Learning Disability & Neurodiversity – News & Advice

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.org/lifelong-learning/

  • Orange Box Choir For Young LD People
    Orange 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 …
  • Yoga for Kirklees Adults With Learning Disabilities
    Umbrella 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 …
  • Learning Disability Awareness – Picnic in the park
  • Limitless Launch New Additional Needs Youth Group
    Limitless, 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 & …
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    New report on deaths of people with mental ill health, a learning disability or autism
    Family 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 …
  • Webinar: Supported Internships For Young People With SEND
    Spotlight 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 …
  • Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum
    This 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: …
  • Summer Term Courses for Adults (19+) with a Learning Disability
    Calderdale 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 …
  • benefits and money news
    New review to boost employment prospects of autistic people
    A 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 …
  • Autistic & Learning Disability Ambassadors Sought
    The 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 …
  • Limitless Easter Coffee Afternoon – 6th April
    Limitless, 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, …
  • Mind The Gap – Performing Arts For Calderdale Adults With Learning Disabilities
    Get 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 …
  • Purple Patch Arts – Sessions in Halifax For Adults with Learning Disabilities
    Megan 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 …
  • Cooking Course For Adults With Learning Disabilities
    The 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 …
  • accessibility news
    Disability Horizons’ Newsletter
    6 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. …
  • Magpies To Open Saturdays From March
    Magpies 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Preparing for Adulthood In Calderdale For People With a Learning Disability
    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 …
  • Report: Hospital Experiences Of LD & Autistic People
    Experiences 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 …
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    Magpies Outreach Services
    Magpies 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. …
  • Magpies Art Showcase
    Magpies 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. …
  • Introducing Luv2meetU
    Luv2meetU 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…
  • Employers Overlooking Neurodiverse Opportunities
    The 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, …
  • Learning Disability Adult Learning Courses
    Calderdale 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 …
  • consultations
    Learning Disability and Autism Survey
    West 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 …
  • Performing Arts Taster For Adults With Learning Disabilities/Autism.
    Free 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 …
  • Government Learning Disability Support Plan
    Building 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 …
  • New Learning Disabilities Walking Group
    Join 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…
  • News item
    Calderdale Learning Disabilities Partnership Board are looking for a new Co-chair
    If 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 …
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    Lead the Way Newsletter
    Lead 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)…
  • Calderdale news
    Inclusion North Meeting: Reaching out to LD Families
    Inclusion 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: …
  • Calderdale news
    Performing Arts Course for people with learning disabilities/autism
    Mind 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 …
  • Request for Insight: Mental Health, Neurodiversity, Autism and Learning Disabilities
    NHS 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, …
  • Calderdale news
    Arts & Craft For Adults With Learning Disabilities
    Vi 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 …
  • Free Online Course – Understanding Autism
    Understand 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 …
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    New ADHD Group In Calderdale
    A 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, …
  • Five year wait for child autism and ADHD assessments
    Figures 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 …
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    Autism Info Updated
    As 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Lead the Way’s Spring Newsletter & Activity Pack
    Lead 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…
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    Getting your health checked easy read newsletter
    Getting 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 …
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    Disability Rights UK Newsletter
    SEND 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Gardening For Young Adults With Learning Disabilities
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    Five-year NHS autism research strategy for England
    A 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 …
  • Yorkshire & Humber SEND Regional SEND Network Newsletter
    This 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 …
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    Consultation: improve the Transition Service for neurodiverse people
    Your 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 …
  • A guide on what neurodiverse young people feel is important when having an assessment
    A 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 …
  • health & nhs news
    Member Video: living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
    At 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 …
  • Magpies Open Day
    Magpies 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. …
  • Dental Hygiene session for people with Learning Difficulties
    You 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Modern facility supports adults with disabilities in Elland
    A 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 …
  • Birds in Flight Workshops For Adults With Learning Needs
    Creative 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 …
  • accessibility news
    Flexi-Schooling Recommended For SEND Students
    New 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 …
  • Lead The Way Newsletter
    You can download a pdf of the latest Lead the Way newsletter, themed around learning disabilities,  here: LTW January 2022 Email Newsletter…
  • Work With Me Training
    A 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 …
  • Courses for Adults (19+) with a Learning Disability
    Courses 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: …
  • accessibility news
    Disability Rights UK Newsletter
    A 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 …
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    A quarter of autistic children wait over three years for school support
    Disability 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 …
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    People still being denied “Right to choose” their service provider for diagnostic assessments
    Calderdale 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 …
  • Two thirds of UK population clueless about learning disabilities
    A 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Halifax Pantomime – Relaxed and Signed Performances
    https://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 …
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    Asda to roll out ‘Quieter Hour’
    Supermarket 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 …
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    Safe & Autism Friendly Firework Display By West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
    West 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Course: Empowering Parent Carers
  • Calderdale news
    Take a look at what’s coming up at Magpies!
