Latest News – February 2025.
Conference about financial support
This is a big, one-off event for parent carers of children and young people with additional needs in Sheffield. Pop in at any time to find out about disability benefits, discounts on utility bills, holiday grants and lots more. Visit information stalls run by local organisations (see a list here), listen to interesting presentations and enjoy a FREE lunch.
You could be £££ better off as a result!
9:30am – 2:30pm Friday 28th Feb 2025
Niagara Conference and Leisure Centre,
Niagara Road, Sheffield, S6 1LU
Please note, this event is not suitable for children. Book your place
Gateway social clubs
My name is Laura Zielosko and I am the Service manager for Gateway here at Sheffield Mencap and Gateway. We run our popular Gateway social clubs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Gateway clubs are welcoming and fun. They are a space for adults with learning disabilities or autism to come along, meet up with friends and make new ones. Our coffee bar and disco are relaxed spaces to socialise in, have a drink and a dance, and maybe even take part in the bingo! We also run baking and art activities at Gateway club for those who want to learn or practice their skills.
Our Monday and Wednesday groups are for age 30+, and Tuesday evenings are for age 18-30. Please contact Laura for more details at laurazielosko@sheffieldmencap.org.uk
Sheffield City Council Autism Festival
The Sheffield City Council Autism Festival is planned for 13 to 15 April (during World Autism Acceptance Month). There will be talks , information sessions and lots of activities. We will keep you informed once we have more details!
Waiting for an Autism Diagnostic Assessment
The Sheffield Autism Research Lab are carrying out a piece of research around people’s experiences of waiting for a diagnostic assessment and are looking to recruit paid volunteers to talk to them about this.
The invitation letter here goes into great detail about the opportunity and has all the information you need to be able to ask questions or express your interest in taking part.
The Stimming Pool film
The Stimming Pool is an experimental—at times fantastical—hybrid feature film, co-created by a collective of autistic artists, the Neurocultures Collective, and filmmaker Steven Eastwood, who invite you into a neurodiverse world within the undulating logic of neurotypical environments.
Given the subject matter of the film we are very keen to make sure that everyone with an interest in autism and neurodiversity knows about the film and the screenings, tickets for which are already on sale:
https://www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/thestimmingpool
Wednesday Night Club for dads and male carers (March)
The Wednesday Night Club is an evening drop-in session for men who are caring for a child or young person with SEND. No diagnosis is required. This is an informal session where you can have a coffee, a game of snooker or just a chat in a friendly and inclusive environment.
7:00pm – 9:00pm Wednesday 12th March
Stephen Harrison Snooker Rooms,
Leeds Road, Sheffield, S9 3TY
If you want to attend, you don’t need to book. Just turn up, and you’ll receive a warm welcome from our volunteers Andy, James and Toby!
Sheffield Parent Carer Forum sessions February
Booking essential
For full information of places and times etc and to book any event please click on the link Events | Sheffield Parent Carer Forum
Information Sessions:
ONLINE: Neurodivergence and anxiety (25 Feb)
IN PERSON: Introduction to demand avoidance (27 Feb)
IN PERSON: Neurodivergence and eating (5 March)
ONLINE: Supporting your child with SEND – trauma informed practice (10 March)
IN PERSON: Speak up! (11 March) )
Peer support:
IN PERSON: Parent Carer Support Group (28 Feb)
IN PERSON: Peer Support drop-in session (3 March)
IN PERSON: Peer Support drop-in session (10 March)