Play schemes and activities
There are many charities in Bristol running events and activities for autistic young people.
Please note – these are external providers and we cannot be held responsible for any errors. Information correct as of 26th April 2023.
Incredible Kids
Incredible Kids run inclusive play sessions in Bristol for children and young people between the ages of 0 up to 25 with additional needs and disabilities and their families. Parent carers and siblings are welcome at all our sessions.
Incredible Kids Disability Events
St Paul’s Adventure Playground
Whatever the weather, everyone is welcome always. We pride ourselves on inclusion and are proud of our diversity.
All activities are facilitated by an experienced team of Playworkers.
We are now running weekly adventure play sessions for S.E.N.D (Special Education Needs and/or Disabilities) children and their siblings every Wednesday between 3:15pm and 6:15pm and Saturday mornings between 10.00am and midday. Please note that these are stay and play sessions so a parent or carer must remain on site. No need to pre-book, just come along.
Open sessions at St. Paul’s adventure playground
Brandon Trust
With funding from South Gloucestershire Council, we’re able to offer holiday play schemes for disabled children and young people. Schemes run in Yate, Bradley Stoke, Staple Hill, and Thornbury.
Following very successful schemes over a number of years, we continue to provide the schemes during Easter holidays, Summer holidays, October half-term, and February half-term.
The schemes aim to provide a fun and safe environment for children to play and learn, to get involved in community activities, make friends and develop their confidence, self-esteem, and independence.
Play and youth schemes | Brandon Trust
Ninja Warrior
Ninja Warrior run a SEND session on Wednesdays between 4.30-5.30 and Sundays between 9-10 – you have to book a place for the child and then pay the 50% carer fee on arrival.
Home Page – Ninja Warrior UK Bristol
Hengrove Park
SEN Sessions from 9.30-10.30, Thursday and Sunday mornings. You may need to show a pink card to access.
Hengrove Park (bristol.gov.uk)
Imperial Sports Ground
We offer booked sessions of 60 minutes each for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities – from new-born to adults – together with their families (siblings are always welcome).
We furthermore make provision for “quiet sessions” for those families that require a restful environment with their SEND children.
Carers are required to supervise their dependents during the sessions.
No form of diagnosis is required to attend our Super Sense sessions, and we work with various organisations that specialise in this field to ensure every SEND child in our community has the opportunity to benefit from the facility.
At the same time, our sensory room also provides for a calming and soothing space for babies and toddlers alike to explore and interact with their environment through light, sound and touch.
Sensory room at Imperial Sports Ground – A sanctuary for SEND children
Gympanzees
We have been running Pop Ups since 2018 in local schools to prove our concept and provide a much needed service for families.
The Pop Ups are smaller versions our plans for the main centre, and include a gym, soft playroom, music room, two sensory rooms, a trampoline room, indoor playground (sensory integration room), outdoor playground and a sociable café. Sessions are classified according to physical and sensory needs so that children are in a physical and sensory environment that is best suited to them.
The Pop Ups run during the Easter and Summer holidays when the schools are empty.
Wecil
Our Play programme provides a range of family activities for Disabled and SEND children aged 5-12 years old and their siblings. We also run a programme of drop off activities for Disabled children aged 8-12. These include regular venue based sessions and trips out and about in the community, such as the cinema and zoo.
Our Play sessions help Disabled children develop as individuals, build social skills and have fun with others, whilst giving parents and carers the chance to spend time doing something for themselves. Please note we aim to ensure that we provide a range of accessible activities that all Disabled children will be able to access. Sessions are free to attend but prior booking is essential.
FACE
At the FACE Out of School Clubs, we create a safe environment where autistic/neurodiverse children and young people can learn social skills and how to manage unstructured times.
Our staff together with a team of dedicated volunteers facilitate a varied programme of activities, providing enough structure and support for children and young people to learn the necessary skills and enable them to take more of a lead on the programme over time as confidence grows.
Children and young people accessing the groups have been shown to develop better social skills and increased confidence. Through improving social networks at these smaller, targeted groups we can then more easily support transitions into wider opportunities, such as more mixed youth groups, accreditation schemes (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh’s awards), trips and residential experiences.
FACE – Disabilities (facecharity.org.uk)
KHAAS
The service that we provide is unique and provides a range of recreational, respite and educational activities for BAME Disabled children / SEND and their families. These services are offered alongside advice, guidance, support and information services. We also support carers who are suffering from social isolation, loneliness and mental health problems to alleviate the pressure of the caring role and to improve their emotional wellbeing.
Khaas has over 35 years of experience in working with BAME communities and are experienced with skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. The majority of our staff are from different BAME backgrounds and speak Punjabi, Urdu, Bangla, Hindi, Somali and English.
SENSE
Our free children’s play service, Connect and Play, offers families with complex disabilities, including deafblindness, the chance to come together to develop, communicate, and connect with others.
Play isn’t just fun – it’s important for a child’s development, too. It helps disabled children learn communication skills and form connections with others. Our expert team of play leaders understand that and run targeted support programmes, drop-in sessions and holiday programmes, that are designed to develop children’s skills through a range of play-based activities.
Connect and Play: free play sessions for disabled children – Sense
Bristol Autism Project
Bristol Autism Project provides family holiday activities for autistic children and young people aged 4-18 years – or those with similar Social & Communication Interaction Needs (SCIN) – and their siblings who live in Bristol.
Bump Roller Disco
An inclusive and accessibility session between 4 – 6 pm on a Wednesday.
Bloc Climbing
Inclusive climbing sessions – contact them for details of the next session.
Bristol Autism Support Super Sense Sessions
Our child-friendly in-person support play session for parents and carers of autistic children, diagnosed or undiagnosed.
Whilst you and your child explore the Super Sense sensory room at the Imperial Sports Ground you can talk to Bristol Autism Support volunteers and meet other parents. This session is free but with limited spaces available so advance booking is required.
BAS Sensory Play Support Group Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
See also Bristol SEND Events for an up-to-date calendar of events.