Council Support
What Next in Calderdale – Preparing for Adulthood is a booklet from Calderdale Council which provides information about the supportive framework available from the Council for young people aged 18+ with a learning disability who are leaving full time education. It helps them to create a positive transition from school to college and employment by developing links around further learning, independent living skills, volunteering, paid work and leisure in their local community. Calderdale What Next Brochure
Local Groups & Support
West Yorkshire ADHD Support Group – https://wyadhd.co.uk/ – Facebook page
S4Nd – Society For Neurodiversity – an organisation of neurodiverse or neurodivergent people – https://www.s4nd.org/
Purple Patch Arts – They run weekly lifelong learning programmes across Yorkshire. They use the arts and multi-sensory activities to create exciting and engaging education experiences for learning-disabled and autistic adults. Sign up here: https://purplepatcharts.
- December 6, 2023Woodspeen Training are starting a new online course called TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Disability (RQF) on Tuesday 23rd January 2024. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and maybe work in …
- December 1, 2023The Neurodiversity & Entrepreneurship Association, a Community Interest Company run from Shipley near Bradford, is working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to bring together a group of amazing neurodivergent business owners to celebrate what they’re doing and to shed light on what …
- November 20, 2023Kirklees Involvement Network is a self advocacy group for people with a learning disability. They have a really busy Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/KirkleesKIN – where you can catch up with this initiative and lots more!…
November 7, 2023Occasionally we feature a commercial product or device. We don’t necessarily recommend it, but we share in the spirit of passing on potentially useful information. Cubbie is a multisensory space of light sound and video, designed to help autistic and neurodivergent students regulate sensory …
November 7, 2023The National Development Team for Inclusion has just carried out a review of advocacy for people with a learning disability and autistic people who are inpatients in mental health, learning disability or autism specialist hospitals Their subsequent report covers in-depth research about people’s …
November 7, 2023The STOMP STAMP team at NHS England have created a survey to find out people’s views and experiences about psychotropic medication. Psychotropic medication is any medication that affects the mind for example, medication used to treat psychosis, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, ADHD and …
November 2, 2023Halifax Victoria Theatre’s pantomime this year will be everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale, CINDERELLA! Poor Cinderella works night and day but dreams of a very different life and with an invitation to the royal ball it looks as if her wish may be granted. Will her Wicked …- October 23, 2023NHS England’s Learning Disability and Autism programme has been working with the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (HACT) to develop a flexible set of hospital to home discharge resources, for people with a learning disability and autistic people, intended to be adapted to suit local …
- October 3, 2023Magpies is an award-winning charity that believes people with learning disabilities deserve to live life to the full. They offer a fun and friendly learning environment, offering a wide variety of activities and opportunities including sports, arts, music, media, dance and much more.…
- September 30, 2023…
- September 15, 2023A new report, published this week by the King’s Fund, examines the impact of IC(E)TRs, which are meetings intended to improve the treatment of people with a learning disability or autistic people in long-term segregation. Read the report to hear the views of commissioners and clinicians …
- August 17, 2023Magpies, who work with adults with learning disabilities and are based in Halifax are currently recruiting – here are the roles they are looking to fill: Magpies – Outreach Supervisor (Closing Date 5pm, 21st August 2023) Magpies – Enablers (Closing Date 5pm, 21st August 2023)…
- August 9, 2023The Open University has launched two free courses aimed at supporting professionals and families who care for older people with learning disabilities. The two new courses, which are available now on the OU’s free learning platform OpenLearn, aim to address the issues arising from the research and …
- July 10, 2023Limitless are an adults’ day care centre, who cater for adults with learning disabilities. they would like to invite you to their second birthday fundraising event! All are welcome. The venue is the fully accessible Copley Cricket Club, Copley Lann, Copley, Halifax HX3 0UG.…
