The following is a list of some of the local parent support groups in the North East region. These groups have all given permission for their details to be included on our website.
Before going along to any meetings, please give the named contact a call on the telephone number listed to check times, dates and venues as these may have changed to those listed.
Please note, Contact a Family is not responsible for the content of any external websites that are linked through these pages. If you know any of these details are incorrect, please let us know.
Contact a Family North East has details of approximately 50 local support groups throughout the region. If a local group to you isn't listed below, please contact us on Tel: 0191 213 6300 or e-mail: northeast.office@cafamily.org.uk and we will do our best to help.
Alnwick Support Group
Gill Bromley, In-Pact, Ashington Family Centre, South View, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 0SF
Tel: 01670 857 816
e-mail: neinpact@mail.nch.org.uk
Web: http://www.in-pact.org.uk
The parent group meets on the first Monday of every month from 1-3pm at Lindisfarne Annexe, Lindisfarne School, Alnwick.
Area(s) covered: Alnwick area
Ashington Parent Support Group
Gill Bromley, In-Pact, Ashington Family Centre, South View, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 0SF
Tel: 01670 857 816
e-mail: neinpact@mail.nch.org.uk
The parent group meets on the third Thursday of every month from 9.30am-11.30am at Ashington Family Centre. The groups offers parents the chance to meet other parents, share ideas, information and experiences. It has free drinks and snacks, a play area and help with children during meetings.
Area(s) covered: Ashington & Surrounding Area
Autism South Tyneside
Sharon Mordain, PO Box 118, South Shields NE33 4NX
Group hold monthly drop ins on the last Tuesday of the month from 10am-12noon. They produce a monthly newsletter including news of conferences all over the UK and children's pages. They organise a bi-annual conference and hold regular fund raising activities.
Area(s) covered: South Tyneside
Bishop Auckland Parent Carer Support Group
Pauline Lanagan
Tel: 01388 451 400
The Group meets every third Wednesday during term time at Durham Dale Action for Carers, 30 Edgar Grove, Bishop Auckland. They offer mutual support and information sharing plus guest speakers, training events and social activities. New members are very welcome.
Area(s) covered: Bishop Auckland and surrounding area
Children's Centre Support Group
Darren Gunn, 40 Sorrel Close, Elmtree Farm, Stockton-on-Tees TS19 0UR
Tel: 01642 581 379 (eve), 01642 766 257 (day)
e-mail: childrenscentre.supportgroup@ntlworld.com or darren.gunn@ntlworld.com
The support group was formed to relieve the needs of the children who attend the children's centre in Stockton-on-Tees.
Area(s) covered: Stockton-on-Tees and surrounding area
Cleveland Afasic Group
e-mail: postmaster@clevelandafasic.org.uk
Web: http://www.clevelandafasic.org.uk
Cleveland Afasic Group is a group of parents who have children with speech, language or communication difficulties. Their children have a variety of problems including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Dyspraxia, Cerebral Palsy and Down's Syndrome. For details of their next meeting please email them or visit their website.
Area(s) covered: North East
County Durham Autistic Support Group
Helen Geldard, PO Box 35 Spennymoor Co Durham DL16 7WY
Tel: 01388 819 880
e-mail: cdasg@aol.com
Web: http://www.cdasg.org.uk
Parent run charity providing advice, information and support for families. They run an informal advice line available to anyone. Meetings held monthly at Darlington, Bishop Auckland & Stanley. Children are welcome. They also run regular group activities, conferences and workshops for parents and professionals.
Area(s) covered: County Durham
Crook and District Parent Carers
Christine Berry, 2 Alexandra Terrace, Crook DL15 9DD
Tel: 07886 016 215
The group meets on Mondays at 5.30pm for a youth club and parent support, Thursdays, 10am-12pm for a parent support group and Saturdays from 10am for a youth club at Bankfoot Grove Community Centre, Crook.
Area(s) covered: County Durham, Wear Valley
Down's Syndrome North East
Anne Webster
Tel 08707 652 121
e-mail: annewebster@downssyndromenortheast.org.uk
Web: http://www.downssyndromenortheast.org.uk
Offers support and information for families who have someone with Down's Syndrome in their family. Hold regular coffee mornings and drop ins throughout the North East. Also holds social events and family activities, and regular conferences on all aspects of Down's Syndrome for both parents and professionals.
