Advocacy
- Dimensions UK
They support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives. - VoiceAbility – formerly Advocacy Partners Speak Up
VoiceAbility work across England with people who are vulnerable or marginalised to raise their voices and have their rights respected.
Arts activities
- ArtRoom Sandbach
A creative space offering a range of arts & craft activities for the public. Also specialist courses designed to improve health and wellbeing. - Broad Street Project
The centre provides sports, arts, social and leisure opportunities for children and young adults with a disability.
Autism and Asperger syndrome
- Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism is a national charity dedicated to improving opportunities for people with autism. - Autism and Dental Care
A dental care resource guide, which focuses on helping parents and caregivers understand dental care issues their children with special needs (particularly Autism) may be going through. With the help of Dr. Greg Grillo at Dentably. - Dimensions UK
They support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives. - Therapy Dogs
Is a therapy dog right for your child with autism? - What is Autism Video
looking at practical skills for supporting people with autism - What life is like for Matt, with a child with a diagnosis of autism
Matt Davis’ blog about life with his son Isaac
Blogroll
- Cheshire East substance misuse service – young people's service
Information about two centres in Cheshire East
Bullying and peer abuse
- Anti-bullying Alliance
The Anti-bullying Alliance is a coalition of organisations and individuals working together to stop bullying and create safe environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. - Antibullying Network
The Anti-Bullying Network is an independent operation with the following objectives: •to support anti-bullying work in schools; •and to offer an anti-bullying service which will include the provision of training, publications and consultancy services - Bully Busters
BullyBusters can help and support children, young people, parents or professionals who are having difficulties dealing with bullying. - Bullying advice from government for parents and carers
- Bullying UK
This website is part of Family Lives, a national charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life. - CEOP
To report suspected abuse and exploitation - Childline
Support, advice and someone to talk to for children and young people - Get Safe Online
How to protect yourself, your computers and mobiles device and your business against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online, including how to help your child stay safe. - Kidscape
From their website: Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape believes that protecting children from harm is key. - Kooth
It is a safe online place where young people can get help, advice & support with anything that’s causing stress, hardship or embarrassment: - NSPCC
All sorts of information is available here, including: what to do if you’re worried about a child, keeping a child safe, the support services for children and families. - Respect Me
Respect Me is Scotland’s anti-bullying service which has a lot of interesting information. - Safer Internet Centre
Where you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.
Disability
- Disability Inclusion in the Workplace
The Definitive Guide to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace - Scope
A national charity – the website has information about different disabilities.
Down Syndrome
- Down Syndrome and Dental Care
A dental care resource guide, which focuses on helping parents and caregivers understand dental care issues their children with Down Syndrome may be going through. With the help of Dr. Greg Grillo at Dentably. - Down Syndrome Association
Here you will find answers to questions that we are often asked about Down’s syndrome.
Dyslexia
- Dyslexia Action website
Dyslexia Action is a national charity that takes action to change the lives of people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.
Funding for individuals with additional needs
- ACT Foundation
ACT provides grants to individuals and other charities, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for disabled people in need (specifically with learning or physical disablilities). - Boparan Charitable Trust
Grants available for children with disabilities, life-limiting illnesses and those who are in extreme poverty across the UK. Individual help and support to children and their families including grants for equipment. - Family Fund
The UK’s largest provider of grants to low-income families raising disabled and seriously ill children and young people – help with essential items such as washing machines, fridges and holidays - FDR Law Foundation
Support for children and their families because of ill health, disability, financial hardship or another disadvantage - Happy Days Children's Charity
Supportive breaks like trips to the seaside, theatres, zoos, museums, outdoor activity centres, sporting events and other educational and cultural activities, to children living with mental, physical and emotional difficulties. - New Life Charity
provides essential equipment for sick and disabled children when funding is not available from statutory services - Steve Morgan Foundation Enable funding
They provide support for people of all ages in financial hardship, who are in need of specialist equipment. In Cheshire East, only applications from Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach and Middlewich considered. - True Colours Trust
The True Colours Trust launched a small grants programme for young people between the ages of 18 to 26 who have a disability and/or complex health care need. Applications can be for household items etc
General
- Breakthrough UK