- July 6, 2023Calderdale Adult Learning have released their learning disabilities timetable and flyer for the autumn term. Easy Read Timetable Autumn 2023 Download the timetable above for details of prices and booking. For many courses there are early bird prices which are available if booked and paid before 8th …
July 5, 2023Below is one of the positive comments in the latest Ofsted report for Calderdale Council’s Linden Brook short breaks service for children with disabilities and complex needs, which has been rated outstanding for the fifth year in a row. “One child said that he was happy to visit the home, with a …- July 5, 2023There is a new national Autism website that has been set up by nine leading not-for-profit organisations in the UK and commissioned by NHSE. The new Autism central – https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/ The aim is to offer parents and carers of autistic people easy access to autism education, …
- June 26, 2023In a new article on the Healthcare website, Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO at Brain in Hand, discusses new technologies for autism support & creating better access for people with autism to access healthcare – below is the introduction. To read the full article, visit their website. We’re facing …
- May 7, 2023Orange Box Choir is an inclusive community choir for young people and young adults of all abilities/needs. Their singers take part, have fun, make friends and inspire others by sharing their voices. It is a safe, welcoming environment where young people are able to express themselves creatively …
- May 7, 2023Umbrella Yoga CIC are running 80 yoga sessions for adults with Learning Disabilities and related conditions during 2023. Each session involves physical movements (building mobility and strength), breathing practices (to develop self-control and awareness), and relaxation techniques (to promote a …
- May 7, 2023…
- May 4, 2023Limitless, who provide adult day care, have launched a new youth group for people with additional needs aged 11 and above. The group will offer member-led planned activities, promoting choice in a safe and nurturing environment – these will include computing, life skills, crafts, drama, music & …
- May 3, 2023Family Consultation Day report on deaths of people with mental ill health, a learning disability or autism This new report highlights how bereaved families can face persistent challenges following the death of their loved one in mental health services. The authors of the report heard from 14 family …
- April 20, 2023Spotlight on supported internships – A webinar for parents and carers of young people preparing for adult life This webinar is being run by the National Development Team For Inclusion, an organisation that aims to enable people at risk of exclusion, due to age or disability, to live the life …
- April 3, 2023This group aims to improve access for Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent people, and those with long-term health conditions in the Hebden Bridge area. It meets on 3rd Monday afternoon of each month, by zoom video link or at Hebden Town Hall. For more info tel: 01422 844914 email: …
- April 3, 2023Calderdale Adult Learning (CAL) have released details of their Summer Term Courses for Adults (19+) with a Learning Disability. All course are at their Heath Campus, Free School Lane, Halifax HX1 2PS (unless stated otherwise). You can see the course fees in red in the left hand column. You can find …
April 3, 2023A new review designed to boost the employment prospects of autistic people has today been launched by the Government. Sir Robert Buckland KC MP to lead new Autism Employment Review Focus on supporting employers to recruit and retain autistic people and reap benefits of a neurodiverse workforce …- March 13, 2023The Care Quality Commission (the CQC) and Healthwatch are recruiting six campaign ambassadors to help them develop campaign messaging for people with a learning disability and autistic people, and to feature them as campaign spokespeople. Ambassadors will help the CQC and Healthwatch encourage …
- March 13, 2023Limitless, the adults day care centre, who cater for adults with learning disabilities, would like to invite you to their Easter coffee afternoon on Thursday April 6th at 1.30pm. All are welcome and they will have a cake stall and small raffle. The venue is the fully accessible Copley Cricket Club, …
- February 6, 2023Get into Performing Arts is a new one day per week course for people from Calderdale with learning disabilities and/or autism over the age of 18. Below are links to documents with more info – note, although some are dated 2022, the same offer is currently available for 2023 – so please …
- February 6, 2023Megan Pickering from Purple Patch Arts has been in touch with us to tell us about what they do. (See also their Lifelong Learning Programmes and how to sign up here: https://purplepatcharts.org/lifelong-learning/ ) They run weekly lifelong learning programmes across Yorkshire. They use the arts and …
- January 31, 2023The Cooking for Beginners course is for adults with learning disabilities who would like to learn to bake and cook in a lively and fun environment. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends while learning lots of practical skills and making a variety of dishes to take home and share. Check …
