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:

TimbaDash Theatre presents 'Timba Time!' at the Alan Shearer Activity Centre.

On the 3rd Sunday of every month we have Timba-Time, a sensory storytelling play space for people with learning disabilities and their families.

It is essential that you ring 0191 267 8118 to book your place. You must be a member at the Alan Shearer Centre to book, but please know that it is free to join.

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':

Fun play sessions for children aged 0-5 with SEND, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. No need to book, just come along!

Tuesday 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Thursday 9:30 am to 11:00 am

Term time only.

The Tree house Early Years Centre is a great place to have fun. Check out this link The Tree House Early Years Centre | Newcastle Support Directory and video to learn more: 

The sensory room has a range of sights, sounds, textures, and fidget toys. Perfect for children up to age 5 with sensory needs.

£3 per adult (up to 3 accompanied children).
£10 per hour to hire the full sensory room.
If cost is a barrier, please get in touch.  

Available to book from Monday to Saturday.  

To book and for more information, use the ‘Click here to book’ button on this page https://theowltreechildrenscafe.co.uk/sensory-room/ 

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 

The sensory room has a range of sights, sounds, textures, and fidget toys. Perfect for children up to age 5 with SEND, autism, or sensory needs.

You can call 0191 278 8458 or email treehouseenquiries@newcastle.gov.uk to book a slot.  Just request a date and time.

Slots are usually 30 minutes long.  

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

Specialist session for young people diagnosed with autism or in the process of referral.

Every Wednesday

6pm – 7pm

Ages 8 to 11

Parks Sports Centre, Howdon Road, North Shields, NE29 6TL

No football boots – wear trainers to play

For more information contact Michael.johansen@nufc.co.uk 

These sessions are open to families with a disabled child/young person (and siblings).  During these sessions, families can use our:

• soft play area

• sensory room

• trampoline hall

• outdoor play garden

• and more!

On a Wednesday Evening (term time), we run an arts and craft session ‘Get Crafty’ with a playworker leading the activity.

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

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: 

Tovertafel: Magic Table is a fun interactive activity for children and young people.  Different items or objects are projected onto the table.  Users can move their arms and hands to interact with the projection. Scatter leaves and knock a football around on the magic table!

This is an activity for everyone but is often enjoyed by children with autism and learning difficulties.

The magic table is on Level 3 at City Library and free to use but must be booked in advance.

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. 

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.

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:

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:

The Thursday Club is for people over 18 years old with disabilities. It helps people make friends. Each week, there is a fun activity to learn new skills and feel good.

The club is very popular so there is now a waiting list. If you want to join or find more about it, please email: hannah@smileforlife.org.uk.

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.