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.

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.

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.

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. 

Family Advice and Support Team at Skills for People

Services Offered:

Skills for People helps disabled children and adults and their families to be in control and to have better lives. We also work with children with special educational needs.

We offer help with planning, meeting other disabled people and their families, advocacy, advocacy groups, social activities, self help meetings and individual development. We work with people who have an individual budget and those who do not.

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:

Children North East exists because growing up can be hard. We want all babies, children and young people to be happy and healthy and to grow up feeling: 

• Safe and loved

• Resilient to the challenges they may face

• Valued and confident  

We have a strong children’s rights ethos and believe that real social change is achieved when those who are, or have, experienced issues lead the change.  

Inclusion North promotes the inclusion of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers.

The world is a better place when people with learning disabilities are included in everything.

We try to make this happen by:

Down-to-earth parenting advice you can trust for parents and carers of children 0-19years (or up to 25years with SEND/ALN)

We’re here for you, when you need us. Find answers to parenting questions in our advice articles. Or talk to a parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you. It’s all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing

The Access Fund is a grant to help disabled children and young people to participate in activities in their local community.  This can be any daytime, evening or weekend activity that the child or young person enjoys whilst their parent/carer has a break from caring.   The Access Fund seeks to support children and young people to take part in inclusive activities alongside their non- disabled peers.

We work in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all our services support people to live life as they choose.

Our work includes:

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.

Education and Services for People with Autism Limited is a Registered Charity with over 24 years’ experience of supporting people on the autism spectrum.

ESPA’s services include:

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:

St Cuthberts Care is a leading North East charity providing specialised services for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. Our work is often focused on providing services which fill the gaps left by other providers who find our areas of work unattractive or too high risk. We focus largely on:

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. 

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:

JK Educate supports children’s learning: effective tutoring from primary school to university, entrance exam preparations and academic assessments.The consultancy now operates to support families across London and further afield, including advising families moving into the UK education system from overseas and providing tutoring support for everything from 7+ entrance exams, SEN and to undergraduate studies.

Situated within the Alan Shearer Centre, our specialist home offers residential accommodation for adults with profound and multiple disabilities, offering longer term, safe and nurturing care and support. In addition, our disabled residents have full access to the on-site Activity Centre.

If you would like to see our facilities, meet the staff and discuss your individual needs, Sarah will be happy to arrange a visit. You can also speak to Sarah if you would like to enquire about a place or find out details on the referral process and the criteria for admission.

A parent and toddler group is a welcoming and friendly group of adults. This includes mothers, fathers, childminders or carers.

They all come together in their own community with their children who are under the age of 5.  This group has experience welcoming children and carers who have a disability or special need.

A parent and toddler group is a welcoming and friendly group of adults. This includes mothers, fathers, childminders or carers.

They all come together in their own community with their children who are under the age of 5, including those with special needs.  

Parent and toddler groups offer play opportunities for children from birth to 5 year old, as well as an opportunity to mix with others. They also offer support to adults and a break from the normal routines of the day. 

We provide supported work placements to people who have learning difficulties, mental health problems, or both. We aim to empower people with the skills and experience that only real working environments can give:

• team working

• social interaction

• access to training opportunities

Our voluntary placements help to increase self confidence in the work place and beyond, improve self esteem and reduce social isolation.

The FAB (Fantastic and Brilliant) Group is a group of young people aged 11 to 25 who have SEND. 

Every month, the FAB Group come together to make friends and share experiences.

Learn more on our website: https://children-ne.org.uk/fab-group/ 

We believe in the importance of a support network of people who understand.