Events

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

🌳 Picnic at TCV Skelton Grange

We are so excited to bring Little Hiccups to the great outdoors! To ensure a safe, welcoming, and “hiccup-friendly” environment, please follow these guidelines.

♿ Accessibility & Facilities

We strive to make our outdoor sessions as inclusive as possible:

Toilets: There is a standard disabled toilet on-site. Please note there is no dedicated Changing Places facility; however, we provide mats for nappy changes and floor-based changing if required.
The Terrain: Skelton Grange is a natural woodland site. Most paths are accessible but remain uneven. Please take extra care at the “Hobbit House,” which has a raised door lip that may require assistance for wheelchair users.
Sensory Support: TCV is near a Yorkshire Water site which can occasionally be loud. We provide noise-cancelling headphones if this becomes distressing, and there is plenty of open space for quiet regulation.

🏎️ Parking & Access

Priority Parking: The car park immediately next to the Hobbit House is strictly reserved for families with mobility needs or children who are a high flight risk.
General Parking: All other families are asked to park along the entrance road to keep the main activity area safe and clear.
Vigilance: While there is a gate to the road, please remain alert as children can be prone to wandering in open spaces.

🍎 Hygiene, Health & Allergies

Allergy Safety: To keep everyone safe, please do not bring your own food/snacks. Little Hiccups provides allergy-safe snacks based on the information you provide at booking.
Bees: There are active beehives located next door. We recommend avoiding open sugary drinks. If your child has a known bee sting allergy, please ensure you bring your EpiPen and alert a staff member.
Pica Awareness: Nature is for looking, not tasting! We operate a “No Pick, No Lick” rule. Please supervise children closely to ensure they do not ingest berries, fungi, or stones.
Sickness: Do not attend if your child has had a fever in the last 24 hours or diarrhoea/vomiting in the last 48 hours.

👶 Age & Supervision

Target Age: This event is aimed at the whole family.
Your Responsibility: Little Hiccups staff are here to facilitate the session, but they are not responsible for individual supervision. Parents and carers must supervise their children at all times.

🧥 Weather & Safety

Clothing: We play in most conditions! Please wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear and suitable outdoor clothing.
Hot Drinks: For safety, hot drinks are prepared by the team in the kitchen (no children allowed) and must be consumed in sealed travel mugs.

By booking, you agree to follow these rules to keep our community safe and happy!

Book here: https://www.littlehiccups.co.uk/events/picnic-at-tcv-skelton-2026-07-20/

The Sensory Place has an incredible lineup of activities planned for Weeks 3 to 6 of the summer holidays! From alpaca visits and surfing to forest school, soft play, and exclusive swimming hires, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Check out the weekly schedules below for dates, times, and activities:

🦙 Week 3 (7th – 9th August): Includes indoor rockpooling, Train Master, exclusive swimming in Washington, Battlekarts, and Anvil Alpaca visits!

🐴 Week 4 (10th – 16th August): Featuring pond dipping at Washington Wildfowl Park, forest school, horse riding, soft play, and gymnastics.

🌊 Week 5 (17th – 21st August): Highlights include York Maze, surfing at South Shields, Moana workshop, Arcade Warehouse, and felt making. 🐐 Week 6 (24th – 29th August): Pygmy goat experiences, summer disco, den building, Supertramps, and much more!

📩 To book or find out more information, drop an email to: Hello@thesensoryplace.net

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

Once upon a time (not in a theatre, but in a home just like yours), a show came to visit. It didn’t need a big stage or bright lights, just a family ready for a sensory adventure… 🌈
We’re delighted to announce that InSideWays will head out on its second tour from May – August.

Described by audiences as “exciting and playful” with “a lot of love and care behind it”, InSideWays is an accessible At Home sensory show created with families, for families – and it’s delivered to your door!

Tour dates
Estimated drop off and pick up dates

Suffolk: Monday 1 June – Friday 12 June

Dorset: Monday 22 June – Tuesday 7 July

Gwent and Glamorgan: Wednesday 24 June – Thursday 8 July

Cheshire: Monday 20 July – Tuesday 4 August

East Yorkshire: Wednesday 22 July – Thursday 6 August

Kent: Sunday 16 August – Friday 28 August

Wandsworth: Tuesday 18 August – Monday 31 August

Book Now

We know it’s not every day that a whole show comes to your house, so we’ve answered some frequently asked questions here. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, just reply to this email, we’re always happy to help.

There are only a few spaces in each area, so early booking is the best way to secure your spot.

Until next time,
Flossie and the Oily Cart team

Looking for inclusive, accessible, and fun activities over the summer holidays? ⚽🎾🚴‍♂️

Smile Through Sport is offering an amazing lineup of summer activities for children, young people, and adults with SEND running from 20th July through 30th August 2026.

Whether you’re looking for frame running, wheelchair sports, boccia, adapted cycling, or outdoor games in National Trust settings, there’s something for everyone!

🌟 Junior Programme Highlights (Ages 4+)

Outdoor Games: Gibside & Crook Hall / Souter Lighthouse (FREE)
Multi-Sport: Cramlington, Sunderland, Hexham & Newcastle
Athletics & Frame Running: Gateshead International Stadium
Wheelchair Basketball & Tennis: Birtley Leisure Centre
Fun Sessions (Soft Play & Sensory Room): Cedars Academy, Gateshead

🌟 Adult Programme Highlights (Ages 18+)

Adapted Cycling: Newburn Activity Centre, Newcastle
Outdoor Games: Gibside National Trust & Souter Lighthouse
Multi-Sport: Wallsend, Hexham & Newcastle
Boccia: Cramlington & North Tyneside

📲 How to Book:

Spaces must be booked in advance! Visit their website or contact the team directly:

👉 Website: www.smilethroughsport.com/whats-on/

📞 Phone: 07934 227 276

📧 Email: info@smilethroughsport.com

#InclusiveSports #DisabilityActivities #SmileThroughSport #SENDSupport #Summer2026

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

Looking for brilliant, accessible events to keep the kids entertained over the summer holidays? Our friends at Square Peg Activities have an unbelievable lineup of themed sessions and day trips planned right through to late August!

From Nerf battles and pizza making to day trips, sensory sessions, and art workshops, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. 🎨🍕🦁

Key Details:

🗓️ When: Running throughout July and August 2026
📍 Location: 37-39 Gate Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B73 5TR
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who: Designed for disabled children and their siblings (Please note: Adults must stay on site)
🥪 Extras: Lunch is served at all in-house events! Plus, the Gaming Room, Youth Den, Sensory Room, and Gardens are open during sessions unless stated.

🎟️ Info & Booking: Spaces go quickly, so be sure to secure your spots online!

Book directly here: https://squarepegcharity.simplybook.it/v2/?fbclid=IwY2xjawG6eXlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHU_2Bi8a0hE7CPqs-vQi_YOik5KvX1eTKxPgcFB0snumTzF0Q7ULYR-vTw_aem_r6FW00ubs-TbCyEjT-D7ag#book

Or visit: https://www.squarepegactivities.org/events

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.

TPT’s Education Team is excited to introduce STEP into Technology – a new series of online sessions for blind and partially sighted students focused on helping them get the most from the technology they use every day.

Whether you’re preparing for college, sixth form or university, or simply a student looking to build your confidence with technology, these sessions will introduce practical tools and accessibility features that can support you both in education and everyday life. Along the way, you’ll hear directly from blind and partially sighted students who will share their experiences, tips and favourite technology.

All sessions are online and free to attend. Our first session is on the 4th of August. To find out more and to register: Student Transitions – Thomas Pocklington Trust’

The Sensory Place has an incredible lineup of activities planned for Weeks 3 to 6 of the summer holidays! From alpaca visits and surfing to forest school, soft play, and exclusive swimming hires, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Check out the weekly schedules below for dates, times, and activities:

🦙 Week 3 (7th – 9th August): Includes indoor rockpooling, Train Master, exclusive swimming in Washington, Battlekarts, and Anvil Alpaca visits!

🐴 Week 4 (10th – 16th August): Featuring pond dipping at Washington Wildfowl Park, forest school, horse riding, soft play, and gymnastics.

🌊 Week 5 (17th – 21st August): Highlights include York Maze, surfing at South Shields, Moana workshop, Arcade Warehouse, and felt making. 🐐 Week 6 (24th – 29th August): Pygmy goat experiences, summer disco, den building, Supertramps, and much more!

📩 To book or find out more information, drop an email to: Hello@thesensoryplace.net

We are pleased to share this new resource from Useful Vision and Healthworks.

Launching this August, this is a free toy and resource lending service tailored specifically for families who have a child with a visual impairment. The service is designed to give families access to excellent sensory toys, developmental resources, and play items without the cost.

Come along to the official launch at The Lemington Centre to find out more, meet the team, and take a look at the brilliant resources available to borrow.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday 18th August 2026
Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Cost: Free
Location: The Lemington Centre
Organisers: Useful Vision and Healthworks (supported by NAPI and Children & Families Newcastle)

How to Book

Pre-booking is required for this launch event. Please contact the organisers directly to secure your place:

Email: usefulvision@hwn.org.uk

Please note: This event is hosted and run by Useful Vision and Healthworks. It is shared on our website on behalf of our network partners.

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/