Classes & Clubs in York for Kids with disabilities and additional needs. Suitable for Primary School Age Children (4 – 12 years old)
JUNIOR LIFEGUARD SESSIONS
We are a swimming lesson, water safety and water fitness provider that is passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn to swim and is safe in the water. We provide group and private swimming lessons for children and adults of all ages; all abilities. Group swimming lessons are kept small to allow us to focus on the individual needs of each swimmer.
Debbie Adams [Adams Aquatics Swim School owner] is actively involved in the swimming industry and drives the passion within Adams Aquatics Swim School to improve swimming standards in the UK. As part of the Aquatics Working Group at the Swimming Teachers Association [STA] Debbie helped develop the current qualifications for swimming teachers. Debbie teaches people to become tutors who then go on to train swimming teachers. She works closely with the Swim School teachers to help them keep up to date with the latest teaching techniques and information.
We operate from our Centre of Excellence in York, The Mount School. With lessons every day of the week and weekends we can offer lessons to suit you anytime to fit into busy schedules.
Baby & Toddler sessions are
We are the largest provider of swimming lessons in the UK, offering lessons at our York leisure centres, Energise Leisure Centre, York Leisure Centre and Yearsley Swimming Pool.
We offer programmes for all ages and abilities, with times and days to suit you. In our lessons, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Your children will be taught by experienced, highly qualified teachers, following an industry leading programme. Plus, you can track your child’s progress using our online too, called the Home Portal. We have designed our swim school programme to be flexible and affordable.
Our Monthly direct debit payments include free swimming for your children!
We offer the following:
Baby & Pre – School
Energise – Mondays and Saturdays.
York Leisure Centre – Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Swimbies – 3 months to 12 months.
Splashers – 13 months to 2 years.
Paddlers – 2 years to 4 years.
Pre – school – 3 – 4 years.
Primary School Age – available at all 3 centres
Foundation (small pool) – Children aged 4 years +
Development (main pool) – Children aged 5 – 12 years
Academy (main pool) – Children up to 16 years old, who have completed development.
Private lessons and level water are available. Try our lessons for free, with a free class pass. E-mail Stef on the address below for this.
For everything else please head to our website.
City Screen is York’s picturesque riverside cinema and cafe-bar. Located in the heart of York and easily accessible by public transport, we offer a varied programme of mainstream and independent movies. The cinema is fully accessible for people with disabilities, there is a baby-change facility in certain toilets (ask for a key), and the Riverside Café-Bar is welcoming to parents and carers with children.
As well as our regular screenings, we also offer the following weekly child-friendly sessions:
Autism-friendly screenings on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 11am, where we strive to create an environment welcoming for people with a range of conditions such as autism, learning disabilities, cognitive disorders and other special needs, and their families, friends or carers. Tickets £4.00
💜 Baby Change
💜 Pram Space at tables
💜 High Chairs
💜 Kids Activity
💜 Kids Menu
When films are rated U, PG, or 12A a family ticket (for two adults and two children under 15) is available, except for premium priced screenings.
13–17 Coney Street, York YO1 9QL
Does your child have any degree of deafness? Or are you a deaf parent of a hearing child? Lollipop offer free social activities for children and young people aged 0 – 25 in York and North Yorkshire who have any degree of deafness from mild to profound, or who have parent/s who are deaf.
Lollipop gives members access to a deaf peer group to help build confidence, self esteem and promote a sense of belonging. Activities can involve the whole family or different age groups and provide opportunities for members to socialise and meet and professionals working with children and young people with deafness.
Become a member of Lollipop for free, meet new people with the support of our activity leaders, catch up with your Lollipop friends and join in with fun and varied activities. There are sessions for various age groups and communication support is always available (BSL and/or live captions).
We are open and running in-person group activities including specialist creative workshops, music workshops, bowling etc. Visit our website and follow us on Facebook for the latest information.
Featured Listing
North East and Yorkshire cerebral palsy Football team
Senior (16+) regional Football opportunity for players with Cerebral palsy, stroke & acquired brain injuries, players access our centre from across the North East and Yorkshire catchment.
The senior team competed in this years FA disability CP cup final at St Georges Park, the game was broadcasted live on BT Sport- video link- https://fb.watch/7Prdw3WG4S/ 2 hours 16 minutes into the live stream is where our game features 😊
Saturdays, 9:30-11:30am, York sports village
North East and Yorkshire Cerebral palsy Football team (Juniors)
Junior (7-15 age group) regional football opportunity open to players with disabilities (more of an open disability session as numbers are currently too low to be CP specific).
Saturdays, 9:30-11:30am, York sports village
Copmanthorpe ability counts- PAN disability Football sessions (seniors)
Senior (16+) Football opportunity for players with disabilities (indoor sessions).
Fridays, 5:30pm-6:30pm, Energise leisure centre (Better) Acomb in York
Senior IMPs is for disabled and non-disabled young people aged 9+ who love making music. Siblings and friends are welcome to take part too.
You don’t need any previous musical experience and we support everyone to get involved and express themselves in the way that works best for them.Making music is a really fun way to build your confidence and develop skills. At Senior IMPs you can:
• Learn to sing and sign• Learn to play instruments and use music technology• Write your own songs and music• Take part in public performances• Train to be a workshop leader as one of our IMPs trainees• Work towards your Duke of Edinburgh Award or Arts Award
Some young people come to IMPs independently and others come with a carer or support worker. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your individual support needs.
When? Senior IMPs sessions take place on Monday evenings in term-time.Time: 6pm – 7:30pmVenue: Accessible Arts and Media Activity Space, Clifton Explore Library, Rawcliffe Drive, York, YO30 6NSCost: £8 per session (subsidised places available, please contact us to find out more)
Mondays in termtime from 5.15 – 6pm, at the Sports Hall at Burnholme Sports Centre. Suitable for walking children up to age 10. FREE.
Run by qualified football coaches in association with York Downs Syndrome Support Group.
Siblings are welcome but should respect that the sessions are primarily for children with SEND who may have mobility/balance issues.
Please email [email protected] to arrange a trial session.
At I Can Play we welcome all young people with any degree of hearing loss to make music. Our sessions are all about having fun – we enjoy playing musical games, exploring instruments, singing and signing songs, composing our own music, and making new friends!
Run by the National Centre for Early Music, sessions take place on Saturday mornings at York Music Centre.
To find out more go to www.ncem.co.uk/icanplay/ or contact [email protected]
Do you enjoy singing? Would you like to make new friends?
Then come and join our inclusive signing junior choir! Open to all children aged 5 – 11, with or without additional needs. It’s fun, and it’s FREE! No need to book – just come along and join us.
Fridays in termtime from 25th April 2025, 5.30 – 6.15pm at Dunnington Reading Rooms.
T: 07515851675 (Jo)
The Pottering Shed York offers alternative provision for children who find mainstream school overwhelming. Our sessions use bespoke interventions focused on regulation through Zones of Regulation and Emotion Coaching techniques. Supportive and individualised, our approach helps children thrive.
Waiting list open—contact Jemma 07969 545808 to learn more.
A Yorkshire-based theatre company creating theatre with people of all abilities and ages. They also specialise in working with people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Check out their website for weekly groups and upcoming productions.
We meet on Wednesdays in Tang Hall at 4pm.
T: 07521 364107
