At Disability Partnership Calderdale, we like to keep you up to date with upcoming events. In this podcast, we look at disability-friendly events coming up in the early summer of 2026.
Transcript
Hello, and welcome to this special summer events podcast from Disability Partnership Calderdale.
Over the next few minutes we’ll be taking a look at some of the fantastic activities, social events, festivals and accessible opportunities taking place across Calderdale and the surrounding area during the summer months.
There’s a huge variety on offer this year — from adapted sports, climbing, cycling and cricket sessions for children and young people, through to arts activities, social groups, community festivals, countryside shows, live music, creative workshops and accessible days out.
We’ll also hear about the work of local organisations including Sight Support Calderdale and Experience Community, who continue to provide valuable opportunities for disabled people and their families to get involved, stay active and connect with others.
Many of the events we mention are free or low-cost, and several are fully accessible or specifically designed to support disabled people, carers and families.
Whether you’re looking for something active, creative, social or simply a good day out this summer, hopefully there’ll be something here to inspire you.
So, let’s get started with some of the activities available for children and young people across Calderdale this summer.
Across Calderdale this summer, there are lots of free activities and sports sessions available for children and young people with disabilities, giving families the chance to stay active, make friends and try something new in a welcoming and supportive environment.
One of the regular activities running from May into July is a series of free climbing sessions for SEND children and young people at the ROKT Activity Centre in Brighouse. The sessions are led by qualified instructors and take place after school and during school holidays, with sessions running twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between four and six in the evening. The programme runs from the twentieth of May through until the middle of June.
There are also free adapted cycling sessions called Saddle Up taking place every Saturday from the twenty-third of May until the eleventh of July. These family-friendly sessions are designed for children with special needs or disabilities and include access to a range of specialist adapted bikes, supported by Calderdale Sports Service coaches. The sessions run from eleven until half past one at Spring Hall Athletics Track in Halifax.
For young people aged eleven to nineteen, free inclusive cricket sessions are also taking place every Friday evening from late May through to July. These indoor sessions are run by Copley Cricket Club and welcome young people with all types of disabilities. As well as learning cricket skills, the sessions are designed to help young people stay active, build confidence and make new friends in a relaxed and supportive setting. Sessions take place at Southgate Methodist Church in Elland between half past five and half past six.
Many of these activities are linked through Calderdale Council’s sports and short breaks programmes, and families can find out more about both the climbing and adapted cycling sessions by contacting Debbie Greenwood. Email debbie dot greenwood at calderdale dot gov dot uk, or call either 01422 392088 or 01422 341527.
For the cricket, please contact Helen Hoyle on 07703 144384 or info@copleycc.co.uk
Looking ahead to the school summer holidays, the Jam Packed Summer programme returns from the twentieth of July until the fourteenth of August. This is a large school holiday scheme for disabled young people aged eight to nineteen, organised through Calderdale’s Short Breaks Programme and Sports Services.
Based at Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College at Spring Hall in Halifax, the programme includes a huge range of activities including sports coaching, athletics, dance, arts and crafts, adapted cycling, bowling, visits to local attractions and outdoor activities at places like Shibden Park and Manor Heath.
Sessions run Monday to Thursday from ten until three, with longer Friday sessions running from nine until four. Organisers say the scheme is designed for young people who can take part in group activities with a reasonable level of independence, although parents, carers and support workers are encouraged to attend where additional support is needed.
Applications for Jam Packed Summer close on Friday the twelfth of June. You can find more details on the events page of our website.
Another organisation offering inclusive activities this summer is Experience Community, a wheelchair and disability-focused organisation which runs a wide range of accessible social and outdoor events across the region.
One of their more creative events is Wheelie Sketchy, a free sketching and social arts session taking place on Wednesday the third of June in Marsden. The session is open to everybody, whether you already enjoy drawing and sketching or simply want to have a go in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The event takes place at the North of England Centre for Music and Arts at Standedge Visitor Centre in Marsden. There’s no need to book in advance, and more information can be found on the Experience Community website. experiencecommunity.co.uk/
Experience Community are also organising an accessible social ramble on Saturday the twenty-seventh of June along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Saltaire. The walk will explore the famous Five Rise Locks, one of the great engineering achievements of the canal age. The group will meet at Salts Mill visitor car park at eleven o’clock for an eleven-thirty start.
The ramble will last around three to four hours at a gentle social pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop for breaks and photographs along the way. Participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch and dress for the weather. Anyone new to Experience Community events or interested in trying a Mountain Trike for the first time is asked to contact the organisation beforehand. Full details and booking information are again available through the Experience Community website. experiencecommunity.co.uk/
And starting on Tuesday the ninth of June, Experience Community are also running a fully funded six-week wheelchair skills course in Wakefield. The course takes place every Tuesday until the fourteenth of July at Rycroft Leisure Centre in Ryhill.
Designed for wheelchair users of all abilities, the course covers practical everyday skills including pushing techniques, manoeuvring in tight spaces, getting through doors and managing slopes and uneven ground. Sessions are led by disabled staff with lived experience of wheelchair use, supported by additional volunteers and staff to create a safe and encouraging atmosphere.
