Family Fund supports families living across the UK who are who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person up to the age of 17. Our support is focused on those on low incomes with a child/children who have a high level of additional support needs.

At Family Fund, we believe that all families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people should have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as other families.

Children Today helps provide specialised equipment for children and young people with disabilities throughout the UK. The aim is to ensure that every disabled child and young person fulfils their potential and leads an active childhood.

We believe the provision of specialised equipment has a direct and immediate impact on a child’s quality of life and independence, and is vital in helping them to overcome obstacles and achieve their potential. Equipment can include wheelchairs, walking frames, tricycles and other mobility aids along with multi-sensory equipment.

The Access Fund is a grant to help disabled children and young people to participate in activities in their local community.  This can be any daytime, evening or weekend activity that the child or young person enjoys whilst their parent/carer has a break from caring.   The Access Fund seeks to support children and young people to take part in inclusive activities alongside their non- disabled peers.

Max Card is issued by North East Local Authority specialist teams to children in care, and children and young people with additional needs.

Max Card offers these children and their families or carers free or discounted entry into many museums, galleries and heritage attractions across the North East.

Just show your Max Card at the entrance and you will get in for free or at the Max Card discounted rate – see the venues page for a full list of venues offering discounts.

Residents of Karbon Housing can get specialist advice on welfare benefits, money advice, home energy or help finding work or training. Whether one off advice or the help of a dedicated caseworker is needed, Karbon’s dedicated team of expert advisers can help.

To self refer, you can email moneymatters@karbonhomes.co.uk, fill in a quick online form https://www.karbonhomes.co.uk/customer-area/my-money or phone 0808 164 0111 

Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity exists to grant the wishes of children who are living with serious or life-threatening illnesses between the ages of 3-18 who live in the United Kingdom.

Our dedicated wish team responds to all wish applications within two weeks. We do not operate a waiting list, but give every wish our immediate attention.

With your help they and their families can experience the joy and excitement of doing something they've only ever dreamt of before.

Help us turn wishes into happy memories.

Disability North is a registered charity (no. 514733) promoting inclusion, independence and choice for disabled people and their families by providing information, advice and support on any aspect of disability. Services are also provided for students or professionals working in the statutory, voluntary and the public sector.

Overview

Newcastle College is the largest FE provider in the North East. It also offers more courses across a wider subject area than any other college in the region.

At Newcastle College, we aim to give our students an exceptional learning experience.One that is not purely based on theory but one which has an active element of on-the-job training. After studying at Newcastle College, you will be in the perfect position to find employment or to continue onto higher education.

Newcastle College is a training provider that offers apprenticeships, traineeships and employability skills training. Newcastle College also offer a Sixth Form provision and further and higher education.

Newcastle College can offer the following support:

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires each local authority in England to appoint at least one person for the purpose of discharging the local authority’s duty to promote the educational achievement of its Looked After Children (LAC) and Young People (LAYP). The Virtual School head teacher (VSH) leads on this and the Virtual School is the support service for undertaking this role in supporting the education of all our looked after children and looked after young people.

We work in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all our services support people to live life as they choose.

Our work includes:

Live Well Learn Well provides one-to-one and small group coaching to young people. Our coaching enables young people to overcome barriers to learning, and helps them to develop the confidence and motivation they need to succeed in school.

We work with young people who struggle with a range of issues, including low self-esteem, anxiety, poor body image, and exam stress.

We also coach adults who work in education, with a focus on stress management and preventing burnout.

Education and Services for People with Autism Limited is a Registered Charity with over 24 years’ experience of supporting people on the autism spectrum.

ESPA’s services include:

Inspired Support helps people with learning difficulties or autism.  They aim to help develop talents, social skills, life skills, and more. There is a particular focus on the needs and wants of the individual and having fun.  Sessions are led by local professionals and can focus on:

Sporting Chance is a local community organisation. We aim to overcome some of the barriers young people may face and we strive to provide a holistic service to all our members. 

You are at the heart of everything we do. We are continually investing in our campus, facilities and opportunities, to make sure you have the best experience possible.

This is reflected in high levels of student satisfaction:

JK Educate supports children’s learning: effective tutoring from primary school to university, entrance exam preparations and academic assessments.The consultancy now operates to support families across London and further afield, including advising families moving into the UK education system from overseas and providing tutoring support for everything from 7+ entrance exams, SEN and to undergraduate studies.

Westgate Community College provides a wide range of community education courses. Each year we provide courses across around 40 subjects involving 700 part-time students.

Facilitating creative and vocational opportunities

Flow is committed to facilitating, promoting and enhancing the future for young adults with additional needs. We wish to engage young people in creative and vocational opportunities to develop their skills and self-esteem in order for them to play a purposeful role within the community.

Cafe Beam at Ouseburn Farm provides a fabulous environment for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties to gain hands on work experience and learn new skills and develop confidence.

We are looking for regular volunteers to provide practical support for our youngsters usually for one morning or one afternoon on a weekly basis.  This role is extremely rewarding and varied and you will acquire a real insight into the operational side of our organisation as well as gaining valuable experience in working with people with special needs. 

We provide supported work placements to people who have learning difficulties, mental health problems, or both. We aim to empower people with the skills and experience that only real working environments can give:

• team working

• social interaction

• access to training opportunities

Our voluntary placements help to increase self confidence in the work place and beyond, improve self esteem and reduce social isolation.

Liberdade provide performing arts and health and well-being courses for adults with learning disabilities and autism. Activities are run from Gosforth Civic Theatre

Our arts and health activities can be part of a study programme for post-16 SEN students. They can also be an alternative to social and further education for students leaving college.

Enable young people with SEN the opportunity to access activities which support and encompass Recovery & Mental Health Awareness.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• 6 week programmes
• 2hr weekly sessions
• Regular reviews
• Focus on Recovery & Mental Health
• 16-25 year olds

Physical Wellbeing
Walks, small exercise sessions, sports activities

Self-Reflection
Emotional literacy, journaling, scrap booking

Looking for support to get into paid employment? 
Looking for real hands-on work experience and more career opportunities? 
Motivated to get work experience to find a paid job?

NHS England Choices College is a national specialist college. We provide employment support for young adults aged 16-24 with learning disabilities/difficulties and/or Autism. 

Our person-centred approach ensures support is tailored to meet each learner’s needs. Placements are found based on the learners' skills and interests.

The Care Farming Programme is for adults with learning disabilities, difficulties and autism.  Learn new skills and gain confidence. Work as part of a team in Ouseburn Farm's farmyard, gardens or visitor centre.  

Ouseburn Farm has the following placements: