, and training fair: Careers In Leeds.

This inclusive event is completely free to attend and open to everyone, offering a refreshed approach to bringing talent and opportunities together across Leeds and the wider region.

What to Expect:

• 🏢 100+ Exhibitors: Talk directly to major employers across a massive range of sectors, including business, digital, creative design, education, engineering, health, care services, finance, law, and many more.

• 📋 Live Vacancies & Guidance: Access information, advice, guidance, and live job vacancies on the day.

• 🎓 Training & Opportunities: Discover the various training pathways and career opportunities available across the city.

Event Details & Quiet Hour:

To ensure the event is accessible to everyone, the first hour has been set aside as a dedicated quiet space.

📅 Date: Tuesday 3rd November 2026

📍 Location: Leeds (Full venue details available at booking)

⏰ Timings:

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Quiet Hour (Exclusively reserved for visitors with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Tickets are limited).

• 1:00pm – 6:00pm: General Admission

🎟️ Cost: Free, but booking is required!

How to Book:

Secure your free ticket and find out more by visiting the Inclusive Growth Leeds website:

🔗 Book Tickets Here: https://www.inclusivegrowthleeds.com/careers-leeds

The Toby Henderson Trust is hosting monthly support group sessions for all parents and carers, regardless of where you live. It’s a welcoming space to connect with other families, share experiences, and receive practical advice around key topics.

📍 Location: Gosforth Civic Theatre, Regent Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3HD

🗓️ Upcoming Sessions (1:30pm – 3:00pm):

• Tuesday 1st September: Self Care and crafts before the return to school (open to parents, children, and young people)

• Tuesday 6th October: Sleep Issues (parents only)

• Tuesday 3rd November: Toileting Issues (parents only)

• Tuesday 8th December: Preparing for Christmas (parents only)

🎟️ Booking Info: Places must be booked in advance to attend.

• Email: admin@ttht.co.uk

• Phone: 0300 365 3055

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

Join Resident Visual Artist on Wednesday afternoons for accessible engaging visual art workshops at Touchbase Pears.

In our accessible studio you will be supported explore visual and tactile art; exploring new tools and techniques and develop your artistic practice. Our workshops are tailored to you, using a person-centred approach that creates space for you to explore and experiment with art in your own way and at your own pace. This Is My Art, our artistic vision written by Artistic Director – Tanya Raabe-Webber, prioritises process over product.

You don’t need to stay for the full session.

Who is it for?

Disabled people with complex needs.

**Please only book a slot for the participating artist. Parents, carers and support staff do not need to book. If you are unable to attend, please email artsandwellbeing@sense.org.uk to cancel your booking. If the workshop is fully booked, please email to be put on the waiting list. **

Access

Tactile art techniques and materials will be used.

A relaxed, welcoming space for all parent carers, whether you’re newly registered, thinking about joining Grace House, or have been with us for a while.

 Learn more about our programmes and support
 Meet other parent carers
 Chat with Vicki and Wendy from our team

Every fortnight on Wednesday
9.30am – 11.30am
Registration is required.

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