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

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; 

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

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:

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. 

Come along to our friendly interest and social group. It is for people aged 18+ with learning disabilities or autism. We enjoy doing things such as:

• singing karaoke

• bingo and games

• playing pool

• visiting museums

• and more!

Want to find out where we'll be going and what we'll be doing? Then look for our monthly Groups Newsletters posted on our Skills for People Facebook Page.