Meet and Connect gives you a chance to learn. Previous sessions have looked at: 

• Digital skills

• Mental health

• Racism 

We also have picnics together when the weather is nice. 

Want to find out when the next Meet and Connect sessions are? Then look through our monthly Groups Newsletters posted on our Skills for People Facebook Page.

Sunday 17th August 2025 

Join us for a disco and food! For adults (18+) with learning disabilities and/or autism. 

Let us know you are coming by calling 0191 281 8737 or emailing information@skillsforpeople.org.uk.

You can also walk with us from Central Station to The Globe. Just let us know. 

Come along for a free lunch and chat with others. We offer a selection of sarnies, crisps, fruit and biscuits.

Food served from 12pm. 

For people aged 18+ with learning disabilities or autism. 

Want to find out our next date? Then look for our monthly Groups Newsletters posted on our Skills for People Facebook Page.

If interested in joining us, please call 0191 281 8737 or email information@skillsforpeople.org.uk. 

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:

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. 

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:

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:

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:

Pathways to Working Life

This pathway is for young people with a learning disability and/or difficulty who would like to develop their skills and progress into employment whilst working on core skills such as maths and English along with employment skills. The course will help you with your personal social and economic welfare, and you will receive pastoral support to help you fulfil your aspirations and reach your goals.

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. 

Molehill Mountain is an app to help autistic people understand and self-manage anxiety.

You can use Molehill Mountain to explore the causes and symptoms of anxiety.

• Track your worries and the situations that trigger anxiety.

• Get evidence-based daily tips to understand more about anxiety.

• Feel more confident to self-manage anxiety.

It was developed by Autistica and King's College London.  Adults with autism were consulted throughout the development of the app.

Tuesday 5th August 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm
Tuesday 2nd September 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm
Tuesday 7th October 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm
Tuesday 4th November 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm
Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 1.30pm to 3pm

We can support you if your child (aged 5 to 11) are waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment.

We are running Monthly Cuppa and Cake Parent Support drop-ins for parents and carers both in Metrocentre Community Hub in Gateshead and Gosforth Civic Centre.

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. 

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.

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? 

Join us to be in nature, as we learn outdoor and gardening skills at the community allotment in Byker. 

Plans can change at short notice due to the weather. 

For people aged 18+ with learning disabilities or autism.

Look at our monthly Groups Newsletters posted on our Skills for People Facebook Page for more details. 

If interested in joining us, please call 0191 281 8737 or email information@skillsforpeople.org.uk. 

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: 

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.

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.

Come along on our gentle and friendly walks. We enjoy walking together in many different places. 

For people aged 18+ with learning disabilities or autism. 

Want to find out when and where our next walks are happening? Then look for our monthly Groups Newsletters posted on our Skills for People Facebook Page.

If interested in joining us, please call 0191 281 8737 or email information@skillsforpeople.org.uk. 

Come along on our gentle, social walks. We enjoy walking together in many different places. New people are always welcome. 

For people aged 18+ with learning disabilities or autism.

Want to find out when and where our next walks are happening? Then look for our monthly Groups Newsletters posted on our Skills for People Facebook Page.

If interested in joining us, please call 0191 281 8737 or email information@skillsforpeople.org.uk.