Breakthrough UK Ltd is a disabled people’s organisation which aims to promote the independence and integration of disabled people into society. They are based in Manchester. - Childline
Support, advice and someone to talk to for children and young people - Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Services in Cheshire East provide free, confidential and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects including benefits, debt, housing and relationships. - Disability Information Bureau (DIB)
The Disability Information Bureau, staffed by volunteers with first hand experience of disability, provides a free and confidential service on all aspects of disability to disabled people, carers, friends and professionals - Family Holiday Association
The charity that gives people a break – they offer disadvantages families the chance to get away from home. - GoHenry debit card
A debit card for young people which is “pre-loaded” and can be monitored by parents - Home Farm Trust (HFT)
Supporting learning disabled people to live the best life they can - Karen's Page
Information for families and supporters of people with a learning disability about problems they may encounter with the health services, social care etc. - Live Well Cheshire East
A directory of useful information and services in Cheshire East. - Mencap
Mencap works with people with a learning disability to change laws, challenge prejudice and support them to live their lives as they choose. - Sibs for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults
Sibs is the only UK charity representing the needs of siblings of disabled people. - Special Guardianship
The Family Rights Group has produced a factsheet which provides advice to kinship carers on how to apply for a Special Guardianship Order. - The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) website
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector in England, with links to other UK nations. - The Family Fund
A large provider of grants to low-income families raising disabled and seriously ill children and young people. They help ease the additional pressures families face. They can help with essential items such as washing machines, fridges and clothing but - Young Sibs
For brothers and sisters of disabled children
General activities for children and young people
- Accessible toys – advice
Toys for children with physical or learning disabilities need to be safe for them to use and suitable for their particular needs. Non-specialist toys can be suitable, but you do need to make sure they are safe for your child to play with. - Fuzzy Ed's
Fun house and soft play for 0-12 year olds - Kidsguide
Source of information about a huge range of activities, for parents and carers in Cheshire - Ruby's Fund
Ruby’s Fund is a fully inclusive sensory centre and social cafe for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs. - Saturday Club
Monthly club for children with Downs Syndrome, held at Elim Church
Health
- Addaction young people's services
Providing friendly and expert advice on drugs and alcohol for young people aged 10 to 17. - Autism and Dental Care
A dental care resource guide, which focuses on helping parents and caregivers understand dental care issues their children with special needs (particularly Autism) may be going through. With the help of Dr. Greg Grillo at Dentably. - Cheshire East substance misuse service – young people's service
Information about two centres in Cheshire East - Down Syndrome and Dental Care
A dental care resource guide, which focuses on helping parents and caregivers understand dental care issues their children with Down Syndrome may be going through. With the help of Dr. Greg Grillo at Dentably. - Home Farm Trust (HFT)
Supporting learning disabled people to live the best life they can - Karen's Page
Information for families and supporters of people with a learning disability about problems they may encounter with the health services, social care etc. - Turner Syndrome Support Society
Support for girls and women with Turner Syndrome. - Well Child
A national charity for children with serious or complex health needs
Holidays
- Happy Days Children's Charity
Supportive breaks like trips to the seaside, theatres, zoos, museums, outdoor activity centres, sporting events and other educational and cultural activities, to children living with mental, physical and emotional difficulties. - Manchester Airport guide to disabled facilities
Provides information and help for those travelling with a disability or special needs.
Learning and Employment
- Breakthrough UK
Breakthrough UK Ltd is a disabled people’s organisation which aims to promote the independence and integration of disabled people into society. They are based in Manchester. - Bren Project
The Bren Project is a charitable organisation offering people with learning disabilities the opportunity to experience supportive work placements throughout Cheshire. - Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Services in Cheshire East provide free, confidential and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects including benefits, debt, housing and relationships. - Disability Inclusion in the Workplace
The Definitive Guide to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace - Good Schools Guide
Guide to schools in the state and private sector. - Great with Disability
Information about disability and work – from the employee and the employer perspective - National Star
College offering residential and community-based courses for disabled people - Supported Community Business (Special Needs)
Based in Crewe, its aim is to introduce those with a disability into the world of work in a safe and controlled situation - We Connect Now
We Connect Now is dedicated to uniting people interested in rights and issues affecting people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment issues.
LGBT+
- The Proud Trust
The Proud Trust is the home of LGBT+ and youth.