January 30, 20236 ways to secure employment if you have a learning disability. Finding a job and gaining employment can be challenging for most disabled people, but it can be even harder if you have a learning disability due to employers’ misconceptions about your levels of skills or intelligence to work. …- January 23, 2023Magpies will be opening on Saturdays from March 2023! Magpies are based in Halifax and they work with people with learning disabilities to help them live life to the full. Magpies Sundays Join them for 4 hours of Magpies fun including sports, cooking, arts and crafts and more…. The day costs …
- November 23, 2022What Next in Calderdale – Preparing for Adulthood is a booklet from Calderdale Council which provides information about the supportive framework available from the Council for young people aged 18+ with a learning disability who are leaving full time education. It helps them to create a …
- November 10, 2022Experiences of being in hospital for people with a learning disability and autistic people is a new report from the Care Quality Commission (The independent regulator of health and adult social care in England). Here’s their introduction to the report and a link to download and read the …
- November 7, 2022Magpies is an award-winning Halifax-based charity that believes people with learning disabilities deserve to live life to the full. They offer a fun and friendly learning environment, offering a wide variety of activities and opportunities including sports, arts, music, media, dance and much more. …
- November 7, 2022Magpies is an award-winning Halifax-based charity that believes people with learning disabilities deserve to live life to the full. They offer a fun and friendly learning environment, offering a wide variety of activities and opportunities including sports, arts, music, media, dance and much more. …
- October 18, 2022Luv2meetU is a friendship and relationship service for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, helping people improve their overall health and wellbeing. Visit their website to find out more. This video is a good introduction to Luv3meetU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJGLFLKkTac…
- October 6, 2022The Charity Jobs website has a great article on the hiring of Neurodiverse people, including some great tips on how to make your vacancy more attractive to a Neurodiverse person – Right now, charities and organisations are desperately trying to fill vacancies and shouting about diversity, …
- September 5, 2022Calderdale Adult Learning ran a huge range of educational course for adults. They also have an outstanding range of courses to support and enable you to achieve your full potential at work, in supported employment, if you have a learning disability. Some of our available courses starting in …
September 1, 2022West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism programme is looking at developing some resources and information for neurodivergent children and young people. By neurodivergent, we are referring to people with conditions such as autism, ADHD and other …- August 11, 2022Free Taster Day! Want to find out more about the Mind The Gap Academy with their new one day per week performing arts course for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. They’re holding a free Taster Day on Tuesday 16 August, 10am – 12pm at Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax. To book …
- July 21, 2022Building the right support for people with a learning disability and autistic people is the name of a new action plan from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Here is a summary of the plan and a link to the full document: People with a learning disability and people with autism should …
- June 27, 2022Join a new weekly walking group for adults with learning disabilities run by Lead the Way. When: Every Wednesday at 1pm Where: Meeting at the Kings Centre Coffee House, Park Road, Halifax HX1 2TS…
- June 23, 2022If you have a Learning Disability and would like to apply please find attached a role description and application form. Application Form / Job Description This is a voluntary role and you will need to be able to attend in person at the next Partnership Board which will be held at Mereside on the …
- June 7, 2022Lead the Way, the Halifax-based learning disability support organisation send out a monthly newsletter. Their June newsletter is now out. You can view it on our website https://bit.ly/3MLyiTj or you can download a copy here: June Newsletter (pdf)…
- June 7, 2022Inclusion North are hosting a zoom meeting about Reaching out to Families on Friday 17th June 10:30am-12pm for family carers supporting relatives with a learning disability, autistic people and neurodiversity. For further info please contact Rachael on 07960 388628 or email: …
