Ability for All – Boroughbridge Juniors Football Club

Boroughbridge Junior Football Club host weekly term time sessions at Boroughbridge Sports Association for boys and girls with disabilities. There are two groups; one for ages 6 – 11 years, and one for ages 12 – 17 years. Contact Chris on 07928 779085 for more information.

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Access All Areas, York

Access All Areas is York Theatre Royal’s space for young people to meet like-minded people and be part of a supportive community. We use drama and creativity to build self-esteem and aspirations, encouraging young people to have fun and celebrate who they are. Sessions are deliberately kept small and are suitable for young people who for different circumstances may not feel comfortable accessing mainstream Youth Theatre. Sessions are free and transport costs can be supported.

• Mondays at York High School (Mixed ability, ages 8 – 11 years)
• Wednesdays at York Theatre Royal (Mixed ability, ages 12 – 16 years)
• Thursdays at Tang Hall (Teens with additional needs and/or learning disabilities)

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ARK Ripon

ARK Ripon is a social club for adults with learning and/or physical disabilities. It meets in Ripon Bowling Club, and offers games, quizzes, crafts, music, bingo etc. It operates several evenings per month (term time). Low cost membership.

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Autism Central / Daisy Chain Project, Thirsk

Autism Central organise regular drop‑in and coffee morning sessions at Thirsk Library and Northallerton Library for parents/carers to get information, support, and share experiences. There have also been occasional Ripon and Harrogate sessions. In addition, there are “Parent Carer Support Drop‑ins” held periodically. Contact support@daisychainproject.co.uk for further information on upcoming events and sessions.

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Autism Plus, Easingwold

Autism Plus run a Social Club at Easi Works for people with autism or learning disabilities, offering activities like quizzes, board‑games, outings and general socialising. There is also a Chocolate Shop and Cafe in Easingwold, which supports young adults with autism and learning disabilities. The dog-friendly shop features a delightful selection of handcrafted chocolates. 

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Born of the Forest, Harrogate

Offers Therapeutic Forest sessions delivered by qualified Therapeutic Forest Practitioners specifically for children and young people with additional needs or as an intervention for young people who just need a little extra support. Contact Born of the Forest for more information.

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Boroughbridge Community Charity

Boroughbridge Community Charity provides various services which help with inclusion and support: accessible transport (including a wheelchair‑friendly minibus), befriending schemes, coffee mornings that are welcoming to vulnerable or isolated people, and wheelchair hire.

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Carers Plus Yorkshire Ltd

A service provider within the Scarborough, Whitby, East Riding, Hambleton, Richmondshire, and Ryedale areas. Visit the Carers Plus Yorkshire website for further information and support.

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Carers’ Resource Yorkshire

Carers’ Resource is an independent, award-winning Yorkshire charity which is open to everyone and offers emotional and practical help to enable unpaid carers to cope. They provide information, advice, and support to carers, to the people they care for and to professionals who work with them. Visit the Carers’ Resource website for more information.

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Choose 2 Youth, York

Offers youth clubs for teens and young adults with additional needs. Contact 01904 709615 for more information.

• Youth club for ages 16+ | Wednesdays, 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm at Moor Lane Youth Centre, Wains Road, Dringhouses YO24 2TX
• Youth club for young people with Autism & Aspergers | 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month at Moor Lane Youth Centre, Wains Road, Dringhouses YO24 2TX
• Duke of Edinburgh group for ages 14 – 24 years hosted at Moor Lane Youth Centre, Wains Road, Dringhouses YO24 2TX

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City Screen Picturehouse, York

City Screen Picturehouse run Autism-friendly screenings on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 11.00 am. Also open to learning disabilities, cognitive disorders and other special needs, and their families, friends or carers. Tickets £4.00 each. For more information, call their Accessibility helpline on 0207 294 7908.

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Copmanthorpe Ability Counts – PAN Disability Football Sessions, York

Copmanthorpe Ability Counts run senior (16+) football opportunity for players with disabilities (indoor sessions) on Fridays, 5:30pm-6:30pm at Energise Leisure Centre (Better) Acomb in York.