Mental wellbeing
- ArtRoom Sandbach
A creative space offering a range of arts & craft activities for the public. Also specialist courses designed to improve health and wellbeing. - Books on prescription
Self-help books for 13 to 18 year olds on mental health - Childline
Support, advice and someone to talk to for children and young people - Counselling Directory
A nationwide database of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. This is a service which must be paid for. - Inner Trust
Counselling and music workshops. - PAPYRUS
PAPYRUS is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. - Visyon
Visyon supports the emotional health of children, young people and their families - You In Mind
Directory of resources for people looking for support with mental health problems
On-line safety
- Advice sites published by Childnet
This document lists many sources of advice and guidance about staying safe online - Cheshire Constabulary guide to internet safety for 7-11 year olds
The police have put together this presentation about online safety for children - Friendbook Discussion Questions
Questions to prompt discussion about keeping safe when using social networking sites. Use with the Friendbook document shown below. - Friendbook page
This is an imaginery friendbook, social media page showing things for discussion. Use to go through the discussion questions in Friendpage Discussion Questions - Get Safe Online
How to protect yourself, your computers and mobiles device and your business against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online, including how to help your child stay safe. - Safer Internet Centre
Where you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet. - Think U Know
A whole lot of articles and guidance on all aspects of child internet safety - UK Internet Safety Centre
Where you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet. - Webcam factsheet
Do you chat to people online you’ve never met? Do you chat to them on webcam? Do you share pics you only want some people to see? If you do, you need to know how to keep yourself safe on screen.Here are some tips on how to do so.
Relationships
- Domestic Abuse – Cheshire East Council helpline
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub (CEDAH) is a single point of contact, information, and consultation,.. for families affected by domestic abuse and those who support them – formally or informally. - Luv2MeetU
Dating and friendship agency for learning disabled people, working nationally, includin West Cheshire. - Sibs for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults
Sibs is the only UK charity representing the needs of siblings of disabled people.
Social Activities
- Cheshire Centre for Independent Living
Good Company is a social group for disabled adults aged 19+. - Family Holiday Association
The charity that gives people a break – they offer disadvantages families the chance to get away from home. - Home Farm Trust (HFT)
Supporting learning disabled people to live the best life they can - Live Well Cheshire East
A directory of useful information and services in Cheshire East. - Luv2MeetU
Dating and friendship agency for learning disabled people, working nationally, includin West Cheshire. - Ruby's Fund
Ruby’s Fund is a fully inclusive sensory centre and social cafe for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs. - Saturday Club
Monthly club for children with Downs Syndrome, held at Elim Church
Someone to talk to
- Childline
Support, advice and someone to talk to for children and young people - Counselling Directory
A nationwide database of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. This is a service which must be paid for. - Domestic Abuse – Cheshire East Council helpline
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub (CEDAH) is a single point of contact, information, and consultation,.. for families affected by domestic abuse and those who support them – formally or informally. - Dove Service
The Dove Service offers counselling and support to those struggling with the impact of bereavement, significant loss, or life changing/limiting illness. - Kooth
It is a safe online place where young people can get help, advice & support with anything that’s causing stress, hardship or embarrassment: - Visyon
Visyon supports the emotional health of children, young people and their families
Specialist Services
- 3LCare
3LCare offers care for children and adults. Their homes are designed to address the needs of people with complex health care needs and learning disabilities, including Acquired Brain Injury. They offer residential care, hydrotherapy, daycare services, s - Addaction young people's services
Providing friendly and expert advice on drugs and alcohol for young people aged 10 to 17. - Autism and Dental Care
A dental care resource guide, which focuses on helping parents and caregivers understand dental care issues their children with special needs (particularly Autism) may be going through. With the help of Dr. Greg Grillo at Dentably. - Barnardos Advocacy Service
There is a growing recognition of the importance of advocacy for children and young people when plans are being made for their lives. Barnardos offer to listen to the wishes of children and young people. - Breakthrough UK
Breakthrough UK Ltd is a disabled people’s organisation which aims to promote the independence and integration of disabled people into society. They are based in Manchester. - Cheshire East substance misuse service – young people's service
Information about two centres in Cheshire East - Dimensions UK
They support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives. - Domestic Abuse – Cheshire East Council helpline
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub (CEDAH) is a single point of contact, information, and consultation,.. for families affected by domestic abuse and those who support them – formally or informally. - Down Syndrome and Dental Care
