What is Makaton?

Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate.

It supports the development of essential communication skills such as:

• Attention and Listening
• Comprehension
• Memory
• Recall and Organisation of Language
• Expression.

It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech, in spoken word order.

These sessions are open to families with a disabled child/young person (and siblings).  During these sessions, families can use our:

• soft play area

• sensory room

• trampoline hall

• outdoor play garden

• and more!

On a Wednesday Evening (term time), we run an arts and craft session ‘Get Crafty’ with a playworker leading the activity.

We are a small team of massage therapists We specialise in massage therapy for individuals with Special Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). We work with all ages 3 years old+. 

What do we offer?

Free, drop in

Bring your little ones and rest with light-up orbs and cubes, large soft shapes, matting and a sofa to relax on.

Take a pause. Your little one can enjoy:

The Sensory Shuttle is a mobile sensory room. It provides a safe space to regulate - direct to your door!

Every visit includes advice/support for parents and carers.

Why book the Sensory Shuttle? 

• Suitable for parties, public events and private hire across North East England

• Wheelchair accessible

• Direct to your door - ideal for those with anxiety

What's inside the Sensory Shuttle?

The Tree House Early Years Centre provides a range of Educational, Social, Therapeutic and Health activities / services for children aged 0-5 with SEND, and their families.

The centre was officially opened by councillor Lesley Storey in September 2023. The following video showcases the opening of the Centre and highlights some of facilities and activities available for children and their families.

Run by the NSPCC, Childline is a free, private and confidential service where children and young people under the age of 19.  This includes those with additional needs or disabilities.  You can talk to a counsellor about any issue they’re facing.

Online, on the phone, anytime.

ICEbox is a youth club for young disabled people aged 16-25.  It is ran by professional artists and support staff at the studio on Mosley Street.  

Every Wednesday: 6.30pm-8.45pm

Each session costs £5.  You can attend on a pay as you go basis. 

Easy Health has over 390 health guides with pictures and simple words. These guides help people who find reading hard to understand health information better.  It can help people with learning disabilities. 

Browse and borrow a wide range of toys for children (0-5) with special educational needs. These can help with your child's learning and development. Toys can be borrowed for up to 4 weeks.  

The library is open Monday to Friday during term time.

Come to the Tree House Early Year's Centre (map below).  

For more information, you can call 0191 278 8458 or email treehouseenquiries@newcastle.gov.uk 

For children and young people with SEND aged 14 to 24 years old

Join us for an action-packed summer school where there is something new to try each day; sign up and you can enjoy sports, gaming, dance, film, and crafts with dedicated arts professionals to help you learn new skills. The week ends with 'Fun day Friday' featuring a film screening of your choice.  We invite you to takeover GCT with your energy and enthusiasm.

Monday 18 - Friday 22 August, 2025. 10am - 3pm

Join us for inclusive sessions of dance, movement, and aerial at Dance City, held two Sundays per month. 

This group is inclusive and has just 10 places so that we can welcome all abilities and needs. Pre booking recommended and Under 5s are welcome but a parent/guardian must be present.

Each session costs £8.75 or £7 for Accessible Price (click here to learn more Pricing - Dance City)

To book, go to the relevant page and click 'Book Now':

West End Women and Girls Centre is the first and only open access, community based women and girls centre in Newcastle, we aim to build the power of women and girls, who have been and continue to be disenfranchised. We seek to drive positive change in the world, our community and in women and girls lives.

We do this through group work where women and girls have the opportunity to meet, have fun, learn skills, look at issues relevant their lives and generally build confidence in a safe and supportive environment.

Northern Stage is a theatre in Newcastle City Centre, very close to Haymarket. You can enjoy plays, dance, comedy and musicals on all of our three stages.

We have family shows throughout the year and at Christmas we have two magical shows one for under 5s and one for over 5s. 

Monday 29th September 2025 at 11am

Using Makaton, music, movement and play to bring stories to life!

Our specially designed sessions offer a relaxed and inclusive space for young children and their grown-ups to explore stories. 

Suggested donation £5 but free funded places available!

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.

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:

These inclusive music sessions are:

• Free

• Interactive

• In person

• For young people aged 12 to 18

Using music tech, this session will suit both a complete beginner or knowledgeable musician.

The sessions are for all young people aged 11 - 16 years and ran by qualified and experienced youth and community workers, we are passionate about listening to the voice of young people to support them to achieve their goals.

Our activities include,

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:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a… MOUSE! 

Join Mouse on a daring Christmas Eve mission to deliver a present in a captivating festive tail told with original music, puppets and lots of opportunity to squeak along and join in!

🎉 Summer Holiday Club! 🎉
📍 Where? St Hughs Church, Gosforth, NE3 3HS
📅 When? Every Wednesday 10-1pm during the summer holidays
🍕 What? 

Each week is a different fun activity including; cooking, baking, pool table, foosball, video games, board/card games, arts & crafts, balloon modelling and much more.

Our Holiday Clubs are for children aged 7-15 with SEND however a diagnosis is not required and siblings are welcome too! £12 per child.
Sessions will be led by Natalie at Mochii and are supported by the Kings Trust ✨ 

Company of Others is a dance theatre company based in the North East of England, led by Artistic Director and Choreographer Nadia Iftkhar.

We empower those who have experienced Othering to share their stories through dance theatre experiences. Together, we spotlight diverse human experiences, challenge systems of oppression, and seek to inspire change. 

Sporting Chance is a local community organisation. We aim to overcome some of the barriers young people may face and we strive to provide a holistic service to all our members.