    Did 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Lead The Way Newsletter
    Lead 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Hate Crime Awareness Week: 10-17 October 2021
    To 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Report: Disability Sports Programmes From Calderdale Sports Services
    This 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Learning Disability: Happy Healthy Relationships Workshops
    Cloverleaf 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 …
  • Introducing S4Nd – the Society for neurodiversity
    We’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 …
  • Easy Read Calderdale Adult Learning Timetable
    If 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 …
  • Lead the Way Newsletter
    Here 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…
  • Video: How Sensory Overload Affects Autistic People
    Here’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.…
  • Report: Health inequalities and the impact of Covid-19
    Local 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 …
  • Lead the Way eBulletin
    The 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…
  • New Government strategy to improve the lives of autistic people
    The 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 …
  • Lead the Way eBulletin – July 2021 
    The 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 …
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    Report: The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities
    The 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 …
  • coronavirus news
    The Pandemic’s Toll On People With Learning Disabilities
    This 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Open Letter: Calderdale Disability Organisations On Restriction Easing Concerns
    This 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, …
  • Calderdale news
    Magpies’ Activities: Bowling, Trampolining & More
    Take 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 …
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    Lead The Way Active Lifestyles Virtual Group
    A  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 …
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    Autism in the cinema: The Reason I Jump
    Based 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 …
  • health & nhs news
    Zoom Sessions: Reducing health inequalities in people with learning disabilities
    These 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 …
  • Calderdale news
    Learning Disabilities: Places available to join Magpies
    Places are available to join Magpies; a place to make new friends, learn new skills and create new opportunities for adults with learning disabilities Magpies, based in Halifax, offers a fun and friendly learning environment for adults with learning disabilities. The charity offers a range of fun …
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    Lead The Way – May Newsletter
    Below is a link to download Lead the Way’s ebulletin for May. A couple of the events mentioned in it are coming up very soon, so please hurry if you need to attend. May Bulletin About Lead The Way For anyone anyone over 18 with a learning disability living in Calderdale, and their …
  • coronavirus news
    Advice: Providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities & autism
    This Government guidance is for anyone who provides unpaid care, such as friends or family, to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults. It has been updated in line with the latest easing of lockdown regulations. The guidance will help people with caring responsibilities to: keep …
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    Lead the Way Newsletter
    Here is the latest ebulletin from Lead the Way which as usual incudes lots of useful information and links. Click on the image to download the pdf newsletter.…
  • News item
    New Look For Pennine Magpie – Now “Magpies”
    Pennine Magpie have re-branded themselves “Magpies” – they will continue to offer a place to make new friends, learn new skills and create new opportunities but with a new modern look. The organisation has been helping adults with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling lives for …
  • Calderdale news
    Lead the Way February 2021 eBulletin
    The latest Lead the Way eBulletin is out with helpful resources for clients and carers, organisations that can support you and information on their online sessions. Download Lead The Way February 2021 eBulletin…
  • News item
    Autism & Learning Disability “Grab & Go” Guide
    If you need to go to hospital it is useful to have a Grab and Go guide about your support needs. It is a bit like a hospital passport. It has information about you on it that doctors need- that they can read really quickly. It tells them if you are autistic or have a learning disability- and what …
  • News item
    Autism: Government Agree To review Mental Health Act
    This week, The National Autistic Society announced some excellent news – here’s their press release on the subject : For years, we have been campaigning to change the law on mental health in England and Wales. At the moment, the law allows people to be sectioned because they are …
  • Calderdale news
    Lead The Way E-Bulletin
    The latest Lead the Way e-Bulletin is out with lots of information for young people with learning disabilities and for their parents and carers. Topics covered in this edition include the flu jab and hate crime, with links to take you to easy read explanations and further information on these …
  • Pennine Magpie Lockdown Highlights Video
    Pennine Magpie have put a short film together with highlights of what they have been up to while in lockdown. See how they have flourished during these challenging times! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHoguyQelWU&feature=youtu.be The doors to our centre may have temporarily closed, but …
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    Learning Disabilities Newsletter
    Here’s a download of the latest Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Update. The introduction sets the scene: We hope you are all keeping ok under the current circumstances. As with a lot of other things we have moved to a remote way of working as we are currently unable to meet face to …
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    New service connects neurodivergent people in Calderdale
    People in Calderdale who are neurodivergent may become increasingly isolated and vulnerable during the current Covid-19 crisis. In response to this a new service has been launched. Keeping Neurodivergent People Connected aims to support local autistic and other neurodivergent people during the …
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    Keeping Neurodivergent People Connected
    Keeping Neurodivergent People Connected is a new regional project funded by Inclusion North and the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Care Partnership. The aim of the project is to reach out to adults with Autism, ADHD or a mild learning disability who have little or no support and provide regular …
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    ‘Keeping Neurodivergent People Connected’ project
    Many people with will become increasingly vulnerable during the current Covid-19 crisis. In response to this the new ‘Keeping Neurodivergent People Connected’ project is being launched with a focus on people who are routinely not known to services or accessing support. It is co-ordinated by the …
  • Pennine Magpie Facebook Support Group
    During this difficult time while Pennine Magpie are unable to open their centre, thay really want to be able to keep supporting their students and our wider community. So, they would like to invite you to join the Pennine Magpie Coronavirus Support Group on Facebook. The group has been created to …
  • health & nhs news
    Report: Improving services for adults with autism in Calderdale
    This report from Healthwatch Calderdale highlights a range of issues faced by adults in Calderdale who have, or who are seeking, a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (ASC). It outlines recent improvements to services, including the commissioning of a diagnostic pathway, and the funding of …