In April 2022, Havannah First School was created when Broadway East First School relocated to Newcastle Great Park and changed its name to reflect the new location. This move has been planned for a long time and we are delighted to now be in our wonderful, state of the art brand new school and grounds. We are still part of the Gosforth Schools' Trust and are part of the Gosforth three tier Pyramid.

The North East Autism Society run a Family Networking Group, a closed group on Facebook which aims to empower, educate and connect parents, families and carers by: 

• Increasing knowledge

• Sharing useful information 

• Connecting people   

You can find out more here: Family Networking - North East Autism Society

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) 

• And more! 

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

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.

Kalmer Counselling are commissioned by Children and Young Peoples Service (CYPS) to provide counselling to children and young people with a learning disability or learning difficulty.

We also work with those who are awaiting a neurodevelopmental assessment.

Click here to download and read a copy of our flyer that explains the process.
 

EarlyBird is a course for parents who have a child under 5 with a diagnosis of autism. It is a 10-week course consisting of 8 face to face group sessions and 2 home visits.

The programme aims to support parents post diagnosis and establish good practice in supporting their child at an early age.

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.

Café Beam @ Gosforth provides work placements for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, helping them gain valuable work and life skills.

What is Café Beam?
Café Beam is a place where young people can learn to work in a café environment. They help prepare food, serve customers, handle money, and more. The café serves delicious, home-cooked food using fresh, local ingredients from Ouseburn Farm.

Benefits of Joining

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; 

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

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/

Join our friendship mentoring programme and get access to the following support:

• Your own volunteer mentor to help with friendship and confidence skills

• Free workshops about social skills and building healthy relationships

• Regular social and well being groups supported by trained staff and volunteers​

• Telephone befriending

• Travel buddy support

To find out more call 0191 231 4327 or email info@friendsaction.co.uk

A course to help parents/carers manage the behaviour of people with learning disabilities and/or autism. It will help you understand their behaviour and ways to support them.

Find out more about Positive Behaviour Support here: Positive Behavioural Support

For more information about this course, call 0191 281 8737 or email information@skillsforpeople.org.uk. 

Daisy Chain offers a variety of free online learning sessions to support individuals and families. These sessions are available to families in the North East and Yorkshire.

What Autism Central Offers:

• High-quality autism education, training, and support.

• Peer educators who are autistic people, and parents and carers of autistic people, trained to support other families.

• A dedicated website for resources and information.

Who Can Join:

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? 

We have a range of programmes from Pre-entry to Level 2 focusing on independent living skills, social and community involvement as well as work and life skills. Please note days are subject to availability and change.

Choose from the subjects below:

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.

Newcastle Libraries works with the British Wireless for the Blind Fund. They offer easy-to-use audio equipment for people with sight loss. You can borrow this equipment for free if you:

• live in the UK

• are registered blind or partially sighted

• are over 8 years old

• get a means-tested benefit

For more information, email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

NEAS Newcastle Autism Hubs are a supportive environment for parents and carers of autistic children. Currently these hubs offer:

• one-to-one sessions where families can discuss any issues in confidence

• workshops designed to help parents understand and support their autistic children. 

The workshops cover topics such as common misconceptions, differences in autistic children, and practical strategies for everyday life.

Supported Internship for Ages 17-24 with EHCP

Our new internship offers real-world work experience and helps you gain job skills that employers want. With dedicated mentors, you'll grow in confidence and independence.

What to Expect

Useful Vision is a service for visually impaired children around the North East. We provide positive opportunities and jam-packed events. Our support for children and families helps them to flourish.

Our activities and services can help children learn new skills and make new friends – reducing social isolation through increased confidence and self-esteem.

You can register your child for support from Useful Vision and to be able to attend events. 

The Chronicle Sunshine Fund is a local North East charity. We provide specialist and adapted equipment to children aged 0-19 living with disabilities, additional needs, chronic and terminal illness. 

We can help you get equipment that is not available from Newcastle City Council or the NHS. It can make a big different to the daily life of your child, as well as your family. 

You can learn more about applying for equipment by visiting this page.

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: