Mates ‘n’ Dates
Mates 'n' Dates is a dating and friendship agency for adults with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire, run by Guideposts Trust.
Website: http://guideposts.org.uk/mates-n-dates/
Phone Number: 01993 893583
Email: [email protected]
Address: Guideposts Trust Ltd, Willow Tree House, Two Rivers, Station Lane, Witney, OX28 4BH
Hft South Oxfordshire
Hft South Oxfordshire and Berkshire supports people with learning disabilities across South Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire. They offer a range of services, including supported living and domiciliary care, registered care services, leisure activities at their Milton Heights site, supported employment and training, short breaks and respite, and specialist care.
Website: www.hft.org.uk/Our-locations/South-East-England/Hft-South-Oxfordshire
Phone: 01235 831686
Email: [email protected]
Address: Potash Lane, Milton Heights, Abingdon, OX14 4DR
Style Acre
Style Acre supports adults with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire through supported living, providing day opportunities, work experience and volunteer opportunities.
Website: www.styleacre.org.uk
Phone: 01491 838760
Address: Evenlode House, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8BA
Yellow Submarine
Yellow Submarine is a charity which organises supported day activities and residential holidays for both young people and adults with learning disabilities. For children (aged 11-18) living in Oxfordshire they run an extensive programme in the school holidays. For adults (18+) they run residential holidays, work experience and training, and a weekly social club.
They have set up a social enterprise cafe in Oxford to provide training and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Website: http://www.yellowsubmarine.org.uk
Phone: 01865 236119
Address: 12 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HH
Oxfordshire Family Support Network
The Oxfordshire Family Support Network is run by and for family carers of people with learning disabilities (both children and adults). It was set up in 2007 by family carers who wanted to use their experience to help others in the same situation, based on their belief that family carers are experts by experience.
They provide independent information, advice and support to family carers of people of all ages with learning disabilities.
They also provide information, advice and training to professionals involved with people with learning disabilities.
Website: http://www.oxfsn.org.uk/
Phone: 07596 784 947
Email: [email protected]
Address: The Charter, Abingdon, OX14
My Life My Choice
My Life My Choice is a self-advocacy charity run by and for people with learning disabilities. They offer a huge range of services, such as local groups, a travel buddy scheme, training for professionals by people with learning disabilities, a nightclub, a radio station, and an easy-read service - find out more on their webpage!
Website: http://mylifemychoice.org.uk/
Phone: 01865 204214
Address: The Jam Factory, 27 Park End Street, Oxford, Oxford OX1 1HU
The Story Museum
The Story Museum is a most unusual museum located in the heart of Oxford. The Museum aims to enrich lives, especially young lives, through story, and was established to ensure that everyone can enjoy and benefit from engaging with great stories and create stories of their own in a place full of wit and wonder.
Our programme of events regularly includes Access Events including relaxed performances, sensory story SEN sessions and BSL interpreted performances. Visit our website to find out more about upcoming accessible events:
https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/whats-on
Accessibility
All of our spaces, including our galleries, café and gift and book shop, are fully accessible for wheelchair users. There are three lifts offering access to all floors. Accessible toilets are located on the ground and first floor of the building, with one space offering changing facilities and a shower. Read our access information here:
https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/plan-your-visit/faqs-accessibility
Sensory backpacks
Our sensory backpacks are designed to both calm and stimulate a child's journey through the Galleries so that you and your child can make the most of your visit. Just ask at the ticket desk on arrival and our team can loan them for the duration of your visit.
Telephone: 01865 807600 Address: 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP Contact email: [email protected]Chipping Norton Theatre
The Theatre Chipping Norton regularly puts on relaxed screenings and performances.
These are open to all, but with changes made to be accessible for people who might find a standard cinema or theatre experience challenging, including those living with dementia and learning disabilities.
To see all current relaxed performances and screenings, visit https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/whats-on/relaxed
Telephone: 01608 642350 (Monday to Friday: 10am to 6pm, Saturday: 10am to 2pm)
Address: The Theatre Chipping Norton Ltd, 2 Spring Street, Chipping Norton, OX7 5NL
Connect Up Oxfordshire – Direct Payment Networking Group
- Are you a Direct Payment user receiving a Personal Budget from either Social Services or your local NHS?
- Do you support someone else to manage and use a Direct Payment?
- Are you a parent or someone with parental responsibility for managing a direct payment on behalf of a child?
If you have answered yes to any of the questions above you may be interested in attending Connect-Up Oxfordshire, a local networking group for people using Direct Payments.
If you’re interested in attending Connect-Up please contact:
Name: Ann Cummings - Oxfordshire DP & Employment Advisor Administrator
Phone: 01865 410307
Email: [email protected]
Address: 213 Barns Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 3UT
Oxfordshire Children’s Respite Nursing Team
The Oxfordshire Children's Respite Nursing Team is a team of nurses working with the Children’s Community Nurses.
They offer respite care in the home for children with complex healthcare needs. Children must live in Oxfordshire to be eligible to receive care.
The service is available from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. However, they try to be as flexible as possible and can consider occasional weekday evenings. They may be able to increase respite if acute illness or crisis occurs. Sessions are normally three hours in duration, weekly or fortnighly.
Phone: 01865 902700 (office), 07768654901 (Respite Co-ordinator mobile)
Email: [email protected]
Address: Raglan House, 23 Between Towns Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 3LX
Equicate – Activities for those who enjoy the outdoors and farms
Equicate offer day services for adults with additional needs from 10am to 3pm during the week.
All activities are target based with the development of the individual as a focus at all times. We are a farm environment and activities are suited to those who enjoy the outdoors. We can have a more farm-oriented focus or one directed more towards horse care.
We do also offer weekly shorter sessions of 45 minutes - these can be one-to-one or we can put groups together. We use the horse as a tool to enable students to identify the language of the horse and in turn improve own communication and team work skills.
We look forward to hearing from you. Get in touch (see email below) for further information or to arrange a visit.
Website: equicate.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07749 971361
Address: Deer Farm Stables, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks, HP18 9JZ
Breakaway Group
A social group for 18-30 year olds who have mild to moderate learning difficulties and who live in South Oxfordshire.
This friendly group meet up approximately once every 4-6 weeks for social events. Most members are based in Henley/Wallingford direction. We might meet up for a meal, cinema, bowling, theatre, sporting events, concerts. Giving young disabled adults a meaningful activity and circle of friends whilst parents and carers get a break.
Website: www.chilterncentre.org.uk
Contact Name: Pamela
Phone: 01491 575575
Email: [email protected]
Address: Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children and Young Adults, Greys Road, Henley on Thames RG9 1QR
Let’s Play Project, Banbury
The Let’s Play Project provides play and leisure opportunities for disabled young people age 5 – 25 years old. It is based in Twyford, Banbury.
They are commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council to provide activities for disabled young people all year round, both in the school term and during all the major holidays.
They operate on a self-referral basis, so please contact them for more info.
Website: http://letsplaybanbury.org/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01295 263694
Down’s Syndrome Oxford
Down’s Syndrome Oxford is a charity organised and funded by volunteer parents and supporters to provide information, support and activities for children and adults with Down’s Syndrome and their families living in Oxfordshire.
The members include parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, medical professionals – anyone with a passion for supporting people with Down’s Syndrome.
All the funds DSO receives are generated by fundraising efforts by members and the generosity of their supporters. There is no membership fee and most activities are free, although they may ask for a small contribution at some events.
Website: www.dsoxford.org.uk
OXSRAD
OXSRAD (Oxford & District Sports and Recreation Association for the Disabled Ltd) is an inclusive centre that integrates people with disabilities through sport and recreation.
They offer a huge range of facilities and activities so that there is something for everyone.
Facilities include:
- a gym (adapted for wheelchair users or those with physical difficulties)
- a studio (for exercise classes, dance groups, meetings and more)
- a sensory room
- a spa bath (with disabled hoist)
- a sports hall
- a therapy room
- a cafe and a bar
It is open daily, with specific classes and activities listed on this page: http://www.oxsrad.org/facilities
Website: www.oxsrad.org
Address: Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston, Oxford, OX3 0NQ
Phone: 01865 741336
Email: [email protected]
Directory of Local Transport Community Groups and Services
This directory brings together information about community transport groups and services in Oxfordshire:
CommunityTransportDirectory.pdfIt was produced in April 2016. For up-to-date information, or to search by postcode, use the online directory: www.ctonline.org.uk
You can also call the Oxfordshire Travel Advice Line (Oxtail) on 0845 310 1111 (select option 5) or email [email protected]. It offers free impartial advice on a range of transport options for people with a high level of support needs.
