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:

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.

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:

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.

Molehill Mountain is an app to help autistic people understand and self-manage anxiety.

You can use Molehill Mountain to explore the causes and symptoms of anxiety.

• Track your worries and the situations that trigger anxiety.

• Get evidence-based daily tips to understand more about anxiety.

• Feel more confident to self-manage anxiety.

It was developed by Autistica and King's College London.  Adults with autism were consulted throughout the development of the app.

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.

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? 

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.

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. 

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

Redburn is an inpatient general adolescent service with 10 beds providing specialist care and treatment to young people with severe and or complex mental disorders who cannot be adequately or safely treated within community children and young people’s services (CYPS). This includes young people with mild learning disability and autism spectrum disorders who do not need inpatient CAMHS learning disability services.

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

This May Help, is a new national initiative providing mental health advice to parents and carers. This May Help is aimed at parents and carers who may have concerns about their child’s mental health and is part funded by the Quality Improvement Taskforce for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Inpatient Services.

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. 

Children North East exists because growing up can be hard. We want all babies, children and young people to be happy and healthy and to grow up feeling: 

• Safe and loved

• Resilient to the challenges they may face

• Valued and confident  

We have a strong children’s rights ethos and believe that real social change is achieved when those who are, or have, experienced issues lead the change.