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Community Stars CIC, Knaresborough

Community Stars CIC aim to provide a range of events and community-based initiatives that provide volunteering opportunities for adults with autism and learning disabilities. The activities and events offered provide a wide range of services and social engagement opportunities for our local community, encouraging diverse groups to meet and form lasting friendships, relationships and volunteering opportunities. Sessions are Wednesdays between 10.00 am – 3.00 pm at the Community Cafe at St John’s Hub, Knaresborough.

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Connect Service, York

Monthly relaxed sessions for children with additional needs. Come & join other families to learn about God and his love for us all and undertake activities such as crafts, songs, playtime, and stories. The venue is wheelchair accessible and there is Makaton signing. Sessions are held every 4th Sunday, 3.00 pm – 4.15 pm at the Holy Redeemer Church, Acomb, York.

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Craft and Social, Knaresborough

A daytime club for adults with learning disabilities based at Cliff House in Knaresborough. They organise social meetups, meals, and activities, offering a supportive and friendly environment. Contact Craft and Social for more information.

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DS Yorkies – Football for Children with SEND, York

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. The sessions are held on Term-time Mondays from 5.15 pm – 6.00 pm at the Burnholme Sports Centre Sports Hall and are open to children from walking age to 10 years old. Email DS Yorkies to arrange a trial session.

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Easingwold District Community Care Association (EDCCA)

The EDDCA provides a number of supportive groups, including a Hub Club for people living with dementia that meets in a safe, social setting, as well as “Knit and Natter”, a Crossword Club, befriending services, and activities where carers can get respite. Some of these are more age/need specific.

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Harrogate Gateway Football Club (HGFC)

HGFC plays in the West Riding Ability Counts Football League, entering 5-a-side adult teams into the Championship, League Two and League Three divisions. Training sessions are held at King James School in Knaresborough. Training for Lower, Middle and Higher Ability groups are held on Tuesdays, 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm, at St Aidan’s High School, Harrogate. £1.50 per training session. Contact HGFC for more details.

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Harrogate Hammers Wheelchair Basketball

Born as a second club to York Sharks, this now separate club trains and plays matches in wheelchair basketball. Contact Gary Atkinson to find out more.

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Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, Knaresborough

Henshaws offers a wide range of arts and crafts classes, workshops, and activities including pottery, printmaking, paper making, jewellery making, and sculpture. The sessions are inclusive, for all ages and abilities, and are tailored for people with disabilities and/or additional support needs. Contact Henshaws for more information.

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Hole In the Wand’s Autism-friendly Sessions 

 The wizard-themed indoor mini golf experience, Hole in the Wand in York, offers monthly autism-friendly sessions where they keep the house lights on, the smell units off, and the music soundtracks off. They also limit the numbers participating, have on-hand staff to answer queries, and provide an opportunity to walk the course and venue before starting. Only £4.99 per person including a magical drink. Each player can bring a carer for free if needed. Check their website for the next session date.

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I Can Play (by the National Centre for Early Music, York)

Inviting young people with any degree of hearing loss to have fun making music, playing musical games, exploring instruments, singing and signing songs, composing our own music, and making new friends. I Can Play runs on Saturday mornings at York Music Centre.

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Kids Inclusive Social Saturday (KISS)

Offering fun and inclusive play activities with arts, crafts, games and sports for ages 6 – 12 years and 13 – 18 years. These inclusive social club sessions are held on Saturdays between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm during term time at Knaresborough Wellbeing Hub, HG5 0LG. Each session costs £20 which includes refreshments. Booking is essential and a packed lunch is required. Email for further details.

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Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club, Harrogate

One of the largest junior football clubs in the Harrogate area, the club caters for disabled boys and girls up to age 16 years. They are closely linked to Harrogate Gateway Football Club. They train on Saturdays between 11.00 am and 12.30pm at Harrogate High School (May to October) and Rossett Sports Centre (November to April). Weekly subs are £1.50. Contact Killinghall Nomads JFC for further details.