- June 6, 2022Mind the Gap’s industry leading Academy training is coming to Calderdale from October 2022. They are running a new one day per week performing arts course for people with learning disabilities and/or autism over the age of 18 at Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax. For more information and to book a …
- May 23, 2022NHS Calderdale CCG is undertaking a mapping exercise to understand what insight we have of peoples experiences of services that provide support around mental health, neurodiversity, autism and learning disabilities. This includes services provided by the NHS, other health providers and voluntary, …
- May 17, 2022Vi Cruz is running Arts & Craft For Adults With Learning Disabilities at Todmorden College. Learn about ART and how to make it – including painting, paper mache, printmaking and origami. Feel proud of your achievements. Make new friends. Have fun making and sharing awesome ART !!!! Vic …
- May 5, 2022Understand diagnosis, behaviour, needs, and the support available to individuals with autism and their families. This FREE online training explores what it’s like for an individual to live with autism and how you can develop appropriate awareness, support, and communication skills. Find out more …
- May 5, 2022A new West-Yorkshire based group is offering support to people with ADHD and their families and friends. They are also running a Calderdale group, which meets monthly in Brighouse. The West Yorkshire ADHD Group has it’s own website – wyadhd.co.uk – which if full of information, …
- April 21, 2022Figures collected by The Observer highlight the extent of delays young people are facing when trying to get assessed for autism. The Guardian reports that 2,835 referrals for assessment in Coventry and Warwickshire have still not resulted in an appointment, on average 88 weeks after the initial …
- April 19, 2022As part of Autism Acceptance Month, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership have updated their website’s Partnership Autism website pages with new content to read, watch, listen to and share, including a briefing about changes to the Health and Care system in Easy Read format an …
- April 19, 2022Lead the Way have published a Spring Newsletter and Activity Pack, full of fun things to do. Why not download a copy: Lead The Way Spring Newsletter Activity Pack…
- April 5, 2022Getting your health checked Easy read newsletter. This new issue of the easy read newsletter is about encouraging people to use health services and not being scared because of coronavirus. It has articles about where to go if you are feeling poorly or something has changed in your body is it time …
- April 5, 2022SEND Review raises red flags The Department for Education (DfE) has opened a consultation on its SEND Green Paper Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Review: right support, right place, right time. It is asking for views on the future of the SEND and alternative provision (AP) system …
- March 30, 2022…
- March 30, 2022A five-year NHS autism research strategy, to facilitate the use of the best current evidence when making decisions about autism services provided by or paid for by the NHS in England, has been launched (25/3/2022). Below are the aims of the strategy, plus a link to the NHS England website, where …
- March 15, 2022This is the March 2022 edition of this far-reaching and comprehensive newsletter. Acknowledgement and thanks to Dr Cathy Hamer, NW SEND Regional Network co-ordinator for collating most of this information and Julie Killey Yorkshire and Humber Regional co-ordinator jkilley@wakefield.gov.uk …
- March 7, 2022Your views and experiences are important in helping Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) to improve the Transition Service for young people and their families with neuro-disabilities. Transition is the purposeful and planned process of supporting young people to move from …
- March 7, 2022A guide on what young people feel is important when having an assessment. A number of young people who represent the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Reference Group, Tough Times Reference Group and Calderdale Young Commissioners have created a two page guide on what we as young …
- February 23, 2022At our Open Meeting on 22 February 2022, one of our members, Alison Schofield, spoke about her life and, in particular, living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. With Alison’s kind permission, we videoed her talk and you can view it in full below. If you would like to know more about Ehlers-Danlos …
- February 8, 2022Magpies is an award-winning Halifax-based charity that believes people with learning disabilities deserve to live life to the full. They offer a fun and friendly learning environment, offering a wide variety of activities and opportunities including sports, arts, music, media, dance and much more. …
- February 8, 2022You are invited to a short session around Dental Hygiene for people with learning disabilities. Come and learn how to keep your teeth clean and avoid dental treatment. The session takes place on Wednesday 16rh February from 10.30am – 12.00pm at Calderdale Adult Learning To book and for further …
