Support groups, clubs and more

Regular support groups

Parent and Carer Autism Support Group – Seaton

The Seaton Parent/Carer Autism Support Group meet on the last Monday of the month, 1:30-3:00 pm at the Re:Store Café (formerly Seaton Waffle). It is open to all parents/carers/family members with a child who either has an autism diagnosis, is on a waiting list or it is a pathway you are thinking may be needed for your child. Its an informal, friendly meet up to chat in a safe, non judgemental environment with a group of others who can offer empathy and also any advice from their experiences.

Next meeting: Monday 24 February

For more information, visit the Seaton Parent/Carer & Adult Autism support group page on Facebook or contact Danni directly by emailing her danielle.stapley@hotmail.com

Walk & Talk SEN families in and around Exeter

‘A place to meet other families on a similar journey’

Families meet once a month on a Sunday. The next meet is at Darts Farm EX3 0QH on Sunday 9 March at 3pm.

For more information, please contact Sarah on 07875 841301 or search on Facebook for Walk & Talk – SEN families

YES Centre Barnstaple Drop In Sessions

Young Devon have opened a Youth Enquiry Service (YES) in Barnstaple. It will be open until March 2025.

The YES centre (Youth Enquiry Service) has Open Access Drop in sessions where anyone 11-25 years can get advice on housing, mental health support, advocacy, sexual health etc.

Monday 2.00pm-5.00pm Open access drop in session
Tuesday 1.00pm-3pm Young Devon FREE Art/Craft/Wellbeing activities- Open access drop in session
Thursday 3.00pm-6.00pm Open access drop in session
Friday 12.00pm-3.00pm Open access drop in session
Friday 3.30pm-6.00pm SPACE (closed sessions)

SPACE are offering Friday closed sessions working with a group of around 6 young people aged 11-19 (referral needed).
Small groups will be given the opportunity to engage in a 6-8 week programme delivered from the YES centre once a week. The programme will be designed to build confidence and resilience while encouraging young people to try new activities and build supportive friendships within the group. Once the group have developed new skills in this area they will be supported by their youth worker to attend an appropriate Open access youth work session at Georgies Youth Centre.

Would you like to make friends and get involved? Does Youth Club seem too overwhelming for you? How about joining one of our Wellbeing groups? These groups are for around 6 young people with two youth support workers who will help you gain confidence and develop the skills you need to move on to Youth Club with the new friends you have made.

For more information please email BarnstapleYES@youngdevon.org

Ivybridge, South Brent & Buckfastleigh Parent Carers SEND Coffee Mornings

Next dates TBC

Old School Community Centre, South Brent, Devon TQ10 9BP

Drop in any time between 9:30 and 11:30 for a supportive chat and a treasure trove of good advice. Don’t struggle alone. Join this friendly group and enjoy a coffee/tea, cake and a space to meet fellow parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs or disabilities.

For more information please email ivybrentbuck@gmail.com

YA Book Club – Tiverton Library

Monthly book club for 11-14s at Tiverton Library. Chat about your favourite reads and find new authors. Free drinks and snacks!

Visit the Libraries Unlimited Eventbrite page to book your free slot

North Devon Forum for Autistic Spectrum Conditions and ADHD

Coffee Mornings

Roundswell Community Centre, Barnstaple (next to Sainsbury’s) EX31 3NL
Starts at 10.00am (please do not arrive before as we are still setting up) to 12.30 – we can provide parking permits if needed.
Since Covid we have not been bringing the books held in the library, nor the resource items . If you require a book just ask and we will sort it out.

The cost is £1.50 which includes a tea / coffee / squash and a wrapped biscuit – often a top up is had. You do not have to be a member to attend, come along and sound us out to see what we are about. Take the opportunity to show your proof of diagnosis to a Trustee if you do not wish to go on line with it. It is an ideal opportunity to chat to others in similar circumstances, gain and give information.