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Lollipop HQ

Lollipop HQ offer free social activities for children and young people aged 0 – 25 across North Yorkshire who have any degree of deafness from mild to profound, or who have parents or carers who are deaf.

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Morrisons Quieter Hour

Across North Yorkshire and the UK, Morrisons Supermarket offer a quieter shopping experience every Saturday morning 9.00 am – 10.00 am.

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North East & Yorkshire Cerebral Palsy Football Team, York

The North East and Yorkshire CP Football Team has Senior and Junior opportunities. The Seniors (16+) regional football opportunity is for players with cerebral palsy, stroke & acquired brain injuries and meets on Saturdays, 9:30-11:30am at York sports village. There is also a Juniors (7 – 15 years) team that meets at the same time. Contact North East and Yorkshire Regional C P Squad Football for more details.

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Ohana Charity, Ripon

Ohana Charity supports families of children with SEND. They run a Play Club for children aged approx 0‑10, and a Teen Club for ages 11‑17. These provide inclusive social spaces for children and young people to meet, play, learn skills, make friends, in settings adapted to their needs.

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Parent Carer Voice

Parent Carer Voice aims to inform, empower and represent the collective voice of families with children and young people with SEND across North Yorkshire. They provide support from other parent carers, useful information and links, events and training to help your journey through the SEND services and beyond. Visit the Parent Care Voice website for more details.

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POSCH (Parents & Carers of Special Children), Thirsk

A volunteer‑led charity in Thirsk offering peer support groups for parents/carers of children with any disability or SEN. It provides “me‑time” sessions, practical help and training, and offers a way for carers to connect with others in similar situations. Sessions are usually held monthly on Fridays, 10am – 12 noon at Community Works, Thirsk. Visit the Parents and Carers of Special Children (POSCH) website for more information.

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Raindrops Inclusive Adventures, York

This SEN friendly group (no diagnosis needed) caters for small group sizes. Join them for sensory play and exploration, with sessions including circle time supported by Makaton, songs and movement with bubbles, sensory play with high quality sensory provisions, and parachute play. The play sessions run on Thursdays at 10.15 am at Earswick and Wednesdays in North Duffield. Visit Raindrops Inclusive Adventures for more information.

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Ripon Community Link (Ripon Walled Garden)

Ripon Community Link (Ripon Walled Garden) runs day‑services for people with mild to moderate learning disabilities, often including those with physical or health needs. They offer skills development, social activities and learning through a garden‑nursery, café & community projects.

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Ripon Disability Forum

Ripon Disability Forum meets regularly (third Monday each month) and gives people with disabilities a chance to meet, be heard locally, influence services and share information.

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Ripon Leisure & Wellbeing Hub

Ripon Leisure & Wellbeing Hub (Jack Laugher Centre) offers exercise and activity classes for people of various ages and abilities (including low‑impact, adaptive ones). So it may be possible to find physical activity classes suitable for someone with additional needs.

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Saturday Club Knaresborough

This social and arts club for young people and adults with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities runs every other Saturday at the Knaresborough Children’s Centre for ages 16 and over. If you mention the age group (child, teenager, adult) and/or type of additional need (e.g. autism, physical disability, sensory impairment), the club are happy to accommodate even more. Email to find out more.

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Senior IMPs, York

An inclusive music-focused group for all abilities from age 9 upwards hosted by Accessible Arts and Media. You don’t need any previous musical experience to get involved and make music together. Children learn to sing, sign, play instruments, use music technology, write songs and music, and perform to the public. The sessions happen on Mondays during term time at 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm at the Accessible Arts and Media Activity Space, Clifton Explore Library, Rawcliffe Drive, York, YO30 6NS. £8 per session (subsidised places available).

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Sing and Sign Maestros Junior Choir, York

This inclusive junior choir combines singing and signing for children aged 5 – 11 years, with or without additional needs. It’s fun, it’s FREE, and there’s no need to book. Meets on Fridays in term time, 5.30 pm – 6.15 pm at Dunnington Reading Rooms. Call Jo or visit the Facebook Page for more information.