There are two session times available each Tuesday, and organisers say the course progresses at a comfortable pace to help build confidence gradually. Places are free, but booking is required through the Experience Community website experiencecommunity.co.uk
Another organisation with a packed programme of regular activities this summer is Sight Support Calderdale, which supports people living with sight loss across Calderdale.
Throughout June they are running a wide range of social groups, fitness sessions, trips, technology support and community activities, with something happening almost every weekday.
Their regular weekly activities include Coffee and Chat sessions in Brighouse and Halifax, a Wednesday Breakfast Group, knitting and crochet sessions, bowling, walking groups and EnergEyes fitness sessions focusing on balance, stretching and core strength.
There are also several special events taking place during June. These include a technology clinic offering one-to-one help with phones, tablets and accessibility settings, a session explaining the disabled bus pass application process, creative activities such as tie-dye bag making, a treasure trail at Shibden Park, and even a behind-the-scenes talk from actor Derry Jordan, whose television roles have included Coronation Street and All Creatures Great and Small.
Sight Support Calderdale are also preparing for their anniversary event on Friday the twenty-sixth of June, where visitors can meet suppliers and organisations offering the latest daily living aids, equipment and support for people with sight loss.
Looking ahead to July, bookings are now open for their summer trip to Blackpool on Thursday the sixteenth of July, giving members the chance to enjoy a traditional seaside day out.
Alongside all of this, the charity will also be out in the community over the summer at events including Halifax Gala, Brighouse Gala and Shelf Gala, helping to raise funds for their vital services.
Because there are so many activities taking place each month, the easiest way to keep up to date is through the Disability Partnership Calderdale events page or directly through the Sight Support Calderdale website, sightsupportcalderdale.org.uk where you can find full listings, booking details and contact information for all upcoming activities.
There are also plenty of larger community events, fairs, festivals and live entertainment happening across Calderdale this summer, offering something for all ages and interests.
June begins with Brighouse Vintage Day on Sunday the seventh of June, when Brighouse town centre turns back the clock with a celebration of all things vintage and retro, creating a great atmosphere for families, shoppers and anyone who enjoys a bit of nostalgia.
The following weekend sees the return of the Halifax Charity Gala at Manor Heath Park on Saturday the thirteenth of June, one of Calderdale’s best-known community events, packed with entertainment, stalls, activities and family fun throughout the day.
Towards the end of June there are several countryside and community events taking place. Todmorden Country Fair arrives on Saturday the twentieth of June with horses, vintage vehicles, crafts, trade stands and traditional attractions, followed by the Todmorden Agricultural Show on Sunday the twenty-first of June at the Riverside Centre.
The weekend of the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth of June is especially busy across Calderdale. Sowerby Bridge Festival returns with two days of live music, DJs, arts events, games, trails and family activities across the town.
Also on Saturday the twenty-seventh of June is the Brighouse Charity Gala at Lane Head Recreation Ground, another long-running local favourite featuring entertainment, stalls and activities for all ages.
Vintage lovers may also enjoy the Hebden Bridge Vintage Fair on the same day, featuring independent vintage fashion and homeware sellers alongside live music and refreshments.
As we move into July, there are more arts and culture events to enjoy. Halifax Minster hosts Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out on Thursday the second of July, followed later in the month by two candlelight concerts — The Music of ABBA on the eighteenth of July and The Music of James Bond on the twenty-second.
From the third to the fifth of July, Hebden Bridge Open Studios gives people the opportunity to visit local artists and makers, explore creative spaces and discover a huge variety of artwork and crafts.
Then on Saturday the fourth of July, Shelf Gala returns to Shelf Hall Park with family entertainment, performances and activities throughout the day.
August also brings some of Calderdale’s best-loved summer events, including Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend on the first and second of August, and the Halifax Agricultural Show on the eighth of August, one of the region’s largest agricultural and countryside events.
For full details of all of these events, along with many more activities, community groups and things to do across Calderdale this summer, visit the Calderdale Forum 50 Plus website. calderdaleforum50plus.com
And finally, Disability Partnership Calderdale will be hosting its own Summer Party on Tuesday the fourteenth of July from half past one until half past three at Grove Court in Ovenden.
The afternoon promises to be a relaxed and friendly get-together with afternoon tea, cakes and scones, a quiz and, most importantly, good company in a fully accessible venue.
Whether you already know Disability Partnership Calderdale or would simply like to meet new people and enjoy a summer afternoon out, everyone is very welcome.
The event takes place at Grove Court, Ovenden, Halifax, HX3 5QR, and organisers would appreciate people letting them know in advance if they plan to attend.
You can contact Disability Partnership Calderdale by email at info at disability partnership calderdale dot org, or call 0771 612 2897 for more information.
And that brings us to the end of this round-up of summer events and activities across Calderdale. From sports and outdoor activities to community festivals, social groups, arts events and accessible days out, there really is something for everyone over the coming months.
For full details of many of the events mentioned in this podcast, along with plenty more activities, support groups and local information, visit the Disability Partnership Calderdale website and events page.
Thanks for listening, and we hope you have a fantastic summer.