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The Humankind LGBT North East Services provide support to young people aged 11 to 25 through a range of projects across the North East region.
LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay Bisexual or Transgender or other related identities) specialist support includes one to one interventions, workshops, peer support and family work.
Ambitious about Autism has a rapidly growing online Ambitious Youth Network to enable more autistic young people to have their voices heard. Through the network, autistic young people between the ages of 16 to 25 can share experiences, connect with others, have their say on Ambitious about Autism’s projects as well as access a range of opportunities to advocate and improve services for autistic young people.
Qwell is a free, safe and anonymous mental health support tool for 18 to 25 year olds.
We offer a variety of anonymous support options to meet your needs
Online messaging
Our messaging feature allows you to reach out directly to a professional. We also use messages to connect with someone who may need additional support.
Navigate is a national mentoring service, that provides online emotional support for parents and carers of disabled children who are finding out about their child’s additional needs.
Eligibility
Navigate is open to any parent or carer who:
- lives in England or Wales
- has parental responsibility for a child under 18
- this child is on a pathway to diagnosis or has received one in the last year
Accessing the service
You can apply online or get a referral from the helpline.
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new website for 4-7 year olds and accompanying guide for parents and carers.
The website is based on the three-episode Jessie & Friends animated series, which aims to equip 4-7 year olds with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to stay safer online. It is intended to be used by 4-7 year olds alongside their parents and carers, or within education settings as a learning tool.
Do you have a learning disability and/ or are Autistic? Would you like to join an LGBTQ+ group? Come and meet us.
The group helps to improve the opportunities for Autistic individuals and people with Learning Disabilties in the LGBTQ+ community.
You can talk to learning disability staff about any worries or ideas you may have.
Click here to download a copy of their flyer.
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.
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.
Pathways 4 All is a parent-led charity, providing leisure services for children and young people with disabilities/ additional needs (0-25 years old). Our primary service is a specialist play and activity provision, the Tim Lamb Centre (in the grounds of the Rising Sun County Park, Benton). Our centre is open to families from across the North East region.
Heaton Community Complex offer full day care places, a Playgroup, an Out of School Club with Holiday scheme and Crèche Facility.
We follow Early Years Foundation Stage led by children’s interests, access to a large attractive outdoor play area. We are part of Sure Start East and lead setting for South Heaton Children’s Centre.
Heaton Community Centre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1161406. We offer full day care places, a Nursery, an Out of School Club with Holiday Play Scheme, Onsite and Offsite Crèche Services.
We follow Early Years Foundation Stage led by children’s interests and development. We are part of Sure Start East and link families into Sure Start services. We consult with parents and complete online learning journals to track progress. Healthy snacks are included in both our childcare services and our stay and play sessions.
Riverside Community Health Project works according to community development principles to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged communities by acting with others to ensure appropriate service provision.
Programme of centre and outreach activities for parents, including:
For over 35 years we've led the way in providing specialist care, education and services for children, young people and adults with autism, across the North-east of England.
Recognised for our innovation and excellence, everything we do stems from an unswerving belief in providing bespoke person-centered support. It’s at the heart of who we are to recognise the uniqueness of every human being, and to understand that as a spectrum condition no two people with autism will have the same needs or wants.
This is a FREE service for parents/carers of children going through the diagnostic process or with a diagnosis of autism.
These groups give support, advice and information on services available to families. Trained autism practitioners will run sessions that aim to:
Autism North East is a Social Enterprise, non-profit-making organisation providing assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children, young people and adults where this is a concern related to an Autism Spectrum Condition.
Based in Stockton, Sunderland and Newcastle, the College provides day and residential education for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). Students come from across the country to access this specialist provision that enables them to achieve their personal ambitions.
The majority of our students have additional and complex needs including learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health conditions, behaviours that challenge and sensory issues.
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:
The Newcastle Community Team for Learning Disabilities is based at Benton House in Newcastle.
The Adult team provides specialist assessment and treatment to people aged 18 years and over with a learning disability and additional health needs, where the person’s needs are complex and require an integrated approach to care and treatment that cannot be met through mainstream services.
The Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders Service (CNDS) is a specialist second opinion Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) service for children and young people. We provide diagnostic assessments where there is uncertainty around diagnosis. In addition we also provide consultation and management advice to local services concerning children and young people who already have an existing ASD diagnosis.
Outreach clinic to provide people with a learning disability who have offended or show offending type behaviour(s), and those involved in caring for them the opportunity to seek advice and support on managing day to day forensic issues.
Areas covered: Cumbria, Sunderland and Newcastle
How to get referred:
Referrals must be made through local community nursing teams for each locality.
We provide a range of specialist services for both adults and children with autism and or learning disabilities or both. We work closely with other Trusts, Local Authorities and voluntary sector organisations.