Contact is the UK charity for families with disabled children. They support families, bring families together and help families take action for others. They give support through:

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.

Step inside an old arcade machine with Player 1 and Player 2, as the audience becomes part of the action in this interactive sensory theatre show from Interplay Theatre Trust.

Featuring 8-bit music and video-game inspired lighting, this multi-sensory experience for young people aged 5+ with learning disabilities, PMLD and/or autism and their families and carers puts the audience at the controls!

Sat 27 Sep, 11.30am & 1.30pm

Tickets from £12

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:

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:

A group for parents and carers of children aged 2 to 5.

This group will help you:

• understand autism

• learn strategies to support your child's development

• focus on play and sensory development

• maintain routines and boundaries

• learn how to support your child with language and social skills 

There are 12 sessions every Thursday starting on 11th September 2025. Sessions will take place at Byker Sands Family Hub.

For more information or to book:

These football sessions are for children and young people with special needs. They help you learn football, get fit, and feel good. The sessions are friendly and supportive, so everyone can join in and have fun.

There are many types of football sessions in Newcastle. They are for people with different needs like:

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:

Relaxed screenings are for children and young people with autism.  They are sensory friendly with reduced sound, dimmed lighting, and no adverts or trailers.  It is okay for guests to move around and make noise during the film.

Autism friendly screenings are offered by most cinemas.  For more information about the these screenings, the cinemas, and how to book, please click on the links below: 

The Toby Henderson Trust (TTHT) is an independently funded charity supporting autistic children, their families and carers.  After 15 years at Whitehouse Farm the trust has recently moved to Toby House, Earth Balance, Bedlington, Northumberland.

We are the one and only charity in the North East focused on life changing early intervention with autistic children (aged 2 to 7). Our service users tell us early intervention can transform the life of a child…

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.

This is a FREE service for parents/carers of children going through the diagnostic process or with a diagnosis of autism.

These groups give support, advice and information on services available to families. Trained autism practitioners will run sessions that aim to:

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).

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:

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. 

Please know that the dates we meet up changes during the summer holidays. 

Beacon Films CIC is a training and production organisation for people with learning disabilities, autism and additional needs.  We have been given multiple awards for our work.

Throughout the year, we offer a variety of filmmaking projects.  There are also some volunteering opportunities on short film commissions. 

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.  

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.

Tuesday 28th October 2025

• 9am to 9.45am - explore the museum

• 9.45am to 10.20am - Relaxed Mouse Tales session 

FREE but booking is required.

Relaxed Mouse Tales is a session aimed at families who may require a quieter environment to enable them to participate. This could include visitors with:

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?

Where Does It Take Place?

At Gosforth Civic Theatre's Café Bar.

Who Is It For? 

Young people with learning disabilities and autism aged between 16-24 years old 

How Does It Work? 

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?

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.

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':