A dental care resource guide, which focuses on helping parents and caregivers understand dental care issues their children with Down Syndrome may be going through. With the help of Dr. Greg Grillo at Dentably. - Home Farm Trust (HFT)
Supporting learning disabled people to live the best life they can - Ruby's Fund
Ruby’s Fund is a fully inclusive sensory centre and social cafe for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs. - Shine, supporting people with spina bifida
Shine provides specialist support from before birth and throughout the life of anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional care staff. - Sibs for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults
Sibs is the only UK charity representing the needs of siblings of disabled people. - Tourettes Action
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited, neurological condition, the key features of which are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements. - You In Mind
Directory of resources for people looking for support with mental health problems
Sports activities
- Aquarius Swimming Club, Sandbach
A recreational, non-competitive swimming club with a relaxed and informal environment, where the emphasis and atmosphere are based on the healthy benefits of swimming and exercise, alongside the opportunity to mix with new and existing friends. - Broad Street Project
The centre provides sports, arts, social and leisure opportunities for children and young adults with a disability. - Disability Sports
Disability Sports is a website dedicated to the better sport facilities and opportunities for people with all types of disability. - Everybody Sport and Recreation
A wide range of sport activities for disabled people. - Level Water
Getting physically disabled children swimming. They don’t teach learning disabled children. - Macclesfield Seals
A swimming club for disabled people, families, carers and volunteers. - Winsford Turtles
Swimming sessions for disabled people from about 10 years upwards.
Staying Safe
- CEOP
To report suspected abuse and exploitation - Domestic Abuse – Cheshire East Council helpline
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub (CEDAH) is a single point of contact, information, and consultation,.. for families affected by domestic abuse and those who support them – formally or informally. - NSPCC
All sorts of information is available here, including: what to do if you’re worried about a child, keeping a child safe, the support services for children and families. - NSPCC Sexual Abuse Campaign
Information about the NSPCC The Underwear Rule campaign to help parents talk to their children about sexual abuse. The campaign offers materials for parents to download. - Safer Internet Centre
Where you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.
Support
- 3LCare
3LCare offers care for children and adults. Their homes are designed to address the needs of people with complex health care needs and learning disabilities, including Acquired Brain Injury. They offer residential care, hydrotherapy, daycare services, s - Breakthrough UK
Breakthrough UK Ltd is a disabled people’s organisation which aims to promote the independence and integration of disabled people into society. They are based in Manchester. - CEIAS – Cheshire East Information, Advice and Support
CEIAS offers free confidential and impartial information, advice and support to parents and carers of young people aged 0 – 25 who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) as well as young people themselves. - Childline
Support, advice and someone to talk to for children and young people - Counselling Directory
A nationwide database of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. This is a service which must be paid for. - Domestic Abuse – Cheshire East Council helpline
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub (CEDAH) is a single point of contact, information, and consultation,.. for families affected by domestic abuse and those who support them – formally or informally. - Kidscape
From their website: Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. Kidscape believes that protecting children from harm is key. - Kooth
It is a safe online place where young people can get help, advice & support with anything that’s causing stress, hardship or embarrassment: - NSPCC
All sorts of information is available here, including: what to do if you’re worried about a child, keeping a child safe, the support services for children and families. - Parachute Drop In
A drop-in centre for adults with learning disabilities and additional needs. - Shine, supporting people with spina bifida
Shine provides specialist support from before birth and throughout the life of anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional care staff. - The Family Fund
A large provider of grants to low-income families raising disabled and seriously ill children and young people. They help ease the additional pressures families face. They can help with essential items such as washing machines, fridges and clothing but - We Connect Now
We Connect Now is dedicated to uniting people interested in rights and issues affecting people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment issues. - Well Child
A national charity for children with serious or complex health needs - What is Autism Video
looking at practical skills for supporting people with autism - You In Mind
Directory of resources for people looking for support with mental health problems
Transition to Adulthood
- GoHenry debit card
A debit card for young people which is “pre-loaded” and can be monitored by parents - Parachute Drop In
A drop-in centre for adults with learning disabilities and additional needs. - Supported Community Business (Special Needs)
Based in Crewe, its aim is to introduce those with a disability into the world of work in a safe and controlled situation