Thomley
Thomley is a place for people of all ages and abilities.
They are based on a 9 acre site and they have: a soft play area, art room, sensory room, bike track, zip wire, play rooms, imagination room, fort, cycle track, park, music room, imagination room, teenage den and much more!
PLUS they have additional activities on selected days, such as: giant bubbles, woodwork, sports workshops and music therapy workshops. People with and without diagnosis are welcome at Thomley, they have focus days for for everyone - preschool, teenage, adult, quiet, family, community and more.
They are based in Worminghall, Buckinghamshire - just outside Oxfordshire, but of course everyone from Oxfordshire is most welcome!
Website: https://thomley.org.uk/
Address: Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Buckinghamshire HP18 9JZ
Phone: 01844 338380 (office hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9am-5pm)
Contact Page: https://thomley.org.uk/contact-us/
Oxfordshire Disability Sports and Physical Activity Directory
This is a great directory of sports and physical activities for people with disabilities in Oxfordshire:
oxfordshire-inclusive-sport-directory.pdf
It is published by Oxfordshire Sport and Physical Activity.
If you know of any other clubs or activities that you think should be listed in their directory, please let Lucy at Oxfordshire Sport and Physical Activity know by emailing [email protected] or phoning her on 01865 252661.
New Yatt Riding for the Disabled
New Yatt Riding for the Disabled is an incorporated charity which provides therapeutic horse riding to children and adults at North Leigh, West Oxfordshire.
Riders may have a physical disability or learning difficulties, some may have both.
The riding lessons are very popular, so there may be a waiting list. For more information, please visit their website!
Website: www.newyattrda.org.uk/about_us.htm
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01993 883832 (may go to answer phone so please leave a message)
Oxford City Casuals Football Club
The Oxford City Casuals are a friendly and welcoming football club with enthusiastic coaches who are passionate about helping disabled children (aged 10 and over) and adults achieve their best.
They train on Sundays during term time at Oxford City Football Club (Marsh Lane, Marston Oxford OX3 0NQ). They meet at 9.45am at the club house and start playing at 10am. They finish around 11.30am.
Website: http://www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk/teams/1500
Contact: For further information contact Manager Mark Heelis at [email protected] or on 07714 756917
KEEN Oxford
KEEN provides social, sporting and recreational activities for children and adults with special needs. It is a registered charity and a joint organisation of Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University.
They run four regular, weekly sessions during Oxford University term times: AllSorts, Zig-Zag, KEEN Teens and GrEAT Social. GrEAT Sports, their newest session, runs all year round.
Website: www.keenoxford.org
Email: [email protected] (for all general enquiries), [email protected] (for all GrEAT enquiries)
Telephone:
- Office: 01865 264 173
- Mobile: 07508 629 443
Where: Various locations in Oxford depending on the activity/session, for example St. Clements’ Family Centre on Cross Street, Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, New College Sports Ground on St Cross Road.
Enrych Oxfordshire
- Competitive rates
- The minimum amount of service we provide Is usually 2 hours per week
- We can help with some housework, gardening, shopping, escorting to appointments or day centres etc, social trips such as visits to garden centres, pubs, cafes, theatre etc
- Our PA’s are all DBS checked, referenced and trained, they are also matched uniquely to the client and the client chooses who they would like to work with
Website: http://oxfordshire.enrych.org.uk/region/oxfordshire/
Contact Name: Katie Spyve
Phone: 07786 772916 / 07720 089477
Email: [email protected]
Shadowlight Artists
The Shadowlight Artists are a unique collective of Oxfordshire based artists with learning disabilities. The group have had tremendous success with the showcasing of their work in mainstream galleries and at national & international festivals.
