Info for 16 yrs +
Lots of information on the Becoming an adult – Local authority website link
Preparing for adulthood (pfa) Durham county council site
Latest PfA toolkit HERE to download.
Added November 2025- New PfA guide HERE
Durham Works
A partnership project between Durham County Council and 9 organisations working together to support young people who are not in education, employment or training. Telephone – 0300 026 2930
DurhamEnable
Are you a County Durham resident aged 18 or over, looking for work, but facing barriers due to disability, autism, or other long term health conditions?
DurhamEnable works 1-to-1 with jobseekers and employers, to break down the barriers to paid work faced by people with disabilities, neurodiversity’s and long term health conditions . They also help jobseekers to gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to find employment that is right for them.
To learn more about support, email durhamenable@durham.gov.uk, or phone 03000 269 899.- Facebook link.
DurhamLearn Supported Employment Pathway 24/25 -Programme of pathway here to download – DurhamLearn SEND programmes 24.25
Durham Locate
The current place to find out about adult care, support, information and advice in County Durham. Similar to the Local offer but for information and services for over 18s.
Daisy Chain
A needs-led service available to individuals living in Durham who are 16+.
Talking Therapies
An amazing talking therapy service for people in Co. Durham and Darlington 16 years+ to help with common mental health problems. Open weekdays 9-5. For emergencies call 111 – 24 hrs. You can self-refer via their website here
TEWV Crisis Resolution and Intensive Home Treatment Team
Crisis resolution and intensive home treatment service (CRHT) for people aged over 16 years old. Providing community specialist triage, assessment and IHT for people aged over 16 years who need urgent mental health care across the TEWV Trust area.
We Care Bespoke.
We Care Bespoke Ltd provides bespoke support for vulnerable children, young people, and adults throughout the North East of England. They provide tailored support to the local authorities, private social care and supported housing organisations. Their head office is in Chester-le-Street with our dedicated team who have more than 100 years of experience in social care, and we are committed to providing high-quality bespoke services. They also have a sensory room ( See activities section). Phone 0191 300 9212 or Email info@wecarebespoke.co.uk
Five Acres Community Garden CIC
Their mission is to create a safe and inclusive environment where young people, referred to as “Champions’, can achieve their full potential. As a bespoke Day Centre for individuals aged 16 and above with special needs and learning difficulties, Five Acres offers a unique approach to learning and personal development.
Skill Development: Champions are provided with opportunities to develop skills essential for independent living and employment.
Specialised Learning: The centre offers a range of subject areas to help improve basic literacy, numeracy, and communication skills.
Work Experience: Participants can engage in work-related activities, gaining practical experience that prepares them for future employment.
Sports and Social Activities: A variety of sports, leisure, and social activities are available, promoting physical well-being and social interaction.
Email info.fiveacres@gmail.com or phone: 07425779502
Bridge Creative CIC
They support adults ( 18+) with learning disabilities and autistic adults into employment. They do so much – mental health support, events, in work support, work experience, social groups, training, projects, business support and much more. Some of their projects HERE and their Facebook page HERE with information on different things they have going on. They do too much to list so check them out.
Learning Disabilities CIC
A fabulous social enterprise supporting adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism. Their aim is to improve the overall physical and mental wellbeing of the individual through a variety of different projects.
DADLG ( Durham Area Disability Leisure Group)
Are an amazing charity that provides sports, leisure And social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and their families living within Durham and surrounding Areas. They run social activities for all ages and run 18+ only ones. Website HERE. / Over 18s part of website HERE. Telephone : 07592 366454
The Wider World Project
Charitable organisation for young people and young adults with additional support needs in Durham. Email thewiderworldproject@gmail.com or phone 07907 831677.
Sportability at Durham Leisure Centres
☆ Fun activity sessions for young people (aged 16 plus) and adults with disabilities, featuring games such as archery, boccia, curling, bowling, and more. Carers attend free. Teesdale Leisure Centre Friday 10.30am-12pm. £3.50
☆ Just Play Disability Football. A recreational football session for those aged 18 and over, offering an hour of fun and exercise. £3.50 & carers join free. Spennymoor Leisure Centre , Wednesday. 1pm-2.30pm.
Disco night fever at Bede Lodge
Alan Shearer Centre
A specialist recreational, sensory and social resource for disabled people of all ages, catering to a wide spectrum of need. Facilities are completely free to use. The Alan Shearer Centre is a highly specialist, respite, residential and social facility for people living with complex disabilities and acute sensory impairments. Situated in its own grounds on the outskirts of Newcastle but we have lots of families from County Durham who use their facilitates. The Alan Shearer Centre comprises three specialist facilities on the same site:
The Alan Shearer Activity Centre– A specialist recreational, sensory and social resource, for people of all ages living with disabilities, catering to a wide spectrum of need. Facilities are completely free to use and include a hydrotherapy suite, sensory rooms and cave, a music room, seasonal activities and a café. Overhead tracking and hoists are fitted throughout, enabling full accessibility to all areas for those with limited mobility.
The Alan Shearer Short Break Centre – Currently closed. Providing highly specialised respite breaks in a safe and specially adapted environment for people living with a range of disabilities and behavioural issues, the centre allows parents and carers a well-earned rest. It is the only short break centre in the North East with its own on-site Activity Centre, set within several acres of private and beautifully landscaped grounds.
Our Alan Shearer Specialist Residential Home. Situated within the Alan Shearer Centre, our specialist home offers residential accommodation for adults living with profound and multiple disabilities, offering longer term, safe and nurturing care and support. In addition, our residents living with disabilities have full access to the on-site Activity Centre.
Contacts – Alan Shearer Short Break Centre – Email: alanshearershortbreak@stcuthbertscare.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 267 8128. Alan Shearer Specialist Residential – Email: asresidential@stcuthbertscare.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 264 8925. Alan Shearer Activity Centre Email: reception@alanshearercentre.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 267 8118
Learning for Life
Learning for Life, a provider of education and care for adults with high support needs, special educational needs or disabilities in Consett, The site facilitates much needed education and social care placements for those who need a personalised, bespoke package, tailored to meet individual’s needs. Learning for Life provides a stimulating, safe and innovative learning environment for adults with a diverse range of learning, emotional, behavioural and physical disabilities.
Celebrate Difference ADHD
A Social Enterprise based in Consett supporting ADHDers who choose to celebrate, support and learn. They do Neuroinclusive training, one-to-one mentoring, and can help apply for an Access to Work Grant.
Durham Learn
Local authority adult learning provider offering courses in community venues across County Durham with flexible delivery. Facebook page HERE. 2025/2026 learning guide HERE
Support for Parents , family and friends of Autistic Adults (SPAA)
A support group for parents and family members of adults on the autism spectrum, primarily in Durham and the north-east of England. They meet on the first Saturday of the month at the Marriott Royal County hotel and the first Wednesday of the month at Durham County Carers Support office in Spennymoor for themed discussions. They have a Facebook group for discussions and support in-between the meetings.
Autie mates adult autism support group
Adult autism support and friendship drop-in, they have two peer support sessions under the umbrella of Little treasures autism charity. They run once a month in Ferryhill and Gateshead.
Durham City Youth Project
Durham City Youth Project is for young people aged 8-19. We have lots of different sessions open to everyone, across County Durham. They’re based in Framwellgate Moor, but we have sessions at Langley Park, Wheatley Hill and Seaham.
☆ Durham City Youth Project has received funding to support young people with mild to moderate mental health conditions. Their free mental health support services are available to all young people, aged 13 – 19 years old living in County Durham. Please get in touch with us to make a referral or for further information. Mobile: 07883 730550 Email: counselling.dcyp@gmail.com.
☆ Seniors group for age 13+ delivers open access sessions offering sports, arts and crafts, cooking, personal and social education sessions, team building and an opportunity just to come and socialise.
Phone 0191 383 2819 or Email durhamcitycentreyouthproject@gmail.com
Journey Enterprises
Journey Enterprises provides Day Services for Adults aged 18+ who have a learning (intellectual) disability and were chosen by the House of Lords as one of fifteen organisations in the UK providing best practice. They have four Day Centres in the north east: in Blyth, Hexham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Coundon (Durham). They run a wide range of programmes to enable adults to develop life and employment skills, and to manage their health and wellbeing. Have a look at their website and social media to see the range of activities they offer. Telephone: 01434 608118
Springboard
A charity that operates across the North East with bases in Hartlepool, Peterlee, Sunderland, Hetton, Jarrow and Allenheads. They provides a wide range of opportunities through Apprenticeships, flexible Study programmes and Springboard Works (a project to support unemployed people back to the world of work).
Pathways
Pathways is a local authority day service on 5 different sites around County Durham that deliver lively and enriching therapeutic and multi-sensory activities for adults with disabilities who have been assessed as eligible for their services. Telephone – 03000 264 850
Catch22
A social business, a not for profit business with a social mission who have designed and delivered services that build resilience and aspiration in people and communities. Services include alternative education, apprenticeships, employability support, family support and other services.
Project choice
A programme delivered within NHS organisations and supported by Health Education England. It aims to help young adults gain work experience and improve employability and independence skills. They provide internships within healthcare settings and other NHS partner organisations in supported environments helping to get individuals ready for the working world. Their support is tailored to each person and we match employment options to each person’s skills. Students spend 1 year learning work skills in three placements, each placement is up to 12 weeks long.
NHS England Choices College (formerly Project Choice)
A national Specialist Post-16 College providing a person-centred, individually-tailored Supported Internships to young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.- Choices College Student and Learner Booklet (1) / Choices College Student and Learner – Supported Internships POSTER. More info HERE
Information on benefits :-
- DLA
- Carers allowance
- PIP
- Tax credits
- Council tax reduction
- Universal credits
- Disabled facilities grant
- ESA
Further Local Authority information :-
- Durham Coordinating SEND provision in Post 16 booklet (for professionals)