Since Covid our numbers have dropped from about 30 to 10 / 14 (which includes the 3+ trustees). If anyone has a possible speaker and on what topic please let us know their contact details. We meet at 10, the speaker has the floor at 11am and speaks for about 15 minutes then a Q & A session, often those attending take the opportunity to have a quiet chat.

Before stepping down as Trustees due to other commitments Louisa and Keith attended and were ably helped by Keith’s mother Shirley in the kitchen. If anyone wishes to help as a volunteer please make contact with a Trustee to join – this is an ideal start as a volunteer / trustee. We have to carry out paperwork even for volunteers to ensure all H&S guidelines are followed which protects all sides.

Children are welcome at these events – especially in school holiday time – may we suggest they bring something to keep themselves occupied during the morning, even more so if we have a speaker.

Dates:

27 February
27 March
24 April
22 May
26 June
24 July
28 August
25 September
23 October
27 November
NONE IN DECEMBER

AIMS Group for children with Special Needs and their families.

AIMS (Activities, Interests, Music, Support) exists to provide support to those families who have children with different needs. It meets every Saturday from 11am to 2pm to provide a safe and fun place for children to play and for their parents to meet, chat and share experiences. If they come once a week, once a month, or just to the outings, it is essential that the families do not lose sight of the fact that it is their group. Their opinions and enthusiasm mould the group and its direction is guided by their input.

AIMS operates the free Saturday “drop in” group at Oaklands Park School in Dawlish from 11.00 to 2.00pm, where paid play leaders and volunteers offer craft, cooking, music, games and a great outdoor space for letting off steam!

Visit the AIMS website to find out more.

Parental Minds

Parental Minds gives support to families who are struggling with their mental health. They believe that the parental voice is vital when families are living with mental health issues. They offer a safe place for Parents/Caregivers to be heard and somewhere to exchange ideas, hints and tips with other Parents/Caregivers.

You can learn more from their website https://www.parentalminds.org.uk/ which includes resources, counselling services, events, and more.

Hubs can be attended in the following areas:

Honiton: Every Monday, The Wine Bar, 11.00 – 13.00
Exeter: Every Tuesday, John Lewis Community Room, 10.00 – 12.00.
Sidmouth: Every Wednesday, Port Royal Sailing Club, 10.30 – 12.30.
Online: Zoom, every Thursday, 13.30 – 14.30

There are Facebook pages Parents can join:

Main Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PPSHUB
Private forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/610844532880490

Digi Dads Connect

Action for Children, Devon Children’s services are offering digital drop in sessions for male carers via Microsoft Teams.

The monthly sessions are from 7pm – 8pm on Mondays.

Next date is TBC

These are informal, friendly drop in sessions that will give you the chance to discuss topics that are important to you and your family. They will give you the opportunity to get support from other male carers in Devon with the assistance of a Family Practitioner.

To book your place on any of the sessions Booking for Devon Digi Dad’s Connect Drop In Page

Support Group for Parents in Teignmouth

There is a new parent-led group starting in Teignmouth.

It will be held at The Alice Cross Centre from 7th Sept – 10.30am -12pm every Thursday until the end of term, but not during school holidays. Tea and coffee will be provided. This group is for parents/carers of children who are experiencing challenges to give you the opportunity to meet others, share tips/advice and have time to talk. No sign up is required, just pop along.

WayMakers AFAB Group Barnstaple

Wednesdays 1:00pm-2:30pm (during term time)

There are a few places available in this term’s AFAB Group, meeting in Barnstaple during term-time. These sessions offer autistic teen girls and those assigned a female gender at birth the chance to:

Meet other autistic teens with whom they might share experiences in a comfortable and calm space.
Offer and benefit from peer support: support and advice from each other might feel more relevant and helpful than the support they get from adults.
Connect socially, providing the opportunity to make new friends.
Enjoy shared activities, games and informal chats.
Be supported by adults with expertise in working with autistic people.
Meet occasional visitors with some connection to your experiences or offers of available support. Visitor opportunities are discussed and agreed as a group.

