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.
- May 16, 2024Send event – getting ready for adult life. …
- April 29, 2024The website Autism Central has launched a new series of six webinars on looking after yourself as a parent or carer of an autistic person. Here’s what they say about the webinars, which are available to watch now. Learn about the impact of self-critical thinking, and what we can do to be more …
- April 26, 2024Purple Patch Arts have more spaces available on the programmes – see the flyer below for details:…
April 22, 2024Here are details of a Learning Disability fun day in Huddersfield in June.…- April 22, 2024The leaning disability charity Mencap offer an excellent information, advice and support service. This includes a section of their website dedicated to Learning Disability. This is a complicated subject, and trying to find the right advice for you can be hard sometimes. They’ve split our …
- April 22, 2024Stainland library’s SEND coffee mornings offer a safe space for (and led by) parents and carers of children with SEND. It’s an informal and friendly group where you can meet and share experiences and tips with others who get what you’re going through. This is an inclusive group – …
- April 22, 2024Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network to better support its staff, volunteers, and patients with invisible disabilities. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower symbol indicates to people that the wearer may need additional support, help or a little …
- April 22, 2024The Zone, is a new immersive and interactive environment to support individuals and families, located in Huddersfield. Powered by Giants Community Trust, the Multi-sensory zone is a state-of-the-art facility equipped to suit all ages for individuals that will benefit from sensory environments – …
- April 22, 2024Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College, Calderdale’s only secondary special school, is running its annual Summer Sounds musical event on 15th June. Here’s what they have to say about it, plus a link to tickets: SUMMER SOUNDS 2024 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! This year we are going bigger …
- April 22, 2024Contact is an organisation that works for the families of children with disabilities. They have recently published a really useful guide to the transition into adult life and some of the key decisions you might have to make about your child’s future. Here’s an excerpt form the article, …
- April 20, 2024A new Case Study has been published which looks at hoe Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust boosted applications to their newly qualified mental health and learning disability nursing posts. The trust was able to recruit newly qualified nurses from across the country to ensure the places …
- April 15, 2024The Nuffield Trust has published a new report looking at the rapidly growing waiting lists for autism and ADHD assessments. Their analysis reveals what is happening to referrals for autism assessments and prescriptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication in England, and …
- April 8, 2024Purple Patch have a place available on their Halifax Lifelong Learning Programmes – see below for details of the programme and how to apply.…
- March 18, 2024Preventing people with a learning disability from dying too young is a new report by the Nuffield Trust. Around 1.3 million people in England have a learning disability and may need more support to stay in good health. But are they able to get access to the services they are entitled to in order to …
- March 13, 2024Scope is a disability equality charity that operates in England and Wales. They provide a range of practical information and support and maintain a range of campaigns, generally aimed at creating a fairer society. Their website is an excellent source of information. Visit their online support page …
- March 12, 2024The latest Unique Ways newsletter details a busy 12 months ahead for the organisation. Unique Ways is a parent-carer led organisation, offering support, guidance and a range of services to families with disabled children aged 0-25. They’re based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, covering the whole of the …
- March 12, 2024Unique Ways’ 8th Annual Family Voice Conference was held at the Shay Staduim in Halifax last week. To find out more about the day please check out their comprehensive report on their website at https://www.uniqueways.org.uk/family-voice-conference-2024/…
- March 11, 2024A new report is out, titled: Accessing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision for Black and mixed Black heritage children: lived experiences from parents and professionals living in south London Global Black Maternal Health was commissioned to lead a research project to better …
- March 7, 2024The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organisation has launched a new card. This is the new personalised I have hypersensitivity Sunflower card. On the back the card reads: I can experience extreme reactions to sensations such as air, temperature, touch, feel, smell and sound. I may need accommodations …
- March 7, 2024Halifax’s Acapulco Club is running an inclusive SEN Party Night on 25th March. This event designed to be a welcoming space for individuals with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities and their friends, and families. The organisers promise to prioritize creating an inclusive …
- March 7, 2024The Buckland Review of Autism Employment published on 28 February sets out a vision for workplace culture changes to support autistic people to start and stay in work. Here’s the government’s announcement of the publication. Commissioned by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel …
- March 1, 2024Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum (HBDAF) have their Annual General Meeting on Monday 18th March 2024 2.30pm to 4.30pm, in Hebden Bridge Town Hall and by Zoom video link. HBDAF works to improve access for disabled people in the Hebden Bridge area, and meet on the 3rd Monday of each month. In …
- February 28, 2024Calderdale NAS – National Autistic Society – Visit their website for more details, or follow them on Facebook.…
- February 28, 2024Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax, HX1 1QG Sat 9th March 2024 With 9 years of experience providing fun and engaging activities with LEGO bricks, the Bricktopia Team are providing a range of building sessions to support children in the exploration of their imagination. These are intended to be a …
- February 19, 2024Looking for some fun activities this spring? Come along to this Special Olympics session on the 9th April from 10 am to 2:30 pm. See the poster for more details or get in contact to book a space – places are limited!…
- February 19, 2024The National Autistic Society’s Online branches are volunteer-led, for autistic people to reach out and seek peer support for a shared interest, identity or experience. If you are looking to meet like-minded people, make friends, or try a new hobby or interest, why not join one of their new …
- February 12, 2024Mencap have teamed up with Shelter to create accessible resources on housing issues. These resources can be used by people with a learning disability, their families and carers accessing their website or calling their Learning Disability Helpline. The new Easy Read guides include information on: …
- February 12, 2024Come along to Lead the Way’s Chi Chi Fit musical dance classes, starting on the 21st of February at Foundry Street Community Centre. For people with learning disabilities and their carers, this is an inclusive dance class for all abilities, whether people already love to dance or for those …
- February 12, 2024Climbing for All Families Programme’ Celebrating Neuro Diversity’ – with ROKT Foundation Climbing and urban adventure activities for children with special educational needs and their families. Activities will include indoor bouldering, rope climbing, harness swinging and indoor caving. We …
- February 12, 2024‘Family fun and friendships’ – with National Autistic Society Calderdale Branch Calderdale NAS provides monthly family activities to support the social and sensory needs of autistic children and young people. Our youth group offers creative play opportunities for 8-18 year olds in an …
- January 22, 2024Project SEARCH Calderdale is a supported internship for young adults, aged 18-25 with Autism or Learning Difficulties It will be based at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust If you think this maybe a good next step for you or someone you know please drop in to see us at one of their …
- January 22, 2024Magpies 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.…
- January 22, 2024Limitless provide adult day care for people with learning disabilities. The venue is Copley Cricket Club, HX3 0UG.…
- January 15, 2024For more about Magpies, please visit their website.…
- January 12, 2024West Yorkshire NHS’s Health & Care Partnership is planning to reduce the gap in life expectancy for autistic and other neurodiverse people, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health conditions by 10% by 2024. Here’s what they say about their plans (Read more …
- January 8, 2024DFN Project SEARCH is a one-year transition to work programme for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum conditions, or both. Here’s what they say about themselves: Everyone deserves the right to aspire to the very best future, yet only 4.8% of people in England (and 4.1% …
- 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 …