Finding support in Leeds
Find out about support and services in Leeds and how they can help you and your family.
It’s not always easy to find the right support or service for you. There is, however, a lot of support available in Leeds that can help you and your family, including many options you can access directly.
From parent and carer support groups to advice and information about common worries like money and housing; we’ve created a list of helpful services. Take a look at the services below to find out about the support available in the city.
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Active Leeds Disability Sport
Active Leeds is part of Leeds City council and offers a range of sport activities across the city.
On their website, you can find information about the Leeds Inclusive Sports Programme as well as activities and groups for different sports, like adapted cycling.
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Carers Leeds
Carers Leeds is an independent charity that provides specialist support, advice, and information to unpaid carers aged 16 and over.
They offer one to one and group support as well as an advice service that can be accessed over the phone or through email.
0113 380 4300
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Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS)
CYPMHS is a specialist mental health service for children and young people under 18 and their families. It’s part of the NHS and provides services tailored to the needs of the children and young people such as mental health assessments and therapy. You may also see the term children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) used.
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Citizens Advice Leeds
Citizens Advice Leeds offer free, independent and confidential advice on a wide range of subjects. They can help with housing, work, money and many other problems.
0808 2 78 78 78
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Downs Syndrome Association
The Downs Syndrome Association supports people who have Down’s syndrome, and their parents and carers, throughout their lives. From before birth into older age, the Downs Syndrome Association provides services to everyone.
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Families Together Leeds - Family Action
The Families Together Leeds service provides practical, emotional, and financial support to families across Leeds.
The service supports families who may be experiencing poverty, low-income, or housing issues.
Families Together Leeds have Family Support Workers who provide one-to-one support, as well as group support.
To find out more about the support they offer and how to access the service call Families Together Leeds on 0113 532 6587 or email leeds.admin@family-action.org.uk.
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Family Fund
The UK's largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children or young people aged 17 or under.
Visit the Family Fund website to find out more about the help they provide and how to apply for grant funding.
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Family Information Service
The Family Information Service is a local website run by Leeds City Council.
It has a section dedicated to SEND that provides information to help and support children and young people with special educational needs or disability.
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Future Horizons
Future Horizons is a specialist post-19 college and social care day provision for young adults with complex learning and/or physical difficulties.
They offer tailored support to prepare their learners to move into adulthood through a range of in-house and community based activities to help them achieve their personal goals.
0113 274 7894
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Integrated Children’s Additional Needs Service (ICAN)
The ICAN service provides a single point of access to a range of community health services that support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.
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Leeds ABC Group
Leeds Autism, Behaviour and Communication (ABC) Group provides help, support and advice for parents and families of children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
The group offers:
- support groups,
- family fun activities,
- weekly youth groups,
- drop-in advice sessions, and,
- training for parents and external organisations.
Keep up to date with events and activities on the ABC Group Facebook page.
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Leeds Autism AIM
A free service for autistic adults in Leeds who receive little or no funded support. It is co-led by a number of autistic adults and parents/carers of autistic adults.
The service provides advocacy, information, autistic-led groups and post-diagnosis support for newly diagnosed autistic adults.
0113 244 0606
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Leeds Local Offer
The Leeds Local Offer is a website that provides information for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents or carers in a single place.
It shows families what they can expect from a range of local agencies including education, health and social care. As well as links to local support groups and services.
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Leeds Mencap
We know having a child with a learning disability can come with unique experiences that leave you looking for an understanding peer group, in need of specialist advice, or unsure of where to turn to. Our family services team offer a wide variety of support that can be accessed over the phone, in-person or online.
We can help you find the right support networks and be an advocate by supporting you to express your views and help you stand up for your rights. Contact us on 0113 235 1331, or email info@leedsmencap.org.uk
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Leeds Mind
Mind is a mental health charity providing information and advice on how to manage common mental health problems, where to find support and legal help.
Leeds Mind is a local service that provides information and support for people living in Leeds. They offer a range of services including support groups, counselling, and employment support.
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Little Hiccups
Little Hiccups is a Leeds based support group set up by and for parents who have children, under the age of 16, with additional needs.