Website: www.filmoxford.org/shadowlight-artists
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shadowlightartists
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/Shadowlightartists
Phone: 01865 792731
Email: [email protected]
You and Me Supported Living
You and Me aim to offer support and personal care to people with learning disabilities. We have motivated, experienced, fun staff who are able to offer support and care in the home and group activities during the day and evenings. Home support can include responsive night workers, living at the service users home to give respite to existing carers.
Website: www.youandmesupportedliving.co.uk
Contact Name: Carol Henderson
Telephone: 07967599807 - 01608 641153
Email: [email protected]
Address: The Granary, Home Farm, Over Norton. OX7 5PU
SMILE – Sensory Musical Interactive Learning Experience
SMILE sessions provide a space for interaction and communication in a fun way, using smell, touch, taste, sound and sight. It is primarily for adults with complex needs, learning difficulty and autism using a total communication approach but the model can easily be adapted and is also used with children.
SMILE has been running since 2002, originating at Redlands, North Cherwell Day Service. It was set up by Celia Chasey whilst employed by OCC. She now runs SMILE independently providing a package which includes training staff to run sessions in their own venue, in day centres and residential homes.
She also runs sessions for children as part of a holiday scheme or she can tailor sessions to suit individual needs.
SMILE sessions can be visited at Redlands Daytime Support, Banbury - please contact Jayne England, Day Service Worker on 01295 263594.
Website: www.oxtc.co.uk/SMILE.shtml
Contact Name: Celia Chasey
Phone Number: 07904722620
Email: [email protected]
Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers
OACP is a membership organisation for all adult social care providers in Oxfordshire. We offer training and support, lobbying for better funding, and act as a voice for the sector in the County.
Website: www.oacp.org.uk
Contact Name: Eddy McDowall
Phone Number: 01491822604
Email: [email protected]
Address: Stables 4, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8BA
Anjali Dance Company
Anjali Dance Company runs weekly classes during term time for young people with learning disabilities which encourage creative expression and provide an opportunity to learn contemporary dance technique and performance skills. There will be opportunities each term to be involved in a performance.
The class is open to anyone with a learning disability aged over 12 years who loves to dance.
Open Class is held on Tuesday evenings, 5.30 – 7.00pm, at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury. The fee is £80.00 per term and £8.00 for a taster session.
Website: www.anjali.co.uk
Telephone: 01295 251909
Contact Form: www.anjali.co.uk/contact-us
Address: The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury OX16 5QE
Song Unite
Song Unite offers an inclusive, quality and creative art, song writing, recording studio and television production experience. Groups of students are inspired to collaborate to create and write an original song, record and produce it, and more. Workshops and Projects are targeted at all age groups - children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and special educational needs.
Song Unite link and work together in partnership with Schools, Organisations and Groups within the community in Oxfordshire and throughout the UK. Projects are adaptable to group requirements and needs and range from 2-hour introductory "taster" sessions to one week creative projects.
Website: www.songunite.co.uk
Telephone: 07977 145677
E-mail: [email protected]
The Fourteen Club of Wantage
The Fourteen Club is an independent social club for people with learning disabilities. At the time it was set up the minimum age for members was 14 - hence the "Fourteen club". Now most of the members are much older, but the name remains. The club aims to provide its members with fun evenings and the chance to socialise.
They also usually have a summer outing to places such as Legoland, West Midlands safari park and Cadbury world. In the winter they often have a trip to a pantomime.
For their current programme of events, please visit www.14club.org.uk/events.htm!
Website: www.14club.org.uk
Telephone: (01235) 764504
E-mail: [email protected]
Address:The Fourteen Club, Fitzwaryn School, Denchworth Road, Wantage OX12 9ET
Oxford and District Mencap
Oxford & District Mencap was founded in 1961 by parents of children with a wide range of learning disabilities. Activities which are run include:
- The 7 O'Clock Club - a social club for adults with a learning disability.
- Glasbury holidays - a six day outdoor activities course at Woodlands Glasbury on Wye, Powys, each July.
- Hill End holidays in the Oxfordshire countryside. Oxford Mencap organises four weeks of summer holidays for people with learning disabilities. Around 15-20 campers attend each week together with similar numbers of volunteers.
