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:

The Newcastle Community Team for Learning Disabilities is based at Benton House in Newcastle.

The Adult team provides specialist assessment and treatment to people aged 18 years and over with a learning disability and additional health needs, where the person’s needs are complex and require an integrated approach to care and treatment that cannot be met through mainstream services.

Outreach clinic to provide people with a learning disability who have offended or show offending type behaviour(s), and those involved in caring for them the opportunity to seek advice and support on managing day to day forensic issues.

Areas covered: Cumbria, Sunderland and Newcastle

How to get referred:

Referrals must be made through local community nursing teams for each locality.

The team will work with children/young people between the ages of 4-18 with a learning disability and or Autism Spectrum Disorder where their behaviour that challenges occurs as a result of the young person having limited abilities to communicate distress, and get their needs met in other more adaptive ways.

How to refer:

All referrals must come from a Community CYPS team; it is essential that a care co-ordinator is identified. Consultation clinics are held monthly in each locality where potential referrals can be taken to be discussed.

The Secure Outreach Transition Team (SOTT), provides assessment, intervention, treatment, management and supervision for service users with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder who are:
• Currently in secure care
• In the community following discharge from a period of secure care
• In the community having been referred due to offences or offending behaviour that represents a risk to the general public and who potentially may require admission to secure care.

We are one of the UK’s leading providers of mental health services who work both privately and with the NHS to help people and families experiencing mental and emotional difficulties to get better.

Get professional support from the UK's leading mental health, autism, and ADHD service.

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.

Ambitious about Autism has a rapidly growing online Ambitious Youth Network to enable more autistic young people to have their voices heard. Through the network, autistic young people between the ages of 16 to 25 can share experiences, connect with others, have their say on Ambitious about Autism’s projects as well as access a range of opportunities to advocate and improve services for autistic young people.  

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.

For parents/carers of children who are on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of Autism. Children must be living in Newcastle.

Supporting your autistic child workshop

These sessions will cover:

• worries and action planning

• common misconceptions

• differences in autistic children

• practical strategies to use in everyday life

We have the following dates available:

For parents/carers of children who are on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of Autism. Children must be living in Newcastle.

Supporting your autistic child workshop

These sessions will cover:

• worries and action planning

• common misconceptions

• differences in autistic children

• practical strategies to use in everyday life

These sessions will run 10-12 and must be pre-booked.

For parents/carers of children who are on the diagnostic pathway or post diagnosis of Autism.

Children must be living in Newcastle.

Supporting your autistic child workshop

These sessions will cover:

• worries and action planning

• common misconceptions

• differences in autistic children

• practical strategies to use in everyday life

These sessions will run 10-12 and must be pre-booked.

Are you a neurodivergent young person aged 16-25 who could benefit from a mentor to support you with the skills for employment? 

The Neurodiversity Employability Project works with neurodivergent young people, whether you have a formal diagnosis or self-identify. We match young people across Tyne and Wear with mentors who can help you:

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: 

Drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm on the first Wednesday of each month. 

There is a different topic each month. However, you can talk with us about any other sexual health and relationships topics.

There is no cost.  Free Condoms and sexually transmitted infection (STI) test kits are available at all sessions!

For more information, please get in touch via email or phone.

You can also visit our Facebook page for information about all our groups. 

These workshops cover a wide range of topics. Come along if you would like to learn more about sex and relationships.

Each workshop is from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. To find out when our next workshop dates are, visit our Facebook page. 

Free Condoms and sexually transmitted infection (STI) test kits are available at all sessions!

Please email or call if you would like to attend.

Enjoy early access to the Great North Museum: Hancock for a quieter, more relaxed experience.

This relaxed session is for visitors with:

Do you have an autistic child (with or without diagnosis) and need support? Do you live in Newcastle?

As part of the Autism Central programme, Daisy Chain provides a range of in-person learning workshops. These cover many different topics to help support individuals and families.

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?

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?

Come along to our group. It is for adults (18+) with a learning disability and autistic people. 

Our group is a safe space to chat about men's issues and meet new people. 

We meet every 2 weeks. Visit the Skills for People Facebook Group for exact dates. 

Call the below number to let us know you are coming along. 

We have a fantastic range of activities planned this summer ☀️

The Tim Lamb Centre is a specialist play and leisure facility for children with disabilities / additional needs and their siblings.  Please bring evidence of your child's disability/ additional needs with you on your first visit. We are open 10-4pm every day during the school holidays.

*Family membership is available to any family who has a child with disabilities/ additional needs.

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. 

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. 

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.