For those aged 14-19, no diagnosis necessary. £3 voluntary contribution per week. Sessions must be booked in advance and payable online via the booking page:
https://bookwhen.com/waymakers Password: WayMakersAFAB

Specially arranged activities taking place outdoors will be communicated about separately and may carry an additional cost. Activities are optional. Sessions will be held at Early Nourishment CIC Ground Floor, Church House, Church Lane, Barnstaple. EX31 1DE on Wednesdays from 13:00–14:30.

Headlight Peer Support Groups

Headlight Peer Support Groups offer peer support group sessions and the 1-2-1 support that goes alongside. Headlight’s peer-support model enables young people to meet others experiencing similar issues in a welcoming, non-judgemental space and enables them to build healthy relationships with peers, support network, family and community. Young people have the opportunity to speak up, share, give and receive support.

The groups are running in Seaton on Tuesdays at Waffle Seaton (beside Seaton Hospital), Ottery on Wednesdays 6-8pm at The Station Youth Centre and Axminster on Thursdays 6-8pm at Pippin’s Community Centre

Youth Arts and Health Trust – Alongside You

Alongside You is a support group for parents who have a child struggling with their mental health. Two Arts Therapists will offer 8 weekly online sessions on Mondays from 17:30-18:45.

Themes explored are likely to include:

how we might best help a child/young person
how we look after ourselves
communication and relationships
identity
trauma and the body
self-harm
suicidal thoughts
planning for safety
accessing services

Please email: info@youthartsandhealth.org to be sent more information and a booking form.

Places are limited.

Esteem Team Parent Carer CATCH (Coffee and Tea, Chat and Help)

Parent/Carer social and peer support sessions.

Wednesday mornings (term time) from 9:30-11:30

Scott Drive Church, 39 Scott Drive, Exmouth, EX8 3LF (Car parking available at the rear of the church)

For further information and updates, follow the Esteem Team Parent Carer Support on Facebook.

Neurodiverse Parenting Support Group

This support group is for parents of neurodivergent children including autistic, ADHD, PDA, SPD in West Devon, and offers face to face meetings.

2nd Thursday of the month 10:00 – 11:30 term time. Okehampton College Community Centre

For more information telephone either Allyson on 07808 523111 or Heather on 07546 258403.

Email heather@communitylinks-sw.co.uk

To find out more visit the Community Links SW website

Aspirations Group

South Devon Aspergers Group was formed during 2003 to provide a missing link for parents of children suffering from ADHD, Aspergers and Autism. It is a place where parents can come, talk and discuss problems with likeminded people, sharing ideas and experiences, whilst offering children with any of the aforementioned conditions the freedom to express themselves through play and play worker sessions, and of course not forgetting activities laid on for siblings to have some fun!

Every Tuesday 4:30 – 6:45 PM for Ages 5 to 18

Kingsteignton Youth Centre, Broadway Road, Kingsteignton TQ12 3EH

(Generally during term time but please refer to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/asperationsgroup/ for more up-to-date information)

Short Breaks Coffee Mornings

The Short Breaks Project is working to improve the short breaks offer for disabled children and their families.

And as part of this work, they are working alongside Parent Carer Forum Devon to host a series of coffee mornings for parents and carers so that you can talk directly to them about your experiences of the service.

Several in-person sessions, primarily aimed at parents and carers, will be taking place between now and Christmas.

Please see the SEND Local Offer website for full dates and details, including how to book.

Cranbrook Community SEND Support Project

Cranbrook Community Support project is for families with children who have additional needs. The aim is to provide a support group in a safe place where parents can meet other parents, share their experiences, and talk with others in a similar situation. The project is run by Sam Wells, Ambassador Volunteer and Nurse Naomi Cranbrook Medical Practice.

All family members and children welcome. No diagnosis required.

St Martins Primary, 1st Friday of the month

Community Hub, Cranbrook Education Campus 3rd Friday of the month

For more information:

Email cranbrooksendproject@btinternet.com
WhatsApp Cranbrook Community SEND on 07359 067788
Arrange a call back by leaving a message on 01392 462013

Activities and clubs

Youth Programmes at St John Ambulance

Badgers
Anyone aged 5 to 10 years old can join a Badger Sett – after school clubs which operate throughout England. At Badgers it’s all about fun, adventure and learning first aid.