- January 28, 2022A new, modern respite care and short breaks centre for people with learning disabilities has opened in Elland. The former Westgarth children’s home has undergone major refurbishment works providing much improved accommodation for people accessing the service and for staff providing support. The …
- January 23, 2022Creative Minds is running these music, dance and drama workshops using the theme of ‘Birds in Flight’. They will hold 2 large performances following the workshops. They are holding face-to-face sessions at The Watershed in Slaithwaite. There are also other workshops available for people who would …
- January 23, 2022New report from Relationships Foundation and 20/20health calls for a ‘flexi-schooling’ approach for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) A new jointly published report argues that a shift in priorities within education is needed to support a rising parental …
- January 17, 2022You can download a pdf of the latest Lead the Way newsletter, themed around learning disabilities, here: LTW January 2022 Email Newsletter…
- January 17, 2022A free training session about communicating with people who have learning disabilities, autism, a neurodiverse condition, sensory or speech impairment. This training is for those who need to be able to deliver personalised care, considering individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. This …
- December 16, 2021Courses for adults (19+) with a learning disability at Calderdale Adult Learning. These are the courses for January 2022. Courses for Adults (19+) with a Learning Disability Easy Read PDF – Click Here You can find more details at https://calderdale.gov.uk/believeachieve: …
- December 16, 2021A message from our CEO: building a movement for change 2021 has been an extremely difficult year for many Disabled people. Our lives have continued to be dominated by COVID and its devastating consequences. We are acutely conscious of the high number of deaths of Disabled people, the risk that …
- December 10, 2021Disability Rights UK is reporting that one in four autistic children are left waiting for over three years to receive the support they need at school, leaving families “exhausted and on the edge of crisis”, according to a new report by the National Autistic Society. Three quarters of parents polled …
- December 8, 2021Calderdale based neurodiversity charity S4Nd are currently working hard on our ongoing campaign to raise awareness of how “Patient Choice” is still not being applied to Neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessments. Here’s their latest press release, which contains links to our newly published …
- November 22, 2021A new survey has highlighted how despite 1.5 million people in the UK having a learning disability, two thirds of British people don’t know what a learning disability is. The ‘Talk To Me’ campaign, produced as part of Mencap’s 75th anniversary, highlights the misunderstanding people with a …
- November 18, 2021https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGuj-wUM0J4 This Christmas, The Victoria Theatre Halifax is putting on the biggest panto of them all, the fabulous Jack and the Beanstalk. It will run from Saturday 11 December 21 – Sunday 2 January 22 and there will be Signed and Relaxed Performances included in the …
- November 4, 2021Supermarket Asda is rolling out a new ‘Quieter Hour’ in stores which will see store noises reduced from 2-3pm from Monday to Thursday to help customers with certain disabilities or additional needs. It has also given extra training to over 85,000 colleagues to help better serve Disabled …
- November 4, 2021West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service invite you to their bonfire event, which is guaranteed to be fun and totally safe! The event takes place at their headquarters in Birkenshaw. Come down & have fun, as we provide a safe place to join in the celebrations! To keep the Bonfire and fireworks …
- October 17, 2021…
- October 17, 2021Did you know the learning disability organisation Magpies, which is based in Halifax, has a full calendar of events is on its website? From their activity rota and trips out, to outreach activities and events at their centre. This calendar is regularly updated to help keep you in the loop. Click on …
- October 12, 2021Lead the Way’s October E-bulletin, aimed at people with learning disabilities, is now out and you can download a copy here. This month they are leading on the flu jab: Now we are into autumn and cooler weather is approaching, it is time to start thinking about flu jabs again to protect …
- October 11, 2021To mark Hate Crime Awareness Week – 10-17 October – we have produced a series of videos that look at the issue of Hate Crime and at how to recognise it, how to report it and how the Safe Places scheme offers refuge and support for victims of Hate Crimes. Working with Lead the Way, West …
- September 20, 2021This update is from Calderdale Sports Services: With Covid-19 regulations restricting the delivery of sports centre based disability sports programmes during the past 18 months, contact was maintained with maintained with families and partners ensuring that alternative provision and opportunities …