The group offers a range of support and activities for families including family fun days, sports sessions, equipment hire and counselling.
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MindMate
MindMate is a local mental health website for young people and their families.
It can help young people to find:
- services to support their wellbeing,
- information on common mental health problems, and
- who to contact in a mental health emergency.
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MindWell
MindWell is the mental health website for people in Leeds. It has lots of information and wellbeing support including:
- information about common mental health problems,
- resources and tools to support positive mental wellbeing, and
- links to services in the city including who to contact in a mental health emergency.
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National Autistic Society
The UK’s leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families.
Their website provides information and advice on a wide range of issues affecting autistic people.
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People Matters
People Matters support people with learning disabilities and other hidden disabilities to become more independent and enjoy life in the same ways as anybody else.
They offer a range of services including individual support, social groups and employment services. Find out more about their services.
0113 234 6896
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Purple Patch Arts
Purple Patch Arts provide creative learning opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.
They support people to engage with new experiences and reach their full potential through inclusive, fun and informal activities that are designed to be accessible to all. All of their activities allow people to express themselves, build social connections and increase communication skills, independence and confidence.
Purple Patch Arts have a range of activities and groups that focus on creativity including art, drama, music, movement and multi-sensory activities.
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Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan is there to help you through it. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
116 123
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Scope
Scope is a charity that provides practical advice and emotional support for disabled people and their families.
Support can be accessed through a free disability helpline, an online community and a range of employment and child sleep services.
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SENDIASS
Special Education Needs & Disabilities information, advice and support services
SENDIASS is a free, impartial and confidential service for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.
Parents, carers and young people can access information, advice and resources on the SENDIASS website or by contacting the service.
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Sense
Sense is a national charity that offers information, advice and support for people living with complex disabilities.
Sense provides personalised and flexible services including early intervention for children, helping young people access education and supporting the transition into adulthood.
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Shout
Shout is a free, confidential text messaging service for anyone in the UK.
To start a conversation, text the word ‘shout’ to 85258. Available 24 hours a day.
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SNAPS – Special Needs and Parents Support
A local charity that provides leisure support services for children with special needs and their families. SNAPS operates in 2 locations across the city of Leeds, and offers a space for children, their siblings and parents to relax.
SNAPS offer hydro and rebound therapy, stay and play sessions and a range of activities including dance, music and storytelling.
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Sunshine and Smiles - Leeds Down Syndrome Network
Sunshine and Smiles is a parent-led network that organises groups and events to improve the lives and opportunities for children and young people with Down Syndrome.
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Through the Maze
An information and signposting service fin Leeds for adults with learning disabilities, family carers and professionals.
The Through the Maze website has lots of information about events, activities and groups being run for people with learning disabilities. They can also signpost you to services.
They offer support in a range of ways, including a telephone helpline, drop in sessions and a magazine that is posted out every 3 months.
0113 270 3233
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Touchstone
Touchstone provides a range of health and wellbeing support across Yorkshire.
They offer a variety of services in Leeds and work with people from diverse communities in the city.
Touchstone runs the Well-bean Hope in a Crisis Café that offers support and practical help to people in crisis.
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West Yorkshire Children’s Additional Need Network (CANN)
An online list of charities and organisations that offer support for children with additional needs in Leeds.
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William Merritt Centre
Local charity that offers impartial and professional advice for children and adults. They carry out assessments on a range of mobility equipment to help people find the right equipment for them before they buy.
The Centre also has a regional driving assessment service that offers driving assessments, passenger assessments and vehicle adaptation assessments.
0113 350 8989
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Young Minds
The UK’s leading charity for children and young people’s mental health.
The Young Minds website has support, information and advice for young people and their parents and carers. Including a Parents Helpline that offers vital advice and guidance to parents/carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health.
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ZIG ZAG
A parent-led support group for parents and carers of children on the Autistic Spectrum (with or without a diagnosis).
The group provides advice and support, soft play sessions and autism awareness training.
Visit the ZIG ZAG Facebook page to find out about their events and groups.