Cadets
Young people aged 10 to 17 can join one of our Cadet units, which operate throughout England. These are a great way for young people to take part in volunteer work and learn valuable life skills.

Visit the St Johns Ambulance Youth Programmes page to find out more.

Starlings Drama and Arts Programme

Starlings is an inclusive drama and arts programme for young people with additional needs, their siblings and others.

Currently running in Buckfastleigh, South Devon, but looking to branch out into other parts of Devon

Starlings strength is its inclusive approach and we warmly welcome families who have children with and without additional needs.

Places are limited so need to be pre-booked. Please call Laura on 07500 016 173 or email her at laura@jakalory.org.uk to find out more or to reserve places.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG)

Create Our Space (COS) is THG’s new youth-led project.

Age 12 – 16? Join our Masterpieces Youth Group. Experiment with different art forms in each session. Every other Wednesday during term time. Next meet up is 26th October, 5-7pm. Please email us for more details or to join COS at info@thelmahulbert.com

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Honiton, Devon EX14 1LX

Tel:01404 45006 Email:info@thelmahulbert.com

Space Youth Services

Space Youth Services have 9 youth centres which are kitted out to provide not only a safe Space to be yourself and meet friends, but to get inspired for your future. If you ever need to talk to a youth worker about anything you like, there will be Space for that too!

Newton Abbot, The Station
Exeter, The 100 Club
Exmouth, The Hive
Totnes, Rushbrook
Tiverton, Tiverton Youth Centre
Bideford, Bideford Youth Centre
Barnstaple, Georgies
Okehampton, Room 13 Youth Centre
Ottery St Mary, The Station Ottery Youth Centre
Online Youth Centre, Discord

Find out more about what Space Youth Services can offer.

Space SEND Youth Services

Block Club (Exmouth)
Tuesdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Our session for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, Ages 13+. There’s always loads to do, with art and music being particular favourites! With termly themes including independent living skills, personal safety, building confidence and more, this is a great space for young people who may struggle to engage in one of our busier clubs. Please contact us for more info:

Phone: 01395 224 259

Email: thehiveyc@spacepsm.org

Location: 61 Imperial Road, Exmouth,
Devon EX8 1AX

No Limits (Newton Abbot)
Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:30PM

This is a session for ages 11-19 with special educational needs and disabilities. We have a lot of fun on Tuesday’s and a huge variety of activities, like cooking, air hockey, arts, parachute games, music and other workshops. We learn about various topics such as life-skills and how to get on with each other (even if you don’t like everything about someone) to show that we are all unique.

Phone: 01626 369 283

FB/Instagram: @thestationspace

Email: thestationyc@spacepsm.org

Location: The Station, Wain Lane,
Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2SH

The Hangout (Tiverton)
Tuesdays 7:00 – 9:00pm

Looking for somewhere to socialise and meet new people, make friends, relax, and try new things? Then come to THE Hangout! Our sessions are for ages 11-19 and we have Xbox, Pool, Table Tennis, PlayStation, Cooking, Craft, Challenges, Sports and more!

If you would like more info and arrange a welcome meeting? Please contact us at:

Phone: 07764 326409

FB/Instagram: @Tivertonspace

Email: TheHangout@spacepsm.org

Location: Tiverton Youth Centre, Bolham Road, EX16 6SG

The Chill Out
Our online session on Zoom / Fridays at 4pm – 5pm

These sessions are accessible to young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 11-19 Devon wide.

Sessions are supported by youth workers and run every Friday 4pm-5pm on Zoom. These sessions offer a safe place to go online, connect young people and give them something to do in a fun supporting environment. We have a wide range of activities, fun and games. So there is something for everyone.