Website: oxfordmencap.org
Contact: For contact details, see oxfordmencap.org/contact/
Farmability
Farms offer a space where people can learn and develop in an outdoor, open environment. The Farm Inspiration Trust currently runs two programmes on FAI (Food Animal Initiative) Farms in Wytham, 5 miles from the centre of Oxford:
- FarmAbility is a day service for adults with autism and learning disabilities
- Outdoor Classroom provides educational visits to the farm for school children
Website: www.farminspirationtrust.org
Phone Number: 01865 245604
Email: [email protected]
Adress The Farm Inspiration Trust, The Field Station, Wytham, Oxford OX2 8QJ
GLADS Day Centre Witney
GLADS - Guideposts Day Opportunities Service is based on the Two Rivers Estate in Witney. It offers a range of different activities including: sports and fitness, music, craft, photography, gardening, IT use, shopping, cooking, reading the News, managing social and health care issues and much more.
Everyone who uses the service has a say in what activities are planned and has access to a minibus to help them get out and about.
Activities are available Monday to Friday.
Website: https://www.guideposts.org.uk/glads-day-centre
Phone: 01993 899988
Email: [email protected]
Address: Willow Tree House, Two Rivers, Station Lane, Witney, OX28 4BH
OX18
OX18 runs every Thursday evening from Guideposts Trust's Witney base. Activities include touch screen computer, wii, pool, snacks, and trips to the local pub. Cost: £4 for the evening.
Website: https://fisd.oxfordshire.gov.uk/kb5/oxfordshire/directory/service.page?id=mD0SaMSkPW8
Phone: 01993 899980
Email: [email protected]
Address: Willow Tree House, Two Rivers, Station Lane, Witney, OX28 4BH
dig ‘n’ grow
dig 'n' grow is a project which encourages all groups of people to enjoy the experience of working individually or within a group, learning and sharing gardening skills. It offers the opportunity to be outside in the fresh air working alongside professional gardeners, giving a safe and secure environment to explore. Carers/families can be happy knowing that their loved ones are safe and having fun.
Website: https://guideposts.org.uk/dig-n-grow-learning-disability-project
Phone Number: 01993 709430 or 01993 772886
Address: Bromag Industrial Estate, Burford Road, Witney, OX29 0SR
Autism Family Support Oxfordshire
Autism Family Support Oxfordshire provides:
- Support and Information for parents
- Activities and workshops for children & young people on the autism spectrum, including youth groups in Oxford and Abingdon
- Information, training, and consultation with professionals, including joint working and development
Website: www.afso.org.uk
Phone: 01844 338696
Email: See their Contact Us page
Address: Thomley Hall Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, HP18 9JZ
South Oxfordshire Mencap Society
The South Oxfordshire Mencap Society is based in Henley-on-Thames. They run a lot of social activities for people with learning disabilities.
For more information, please contact:
Name: Paul Barrett
Email: [email protected]
Hft North Oxfordshire
Hft North Oxfordshire provides a range of person-centred support services for people with learning disabilities, including supported living and domiciliary care, residential care, leisure activities, and work, volunteering and learning opportunities.
Website: www.hft.org.uk/Our-locations/South-East-England/Hft-North-Oxfordshire
Phone: 01295 267906
Email: [email protected]
Address: 47c Broad Street, Banbury, OX16 5BT
Stingray Club
The Stingray Club is the only night club in Oxford run by and for people with learning disabilities.
It takes place at the Plush Lounge, Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU once a month from 7pm – 10.30pm.
Website: http://mylifemychoice.org.uk/stingray/
Address: Plush Lounge, Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HU
Phone: 01865 204214
Easy Read Service
My Life My Choice offers a professional Easy Read service. Easy Read is a way of writing that uses plain English and pictures to make information easier to understand.
Website: http://mylifemychoice.org.uk/easy-read/
Email: [email protected]
Address: The Jam Factory, 27 Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HU
Abingdon My Life My Choice
Local self-advocacy group with monthly meetings in Abingdon. For more details, visit their webpage!
Website: https://www.mylifemychoice.org.uk/resources/5
Phone Number: 01865 204214
Address: 35 Ock St, Abingdon, OX14 5AG