Area(s) covered: North East
Down's Syndrome Support Group
Susan Cullingworth, NCH Ashington Family Centre, South View, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 0SF
Tel: 01670 857 816
e-mail: susan.cullingworth@nch.org.uk
Web: http://www.in-pact.org
Parent group meeting once a month from 10am-12pm at the Church of Nazarene, Durham Road, Cramlington NE23 6DB.
Area(s) covered: South East Northumberland
Durham & Chester-le-Street Carer's Support
Jenni Wood, Bullion Hall Bullion Lane Station Approach Chester-le-Street DH2 2DW
Tel: 0191 3871 991
e-mail: dccarers@yahoo.co.uk
Web: http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/dccarers
Offers support to all parent carers with advice, information, training opportunities and a range of social events, lunches, drop ins and trips. A separate support group for parent carers of children with ADHD and other emotional and behavioural difficulties has been developed.
Area(s) covered: Durham City and Chester-le-Street districts
Dyspraxia Foundation County Durham
Tina Wilson
Tel: 0191 3848 283
e-mail: tinwil@thorndale83.freeserve.co.uk
Web: http://www.durhamdyspraxia.org.uk
Holds a monthly Saturday Kids' Club in Belmont Comprehensive School on the second Saturday of the month (excluding August) from 10am-12pm. Also run a parents' room support group held on the second Tuesday of March, July and October from 7-9pm. The group also produces a monthly member's newsletter, offers telephone befriending/support line and holds social events in the school holidays and day trips. A sub-group meets in Tanfield Lea, Stanley on the second Thursday of the month from 6.30-8.30pm.
Area(s) covered: County Durham and surrounding area
Dyspraxia Foundation Tyne & Wear (North)
Meryel Wood
Tel: 0191 2006 502, helpline open Monday 10am-2.30pm
e-mail: dyspraxia.tyneandwear@virgin.net
Hold a weekly drop-in, in conjunction with the Learning Disabilities Federation every Thursday in the Toy Library, Linskill Centre, Linskill Terrace, North Shields NE30 2AY, 10am-1pm. Children are welcome to use the soft play area while parents enjoy a coffee and a chat.
Area(s) covered: Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside
Dyspraxia Foundation Tyne & Wear (South)
Lynn Lumley
Tel: 01207 290 550
e-mail: lynn.lumley@btopenworld.com
Runs two groups; Derwentside Group meets on the second Thursday of each month, 6.30-8.30pm at the Activity Den in Stanley and The Whickham Group meets on the first Saturday of each month, 10.30am-12.30pm at the Community Centre in Whickham. Groups are open to parents, children and their siblings and include activities for the children and help and support for parents.
Area(s) covered: Tyne & Wear South and Derwentside
FAITH - Focusing on Autism in the Home
Debbie Park
Tel: 0191 483 6040
A parent-led support group who give information and support to families of children with Autism. Also provide training in various approaches in teaching and working with children with Autism.
Area(s) covered: Mainly Sunderland
FOCAS - Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum Linda, 6 Greenside, Normanby, Middlesbrough TS6 0SN
Tel: 01642 461 163
e-mail: mdickinson@ntlworld.com
This is a parent-led support group offering support and friendship, through shared knowledge and information, social family outings. Also have a book and resources library. Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month, 6.30-8.30pm at Upsall Hall, Swanns Corner, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough.
Area(s) covered: Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland
Gateshead ADHD Support Group
Pat Bolton, 3 Tennyson Crescent, Swalwell, Newcastle upon Tyne NE16 3JG
Tel: 0191 4960 078
e-mail: gatesheadadhd@yahoo.co.uk
Web: http://www.gatesheadadhdsupport.co.uk
Holds group meetings on a fortnightly basis, on Thursday morning, 10.30am-1pm. The group gives help and support to parents and carers of children with ADHD and any co-existing disorders. Also arranges leisure time activities and offers advice on a range of issues.
Area(s) covered: Gateshead and surrounding boroughs
Gateshead Cerebral Palsy Group
Joanne Watson, 21 Ravensworth Road, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 1EE
Tel: 0191 4100 412
e-mail: gatesheadcerebralpalsygroup@yahoo.co.uk
Group for parents/carers of children and adults with Cerebral Palsy who aim to share information and experience, reduce isolation and create opportunities for socialising and leisure activities and help improve services for people with Cerebral Palsy and their families in Gateshead and surrounding areas. The group meets monthly, please call or e-mail for meeting dates and times.