- September 16, 2021Cloverleaf Advocacy are running some new Happy Healthy Relationships 2021 workshops, aimed at people with learning disabilities, in Calderdale this Autumn – here’s what they have to say about them. People with a learning disability are at much higher risk of sexual abuse and …
- September 14, 2021We’re very happy to welcome our latest Affiliate Organisation, the Halifax-based Society for neurodiversity or S4Nd Organisation Name: Society for neurodiversity Organisation Email Address: angiebalmer@s4nd.org Organisation Phone Number: 07971450062 Organisation Website Address: S4Nd.org …
- September 5, 2021If you are a person with a learning disability who is looking for things to do on days off college or just in general then the downloadable easy read timetable from Calderdale Adult Learning is worth looking at. There might well be something of interest in there. Easy Read Timetable Learning …
- September 5, 2021Here is the September ebulletin from our friends Lead the Way. Don’t forget that they have different health awareness sessions running for the next few months, some information is inside this bulletin, and a list of upcoming sessions will be circulated shortly. Download September Bulletin…
- August 31, 2021Here’s a short video that looks at a particular model that explains some of the sensory overload issues that people with Autism experience, and how reducing that overload can help. feel free to pause the video if the slides some up a little too quickly.…
- August 9, 2021Local Government Association Report: A perfect storm: health inequalities and the impact of Covid-19 This report warns that Covid-19 has created a ‘perfect storm’ of existing inequality and disease, leading to higher rates of coronavirus infections and death among the most disadvantaged people. It …
- August 2, 2021The latest Lead the Way eBulletin is out with helpful resources for clients and carers, organisations that can support you as well as news, information and wellbeing sessions. Lead the Way work with people with learning disabilities in the calderdale area. Download Lead The Way July 2021 eBulletin…
- August 2, 2021The government has launched a new multi-million pound strategy to speed up diagnosis and improve support and care for autistic people. This is their press release first published on 21 July 2021 The Autism Strategy aims to tackle the inequalities and barriers autistic people face so they can live …
- July 20, 2021The latest eBulletin from Lead the Way, the Halifax-based learning disability organisation, is out. As ever, it’s full of helpful resources for clients and carers, details of organisations that can support you as well as news, information and wellbeing sessions.Download Lead The Way July 2021 …
- July 19, 2021The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee have just released a new report, titled “The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.” Below is the Summary – the full report can be found here. Summary The poor treatment of autistic people and …
July 19, 2021This article, from the BMJ explores how the covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on people with learning disabilities across the world. The linked paper by the OpenSAFELY collaborative led by Williamson and colleagues (doi:10.1136/bmj.n1592) makes an important contribution to the evidence …- July 19, 2021This is an open letter from Calderdale’s leading disability organisations to local/regional politicians, sharing concerns about the ending of Covid-19 restrictions on 19th July. To Tracy Brabin, Mayor, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Tim Swift, Leader, Calderdale Council Jane Scullion, …
- June 28, 2021Take a look at the events Magpies have planned for the next few weeks. Magpies are Halifax based and support and encourage adults with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. The events run every Thursday throughout July from 6-8pm. The event costs £20 per person and this includes full …
- June 28, 2021A new virtual group from Lead the Way will help you become more active and add more exercise in your routine. Meeting every Wednesday at 1pm to share ideas, set targets and celebrate results. There are 15 free pedometers available to get you started. If you would like more information …
- June 28, 2021Based on the book by Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump tells the stories of autistic children across continents, attempting to explain their non-verbal outlook on life through their sensory perceptions. The film has a limited cinema release at the moment. Funded by Netflix, it is likely to be …
- June 3, 2021These sessions are aimed at family members, unpaid carers, and paid carers from Kirklees and Calderdale area. All sessions are via Zoom and will have lots of resources and additional information Date Time Session Monday 21st June 10.30-12 Epilepsy awareness Jenny Kelly and Karen Roberts …