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Special Olympics City of York

A provider of year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with learning disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of skills, gifts and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Visit Special Olympics City of York for further information.

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The Pottering Shed, York

Offering an 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. Contact Jemma to learn more.

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The Sensory Den, Easingwold

The Sensory Den offers holiday clubs designed especially for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) as well as sensory equipment hire. Their sessions include sensory‑friendly play, creative crafts, forest‑school style adventures, baking, and more. Contact Lexi for more information.

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Thirsk & Sowerby District Community Care Association

This association run specialist holiday play schemes for disabled children, Saturday schemes, lunch clubs, befriending schemes, and more. These help children with disabilities to take part in social and play‑based activities, while giving some respite to families. Contact Thirsk & Sowerby District Community Care Association for more information.

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U3A Walking Netball Group (Ripon & District)

Open to men and women of all ages and abilities, this term-time weekly walking netball club meets on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm. Playing at a slower pace, this is inclusive and everyone is welcome. Sessions are held at Bishop Monkton Village Hill Multi Play Area between April and September and at Harrogate Road Methodist Church between October and March. Sessions cost £3.50 to cover venue hire costs. Visit their website for further details.

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We Are Theatre, York

This theatre company creates shows with people of all ages and abilities. Their inclusive learning environment includes many people with learning difficulties, additional needs, and disabilities. They meet weekly on Wednesdays at 4.00 pm at Tang Hall and host regular productions. Phone We Are Theatre for more information.

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York City Foundation’s Cerebral Palsy Team

If you are aged 16+ with cerebral palsy, a stroke survivor or have had a traumatic or acquired brain injury (players should be ambulant), then joining York City Foundation’s CP Team could be for you. Please contact York City Foundation to find out how you can get involved.

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York Sharks Wheelchair Basketball

A wheelchair basketball team for all abilities and ages from 6 years to mature players. Able-bodied players can join and push wheelchairs too. Team practice sessions are held at Fulford School on Tuesdays between 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm with fun sessions held on Thursdays between 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm, also at Fulford School. Phone Sarah for more information.

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Yorkshire Create, Knaresborough

Yorkshire Create run a SEND-focused youth theatre class called ‘Sensory Youth Theatre’ (also known as Knaresborough Youth Theatre) on term-time Wednesdays at 4.30 pm. In addition, there are three performing arts home education classes available that can accommodate all abilities including those with SEND or additional needs. These include ‘Space to Grow’ (Fridays, 0-5 years), ‘Home Education Performing Arts’ (Wednesdays, 4-7 years), and ‘Home Education Choir’ (Wednesdays, 8-12 years). Contact Yorkshire Create for more information.

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Youthability in Thirsk, Bedale & Beyond

A youth club for anyone with special educational needs and/or disabilities running for ages 11 to 25 years across Hambleton. The regular, free and inclusive activities include arts, crafts, cooking, baking, sports, and days trips. The sessions operate in Thirsk, Bedale, Northallerton, and Richmond. Visit Youthability’s Facebook Page or email for more information.

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Inclusive Clubs and Activities for Adults and Children with Additional Needs

Popular options include SEND-friendly sports clubs, arts and crafts sessions, music therapy, sensory play groups, and inclusive versions of mainstream youth activities like Scouts, Guides, and drama clubs. Many areas also offer social clubs for young people with autism or learning disabilities, helping them build friendships in a safe, structured setting.

Clubs for additional needs not only offer a fun and supportive space for young people and adults alike — they also provide essential respite and community support for parents and carers.

Looking for inclusive clubs in the Ripon, Thirsk, Knaresborough, and Easingwold area? We can help you find the right activities for you or your child. Whether you need after-school groups, weekend clubs, or holiday play schemes, there are welcoming options available near you.

If you know of a club suitable for adults or children with additional needs, or run a local inclusive club, please do contact us so that we may add it to our online directory.

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