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.

The sessions are for all young people 13+ 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,

We provide specialised practical, emotional and social support for asylum seeking and refugee children, families and young people.

Our aim is to provide a specialised and trauma informed service that can be accessed by families or by individual young people. 

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. 

Does your child have a special educational need or disability?

Come to our support group. It’s a friendly place for parents and carers to chat and get advice.

• Get advice from professionals.

• Talk to other parents and carers.

• Share ideas.

This group meets on the first Monday of every month. 

No need to book - just turn up.

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; 

SEN sessions at the Owl Tree Community Nest. Children can run, climb, and explore in the larger hall with a soft play area.  They can also use the sensory room. Included is a reserved table in the main café for families with SEN children. For children aged 0-5, but older children are welcome.

Every other Friday: 1:30pm - 5:00pm

Every other Monday: 10:30am - 2:30pm

No need to book in advance. You can arrive and leave anytime between the times shown.  

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.

Swimming is an essential life skill for everyone. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable and confident in the water.

We offer a variety of swimming lessons tailored for both adults and children, including those with:

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:

TimbaDash Theatre presents 'Timba Time!' at the Alan Shearer Activity Centre.

On the 3rd Sunday of every month we have Timba-Time, a sensory storytelling play space for people with learning disabilities and their families.

It is essential that you ring 0191 267 8118 to book your place. You must be a member at the Alan Shearer Centre to book, but please know that it is free to join.

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':

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 

This is a free service for those who care for children with additional needs. Browse a wide range of suitable, quality and specialist toys.  You can borrow 4 toys for up to 4 weeks.  

For more details on this service please contact us on 0191-2656158 or email admin@napi.org.uk

These sessions are open to families with a pre-school aged (0-5) disabled child.

The children can access all our normal facilities including the:

• soft play

• sensory room

• trampoline hall

• outdoor play garden for free play

11.30am – 12 noon Music and Movement

12.30 – 1.30pm Messy Play

Our Early Years Lead Leanne Johnson-Read is available to chat with parents.

Children must be supervised at all times.

£4 per child (babies under 1 year old are free).

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.

Friday 5-8pm (term-time only)

The Tim Lamb Children's Centre

This youth group is for young adults (18+). The club encourages the young people to socialise.  Take part in age-appropriate activities with supervision from a committed staff team.

Pre-registration and advance booking is essential.

Cost: £8 per session (additional cost for 1:1 support required). Payment in full is due at the beginning of each half-term. The centre can’t offer refunds for missed sessions unless agreed beforehand.

Thursdays 4.30-6.30pm (term-time only)

Tim Lamb Children's Centre 

This is a supervised youth club for teenagers aged 13-17 years.  Activities will focus on social relationships and friendship building.  Teenagers are closely supervised and supported by caring and experienced playworkers.

Pre-registration and advance booking is essential.

Tuesday 4.30-6.30pm (term-time only).

Tim Lamb Children's Centre

This group is a supervised youth club for children aged 8-14 years.  Activities include: 

• arts and crafts

• cookery

• games

• and more

All children are closely supervised and supported by caring and experienced playworkers.

Pre-registration and advance booking for our All In club is essential.

We have been working with the LTA to offer inclusive opportunities for tennis within the club. Our coaches have been on some additional training, and we are pleased to offer a course of SEN tennis sessions for ages 8 - 18.

When it comes to tennis, a learning disability includes conditions such as Down’s Syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

We understand that each person’s learning disability has different symptoms and characteristics, so our expert coaches will tailor each session to suit their client’s needs.

Tovertafel: Magic Table is a fun interactive activity for children and young people.  Different items or objects are projected onto the table.  Users can move their arms and hands to interact with the projection. Scatter leaves and knock a football around on the magic table!

This is an activity for everyone but is often enjoyed by children with autism and learning difficulties.

The magic table is on Level 3 at City Library and free to use but must be booked in advance.

This is an inclusive youth group for young people with physical, sensory, and learning disabilities. There is a focus on having fun in a safe environment. Activities will be related to independent living, life skills and personal relationships.

£3 per person

8-13 Yrs | 5-6PM
14+ Yrs | 6-7.30PM

No need to pre-book.  Just pay at reception.  

Friends Action North East (FANE) support adults with learning disabilities and autism to meet new people and make lasting friendships.

Their services include:

• one to one mentoring programme where adults are supported to develop friendships, learn friendship skills and be more active in their community

• supported social activities

• workshops around friendship and social interaction

Visit their website to find more information: https://www.friendsaction.co.uk/