Area(s) covered: Gateshead and surrounding area
Hartlepool & District Dyspraxia Support Group
Janet Dunn, Office 8, Belle Vue Centre, Kendal Road Hartlepool TS24 1QY
Tel. 01429 280 073
e-mail: hdsg@supanet.com
Web: http://www.hdsg.20m.com
Meets at the Belle Vue Sports Centre, Kendal Road, Hartlepool during term time. The children can work with trained sports coaches and volunteers whilst the parents meet for coffee and tea. They can also provide information, and organise holidays and days out, including parents' nights out. Can also give talks to other groups and schools.
Area(s) covered: Hartlepool and Billingham collieries
Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group
Pat Allison, Resource Centre, 109 Park Road, Hartlepool TS26 9HR
Tel: 01429 863 766
Provides support and opportunities to families and their disabled children. Services include information sessions, parent and toddler/baby groups, out of school activities and trips, summer play schemes, short breaks, drop in days and other regular services including a weekly children's club on Mondays, 6-8.30pm.
Area(s) covered: Hartlepool
Hexham Nurture Group
Anna Trebillcock, Hexham Children's Centre, Beaufront Avenue, Hexham NE46 1JD
Tel: 01434 601698
e-mail: atrebillcock@northumberland.gov.uk
Support group for parent/carers of young children with additional needs meets the third Tuesday of every month at Hexham Children's Centre. Have guest speakers and trips out during the school holidays. Come along and share experiences with other parent/carers over a coffee.
Area(s) covered: West Northumberland
KICK ADHD Support Group - Keep Including Challenging Kids
Margaret Robertson
Tel: 0191 2673 761
e-mail: margaretmgg5@aol.com
Support group for parents who have a child with difficult to manage behaviour including ADD and ADHD. They meet alternate Wednesday's and Friday's, 10am-1pm at Newcastle Carers' Centre, 6 Saville Row, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Area(s) covered: Newcastle upon Tyne
Little Faces
Kathleen Chamberlain 22 Avebury Place, Carmlington NE23 2UR
Tel: 01670 730 976
Offers support and advice for children and their families including information on conditions such as common birthmarks, haemangiomas and port wine stains.
Area(s) covered: North East
Main Project
Anna Wood or Marie Hunt, Beverley School Site, Beverley Road, Saltersgill, Middlesbrough TS4 3LQ
Tel: 01642 277 450
e-mail: themainproject@hotmail.co.uk
Web: http://www.themainproject.co.uk
Provides information and advice for families of children with Autism Spectrum disorders. Have a resource library, offers training through seminars and short courses and also run a social club for secondary aged children with Autism.
Area(s) covered: Teesside
Murton Parent Support Group
Michelle Murray & Chris Shield
e-mail: chrisbooby38@aol.com
Offers support to families in Easington with children with any disability. The group meets Wednesdays, 9.30-11.30am.
Area(s) covered: Easington, County Durham
Newcastle East End ADHD Support
Karen Snowdon, c/o 77 Brampton Avenue, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 3ET
Tel: 0191 2094 348
e-mail: snowdonkaren@yahoo.co.uk
The group meets Wednesday mornings from 10am-12.30pm in the family room at West Walker Family Centre, Newcastle. It is run by volunteers who all have a family member with ADHD. The group is open to parents/carers, siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents and professionals with an interest in ADHD are welcome too. Have a small amount of books and literature which members can borrow and try to organise events and activities with funding is available.
Area(s) covered: East End of Newcastle
Newcastle Toy Library
Christine Graham, c/o Hadrian School, Bertram Crescent, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 6PY
Tel: 0191 2386 303
e-mail: christine@cobweb-totalserve.co.uk
The group offers toy and equipment loans, play sessions for children with disabilities, their brothers and sisters and other family members and friends, activity clubs and family sessions to enable parents to come together and access information via the internet.
Area(s) covered: Newcastle upon Tyne
North Eastern Autistic Society
Marie Hunt
Tel: 01642 507 967
Offers information, support, advice, regular meetings and have a resource library for families of children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Area(s) covered: Teesside
Northumberland County Blind Association Parents' Support Group
Alison Wrightson, Reiver House, Staithes Lane, Morpeth
Tel: 01670 514 316
Offers support for visually impaired parents with sighted children and sighted parents with visually impaired children. Provides contact with families in similar experiences, information about educational, health and social services and support in communicating with these agencies. Parents usually meet every two months around Northumberland. Also runs a parent friendship group.
