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.

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:

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:

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.

CIC providing support to young people at risk of criminal exploitation (ages 14-25)

This is a warm, caring and kind place because:

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:

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.

East End Pool has inclusive swimming sessions.  These are for people with sensory needs or disabilities. 

There is a Disability changing room/shower and also a pool hoist for easy access into the pool.  We also offer changing facilities for young people with continence issues.

To find dates and times for these sessions, you can use the Better UK app or check the timetable on the website Pool Timetable at East End Pool | Better.  

Gosforth Civic Theatre is an arts venue, café and community hub in Gosforth, and is home to, and run by, Liberdade Community Development Trust.

We opened Gosforth Civic Theatre in 2016, and in 2019 we hosted more than 900 events and activities, and invited over 50,000 people through our doors. In the words of Ozzy, one of our founding members, we opened the theatre because; 

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. 

A dedicated trampoline session for customers with special educational needs and disabilities. These sessions will not be available for the general public. Trampoline socks must be worn. 

Thursdays: 3:00pm-6:00pm

Tickets can be booked online https://bookings.better.org.uk/location/newcastle-trampoline-gym/trampoline-park or by contacting the centre directly.

Each paying ticket admits one carer free of charge.

Explore the science centre with fewer visitors, less noise, and enjoy relaxed performances in our planetarium and Science Theatre. Lighting and sound levels will be altered where possible to accommodate those with sensory needs. For example, hand-dryers in toilets will be turned off for the duration of the session.

Relaxed Sunday Sessions run from 10:00am - 12:00pm. You are welcome to stay after this time if you wish, but please note that our traditional programme, lighting, and sound levels will gradually resume from 12:00pm.

To support your visit you can:

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.