The Access Fund is a grant scheme. It can help children and young people with educational needs and/or disabilities take part in activities within their community alongside their non-disabled peers. It can help with the cost of taking part in local activities. This may include but is not limited to sporting, performing arts, or recreational activities.

Who is eligible to apply? 

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.

Lennox is a seven bed unit providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for young people aged 12-18 with complex mild to moderate learning disability and a requirement of a high level of supervision in a medium secure environment.

Referrals are accepted from specialist mental health teams regionally, nationally and internationally. Informal enquiries are welcomed and advice can be given by telephone prior to referrals.

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.

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; 

Youth Link Newcastle is for young people living with a disability or additional needs. It matches young people to a peer mentor.  They can help with working towards a goal and overcoming challenges. 

The service is available to young people living in a Newcastle Postcode, aged from 11 to 18.

Some examples of how a peer mentor could help you include:

Provides dental care for pre-school children, school children, those with special needs, learning disabilities, medical problems or severe anxiety and any other clients who are unable to find a dentist.  

Clinics are available at Arthur's Hill Clinic (check website), Kenton Health Centre, Molineux Street NHS Centre and Walker Centre. You can contact the service directly.

The community dental department provides a full range of dental treatment for patients who are residents of Newcastle and who fit one or more of the following criteria:

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.  

Fun sport and friendly boccia session for SEND/disabled children and adults. Our boccia session is suitable for beginners to experienced players. A great opportunity to learn the game, improve your skills as well as meeting new people and socialise.

Each session costs £3 

To book click here: What’s On – Smile Through Sport

For more information, please call or email.  

The Thursday Club is for people over 18 years old with disabilities. It helps people make friends. Each week, there is a fun activity to learn new skills and feel good.

The club is very popular so there is now a waiting list. If you want to join or find more about it, please email: hannah@smileforlife.org.uk.

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) 

• Summer holiday activities 

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

Cambian Dilston College is an independent specialist provider of further education in North East England, offering day and up to 52-week residential placements for young people with a learning disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and complex needs.

Arcadea are running fun and creative summer camps. These are for disabled and autistic young people aged 16 to 25

Radio Camp

Come and learn the art of radio!

• Wednesday 30th July 2025 - 10am to 3pm

• Wednesday 6th August 2025 - 10am to 3pm

Art Camp

Develop your art practice!

• Wednesday 13th August 2025 - 10am to 3pm

• Wednesday 20th August 2025 - 10am to 3pm

GriffinOT helps children to achieve their full potential by equipping the adults around them with the tools they need to help.  This includes supporting educators, parents, and other professionals.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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