Area(s) covered: Northumberland
Oasis
Viv Ford, Barnardos Byker Sands Family Centre, 19 Raby Cross, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2FF
Tel: 0191 2654 566
e-mail: viv.ford@barnardos.org.uk
An informal support group for parents of children who display challenging behaviour, e.g. ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia. The group meets Mondays during term time, 10am-12noon.
Area(s) covered: East End of Newcastle upon Tyne
PALS - Play, Activities, Listening Ear & Support
Alison Anderson
Tel: 01642 327 545
Group for parents of children on the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their families. The group meets on Friday evenings (fortnightly/term time) at the Salvation Army in Middlesbrough.
Area (s) covered: No geographical restrictions.
SNIPS - Special Needs Integrated Playscheme
Julie Marchant
Tel: 0191 5190 181
The group meets at St Margaret's United Reformed Church Saturdays, 1-3.30pm. Offers various activities from games, arts and crafts, physical activities, computers and playstations. Also run outings for the whole family and all activities are free of charge to members. Promotes healthy living with free fruit and drinks and children have the chance to practice life skills in the kitchen.
Area(s) covered: South Tyneside
Stockton Parent Support for Families and Special Needs Groups
Jenny Lumley, Ground Floor Wessex House, Falcon Court, Preston Farm Business Park, Stockton on Tees TS18 3TS
Tel: 01642 878 137
e-mail: stocktonps@yahoo.co.uk
Web: http://www.stocktonps.co.uk
Provides information, support, activities and participation projects for disabled children and young people and their families. Current activities include discos, cheerleading, arts & crafts and sportability. Has three participation projects for young people; helping to design an accessible play area, a disco committee and a Disability Forum for young people.
Area(s) covered: Stockton-on-Tees
Sunderland & South Tyneside Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) Support Group, Pauline Donaldson, c/o 25 Vincent Street, South Shields NE33 3AR
Tel: 0191 4556 959
Web: http://www.mecfs.co.uk
Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 7pm at Nookside, Grindon, Sunderland. Produces a quarterly newsletters with a section dedicated to young people and gives talks to schools and to other professionals.
Area(s) covered: Sunderland, South Tyneside, Washington & Peterlee
Sunderland Carers' Centre Parent Carer Group
Ailsa Martin, Sunderland Carers' Centre, 12 Toward Road, Sunderland SR1 2QF
Tel: 0191 5673 232
e-mail: info@sunderlandcarers.co.uk
Web: http://www.sunderland.nhs.uk/carers
Group for parents of children (under 18) with special needs and disabilities. The group meets on the second Thursday the month at Sunderland Carers' Centre, 10.30am-12noon. Meetings are usually an informal exchange of information and mutual support with some updates on policy issues, events, etc. There are also occasional speakers.
Area(s) covered: Sunderland
Support for Autism
Colombia Grange School, Washington
Tel: 0191 2193 860
Holds a coffee morning at Colombia Grange School on the first Monday of each month during term time, 10am-12noon. All parents and carers of children with Autism or Asperger Syndrome are welcome. Has a large library of videos and books which may be borrowed and sometimes invite guest speakers to meetings.
Area(s) covered: Sunderland & Washington Area
Teesdale Carers Centre Parent Support Group
Lindsey Starborn, Teesdale Carers Centre 35 Victoria Road Barnard Castle DL12 8HR
Tel: 01833 630 202
e-mail: office@tccentre.fsnet.co.uk
Informal group of parents who meet on a monthly basis to share information, provide support, meet new friends and take time out. Usually meet in a pub in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere approx every three months and arrange speakers of interest to come to the Carers Centre to provide further advice, information and training. Alternative therapies are available at a reduced costs to all carers at the centre once a week. Also plan to hold occasional social activities and day trips.
Area(s) covered: Teesdale
The Next Level Group
Maeve Cuthbertson, Sunderland Carers' Centre, 12 Toward Road, Sunderland SR1 2QF
Tel: 0191 5673 232
e-mail: info@sunderlandcarers.co.uk
Web: http://www.sunderland.nhs.uk/carers
Group for parents and carers of children with behavioural problems caused by learning disabilities, for example ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, etc. Group meets 10am-12noon on the last Monday of the month (except Bank Holidays) at the Sunderland Carers' Centre. Carers have the opportunity to invite speakers of their choice, share information and chat over tea and coffee.
Area(s) covered: Sunderland and outlying districts
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