For more info, contact The Digital team at: digitalteam@spacepsm.org

African drumming workshops

For 7-16-year-olds (under 7s welcome but must be accompanied by an adult), these workshops take place at OCRA Pavilion in Okehampton, every Thursday from 10.30 – 11.30 am. The cost is £3.

Drumming is fun and provides healthy exercise as an interactive, engaging activity that easily replaces pursuits such as computer games and television.

Music is a natural wonderful part of life. Being able to make their own music rewards children with a great sense of accomplishment.

Find out more and book a place.

No Child Left Indoors Forest School

Dan Rees runs the Forest school in the woodland in Shaldon, Devon. Following the success of the Friday group, there has been a Wednesday session added. 9am-3pm. The cost is £30 per session.

To find out more check out the Facebook Page and contact Dan via a direct message using there, or use the contact details below:

Woodland Family Group

Woodland Family Group is an educational charity based along a three-mile stretch of the river Dart in South Devon.

The group runs a regular monthly gathering of families to inspire and support parents and children, of any age, who are non-schooling.

They will be running two sessions, one on Thursdays, and the other on Fridays from 28 March. The sessions run from 10 am until 1 pm. Each session is facilitated by rangers who are experienced working in nature-based education and play.

The sessions are a mixture of story-sharing, seasonal crafts and bush craft skills to stimulate the intellectual and the practical, and provide a diversity of learning process.

Booking in advance is essential as numbers are limited. If someone hasn’t been before there is the chance to join for a session to see if they like it.

Cost is £5 per person, £2 per sibling and for under four-year-olds. Advance bookings only, payable on the day.

For further information about the group or to book a place, families should contact Beth Coombes on 07972 855542 or email bethcoombes@ambios.net.

Home Ed’s Go Wild – Orchard Forest School

These sessions are aimed at home educated children and provide a range of fun activities for the whole family, including:

Bushcraft
cooking
tool use
craft

Sessions cost £15 per family and take place fortnightly on Tuesdays from 12.30 – 2.30 pm (excluding school holidays)

Email orchardforestsch@gmail.com for more information.

The 2 Minute Foundation Beach Sessions

Join the 2 Minute Foundation for a day on the beach, in Bude, exploring our coastlines and its inhabitants and learning how to protect them.

Bring your children or group to the beach for a day of extended environmental education and fun in an imaginative and inspiring setting. Activities may include rock-pool rambles to discover local sea life; beach games; beach bingo; how to beach clean – making use of our finds and more.

The sessions are free of charge due to funding kindly provided by the National Lottery Community Fund.

They can be flexible around days and times, in January and early February, and spaces are limited so get in touch as soon as possible.

For further information and to register your interest along with your preferred date(s) and times, please send Helen an email at helen@2minute.org.

Volunteer Police Cadets

The cadets offers young people a lot of opportunities to gain a practical understanding of policing, along with team building, first aid and much more.

They regularly get involved in social action to support their community and make it a safer place to live. They are not trying to recruit police officers of the future (although a fair percentage consider it as a career option) but hope to give the young people skills and confidence that will help them in the future.

Find out more about the Volunteer Police Cadets.

Exeter Picture House

A home education club showing child-friendly films to promote learning through film and related activities. The second Wednesday of every month – activities from 10.15 am, with a film showing at 10.45 am.

Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool

Cold water swimming is returning at Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool!
It will run weekly from 9-10:30am, starting on 17th September.
Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool will share water temperatures each week but would expect it to be around 20° in the first week.
With full lifeguard support and hot drinks to warm you up after, it’s a lovely way to acclimatise to cold water swimming as the seasons progress.

Arts Award at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (Exeter)

Arts Council England and Trinity College London have teamed up to create an ‘Arts Award’ which consists of five levels and results in a recognised qualification.

Aimed at young people aged between five and twenty-five, it assesses art form knowledge and understanding, creativity and communication rather than specific art skill.

The first level of the award can be completed at the RAMM at any time during their opening hours by buying a £5 booklet from the shop at RAMM. The booklet can then be completed unassisted, alone or in groups, in one or several trips. More information about the award.