We are Speech and Language UK, and we want every child to face the future with confidence.

For at least 1.7 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle.  So we give children and young people the skills they need so they aren't left behind, waiting to be understood.  

Our vision

Every child who is facing challenges with talking and understanding words can look to the future with confidence.

Serving hot breakfasts, lunchtime favourites and top-quality coffee. Cafe Hope Cowgate is a place for families and people from the local community to enjoy affordable meals in a friendly space. Based at our Cowgate Centre site, its profits help keep our life-changing services accessible to babies, children, young people and their families.

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

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.
 

Specialist support into employment 

Disability confident, Veteran Aware, Carer Aware and fully funded. 

Participants will automatically receive a 15-month support plan, including 6 months support once they enter employment and our rapid response support should they fall out of work within 15 months of signing up with us.

Our eligibility criteria are as follows:

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 British Society for Paediatric Dentistry has launched a set of infographics with the Top 3 tips for preventing tooth decay aimed at improving oral health which have now been translated into the five languages.  

The aim is that the infographics will be widely used by both dental and non-dental healthcare professionals to support conversations about good oral health behaviours and become a key tool for in-surgery preventive advice. BSPD’s Top 3 tips for preventing tooth decay is now available in the following languages:

1. Punjabi

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

Does your child have a special educational need or disability?

Come to our support group. It’s a friendly place for parents and carers to chat and get advice.

• Get advice from professionals.

• Talk to other parents and carers.

• Share ideas.

This group meets on the first Monday of every month. 

No need to book - just turn up.

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:

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

At Sammy Bear Daycare we thrive to meet the needs of all our little people aged 6 weeks - 4 years.

To learn more about our nursery, please take a look at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558873103787  

For more information, please email katie.smith56@ymail.com

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

For parent and carers we host a weekly Coffee Morning every Thursday between 9.30 – 11.30am, (term-time only).  Our coffee mornings provide an opportunity for parents to chat to other families and mutually support each other.  

Coffee Morning refreshments are provided free of charge.

Families with pre-school or home educated children are welcome to bring your child(ren) with you, but please be aware they remain your responsibility at all times.

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