Pathways 4 All is a parent-led charity, providing leisure services for children and young people with disabilities/ additional needs (0-25 years old). Our primary service is a specialist play and activity provision, the Tim Lamb Centre (in the grounds of the Rising Sun County Park, Benton). Our centre is open to families from across the North East region.

Molehill Mountain is an app to help autistic people understand and self-manage anxiety.

You can use Molehill Mountain to explore the causes and symptoms of anxiety.

• Track your worries and the situations that trigger anxiety.

• Get evidence-based daily tips to understand more about anxiety.

• Feel more confident to self-manage anxiety.

It was developed by Autistica and King's College London.  Adults with autism were consulted throughout the development of the app.

A group for women in the North East (18+) with learning disabilities and/or autism.  Make new friends, do new things and feel safe whilst doing so.  Anyone who identifies as a women is welcome.  

Trips out, coffee morning, pamper sessions and MORE.

There is no cost to attend the group.  On days where there are entry fees, ticket costs, or food and drinks, group members much pay for themselves.  

Email andrea.mullen@skillsforpeople.org.uk or call 0191 281 8737 to learn more. 

Geordie Mums is a self-advocacy, social and supportive group for Mums with a learning disability and autistic Mums.

The group meets once a month, on a Wednesday morning.

The group always welcomes new members. To find out more, or to talk about joining the group, please get in touch by phone or email. 

Help and Connect is a service offered by Skills for People.

If you live in Newcastle upon Tyne and are aged 16 or over, our Help and Connect team can help you to get your support right and to make the most of what’s going on in your area.

What does Help and Connect offer?

Our team will help you make the most of the information we have. You can find out about:

A safe and welcoming group for autistic people to connect with each other.  

Please ring the office on 0191 281 8737 and let us know if you would like to come. 

For more information you can email emily.walsh@skillsforpeople.org.uk 

Here at The King’s Trust, we offer various programmes aiming to get young people between the ages of 11 and 30 into education, training or employment. We do this by delivering programmes based around building confidence, employability and wellbeing skills. We offer work experience programmes as well as employment opportunities. We also have free funding and build your own business programmes. Wherever you’re at in your journey to getting into education or employment, we’re here to listen and we’re here to help!

We are kind and caring and offer:

Free tandem or tag-along bike to anyone with a disability or additional need.

What we do:

We lend, at no cost (i.e. for free), tandems and tag-alongs to (and only to) people with disabilities or additional needs, who are unable to ride a bike safely on their own, so that they can enjoy the wonders of cycling.

What you need to do:

Based in Stockton, Sunderland and Newcastle, the College provides day and residential education for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). Students come from across the country to access this specialist provision that enables them to achieve their personal ambitions.

The majority of our students have additional and complex needs including learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health conditions, behaviours that challenge and sensory issues.

Inspired Support helps people with learning difficulties or autism.  They aim to help develop talents, social skills, life skills, and more. There is a particular focus on the needs and wants of the individual and having fun.  Sessions are led by local professionals and can focus on:

Dimensions helps people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs live fulfilling lives in their communities. They offer personalized support to give individuals more voice, choice, and control. With 7,000 staff, Dimensions works with families and those they support to improve services. Their goal is to empower people to lead happy, ordinary lives.

Through our person-centred approach we support:

The Alan Shearer Short Break Centre offers specialised breaks, from overnight to longer stays, for children and adults with a range of disabilities.

Our dedicated staff are trained in caring for people with profound and multiple disabilities, autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

We offer skilled and experienced support for those with additional health or medical needs and those who require specialist care.

Are you aged 18-25 and looking after someone who needs help and support? 

If you are caring for someone who cannot manage without your support and you're not employed to do this, then you are a young adult carer. Anyone can become a carer at any point in their life. We're here to listen and support you.

Masquer-Aid is a programme for young people aged 11-25 who have recently found out they are neurodivergent or are waiting for a diagnosis. They will take part in a 12-week programme where they learn about what it means to be neurodivergent and talk about shared experiences.

Newcastle and Gateshead Step Up Hub service is for men and women over the age of 18 years who need some specialist support to live in the community.

The CAN project helps 16-25 year olds from Newcastle and Gateshead who may require support to transition into adulthood or make steps towards improving their confidence and reducing isolation. CAN aim to support young adults to overcome any barriers affecting them to move forward in their lives.

A mentor programme with a difference, it connects them with someone who can provide assistance tailored to their needs and ambitions. In the past, the programme has helped young people to:

The Hub offers places to disabled and autistic adults, including school/college leavers. Sessions are led by experienced support workers and professional artists.  

Explore drawing and painting, sculpture, textiles, media, printmaking, drama and movement. Activities are designed to develop personal creativity and improve art and craft skills. There is also focus on collaboration, communication and wellbeing.

This is a warm, caring and kind place to be because:

Vinspired.com provides inspiring high quality volunteering opportunities to gain new experiences and skills for life for 14 - 30 year olds.

The Vinspired.com platform offers you the chance to:

Looking for support to get into paid employment? 
Looking for real hands-on work experience and more career opportunities? 
Motivated to get work experience to find a paid job?

NHS England Choices College is a national specialist college. We provide employment support for young adults aged 16-24 with learning disabilities/difficulties and/or Autism. 

Our person-centred approach ensures support is tailored to meet each learner’s needs. Placements are found based on the learners' skills and interests.

Cooking, Healthy Eating, Fitness & Fun

A range of activities will be on offer these will include cooking, physical activities, enrichment activities such as arts & crafts and fun, engaging ways to learn about food and nutrition.

This is a warm, caring and kind place because:

• We have a quiet/calm space for young people to chill out in.
• Activities can be adapted if needed
• We can offer peer support if required
• Parents/carers can contact staff to discuss individual needs. 

We believe the big screen experience should be accessible to everyone.  We aim to make a warm, inviting space for all to discover the joy of cinema. Our relaxed screenings are open to all, but are particularly mindful of neurodiverse audiences. 

All screenings will feature:

The North East Autism Society run a Family Networking Group, a closed group on Facebook which aims to empower, educate and connect parents, families and carers by: 

• Increasing knowledge

• Sharing useful information 

• Connecting people   

You can find out more here: Family Networking - North East Autism Society

We are a North East based disability sport charity. We offer many sport sessions for people with special educational needs or disabilities, including:

• SEND Activity Sessions (8-19 years old)

• Adult Adapted Cycling Session

• Adult Sport and Social Session

• Boccia Session (all ages) 

• And more! 

To find and book a session, click here: What’s On – Smile Through Sport

The Care Farming Programme is for adults with learning disabilities, difficulties and autism.  Learn new skills and gain confidence. Work as part of a team in Ouseburn Farm's farmyard, gardens or visitor centre.  

Ouseburn Farm has the following placements: 

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company provides accessible opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people to express themselves creatively, and to develop their skills, confidence, independence and social connections.

Our weekly Performing Arts and Music academies are for people with Learning disabilities and autistic people, aged 16 and over.

Whether you want to  DJ at our club night, act on stage, or perform in a live band, our Academies can help you to achieve your goals.