Fun for All Ages
This section gives details of local and national leisure activities that your child may enjoy for many years or which may be suitable for them at a particular age. The lists include activities that are open to all that we have found to be inclusive; activities that have been set up as integrated groups where children with and without special needs can have fun together and activities that are specifically for children and young people with disabilities.
Finally, if you can recommend a group or activity which is not already listed here, please email contactus@askiris.org.uk so we can include it.
- Pre-school aged children
- Libraries
- Leisure Centers
- Soft Play Centres
- Sports Opportunities
- Cinema Screenings
Pre-School Aged Children
Your child will probably enjoy many of the activities available locally for this age group, such as toddler groups, soft playrooms, music groups and gym clubs. The following groups are specifically for children with special needs:
APTCOO Mosaic Under 5’s Group
Carlton Digby School Pre-school Playgroup
Baby Groups at the City Hospital
Tinytalkuk - Baby Signing
Speech, Sign and Song Club - music group for preschool children
Jo Jingles - Music singing and movement group for children from 3 mths–5 yrs.
Early Years Music Groups: Musical playtime for babies & toddlers
Libraries
Many libraries run arts and crafts sessions, story times, and music sessions etc. for preschool children. You can find your local library in the phone book or by contacting:
Nottingham City: 0115 9155555 or www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Nottinghamshire County: 08449 808080 or www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk
Leisure Centres
Nottinghamshire County Leisure Centres details
Nottingham City Leisure Centre details
Soft Play Centres
Oceans of Fun - Fun Filled play for Under 11's.
Open 7 days per week, Seperate Over 4's and baby and toddler areas, friendly and accomodating staff, comfortable seating for parents and carers. Birthday parties and group events can accomodated. The venue has experience working with groups of children with disabilitites, specifcally Autism
Spring Street/Wood Lane, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, NG15 7BZ
0115 9633 961
Sport Opportunities
There are a number of sport and leisure opportunties in the list below, however IRIS would urge you to have a look on the following websites pages for all up to date and new opportunities that are on offer across both the County and City.
County Contact Details:
Nottinghamshire County Council - Disability Sport
Pete Edwards
Performance Development Officer (Disability Sport)
Nottinghamshire County Council, Communities(Sports Service), County Office, Thoroton Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5FT
Telephone 0115 9772884
Mobile 07834801315
Fax 0115 9772870
Melissa Jennings
Inclusive Physical Activity Officer
Eastwood Community Sports Centre, Mansfield Road, Eastwood, NG16 3EB
Telephone: 0115 9173572
Email: melissa.jennings@broxtowe.gov.uk
Dianne Holmes
Physical Activity Officer
Ashfield District Council
Tel: 01623 457233
City Contact Details:
Nottingham City Council - Disability Sport
Sarah Eyley
Disability Sports Development Officer
Sport & Leisure Centres, Nottingham City Council, Woodthorpe Grange, Woodthorpe Drive, Nottingham, NG5 4HA
Tel: 0115 9152755
Fax: 0115 9152738
Helen Coulson
Inclusive Sport and PE Officer
OakfieldSchool and Sports College, Wigman Road, Bilborough, Nottingham, NG8 3HW
Tel: 0115 9152751
Fax: 0115 9152738
Alternative websites that you may also find useful:
Sport Nottinghamshire - the website for clubs, coaches, sport courses and participation opportunities.
EFDS - English Federation of Disability Sport, national organisation responsible for developing sport for disabled people.
Parasport - National website which includes information on disability pathways and local opportunities.
Athletics
Notts Athletic Club
Harvey Hadden Stadium, Wigman Road, Bilborough, Nottingham, NG8 4PB
James Hayden (coaching and development) notts-ac@connectfree.co.uk
Website www.nottsac.co.uk
Session day/time:
Monday 6.00 to 9.00 pm,
Tuesday 6.00 to 8.30 pm
Wednesday 6.00 to 7.00 pm
Thursday 6.00 to 8.30 pm
All impairments catered for
Cricket
Clumber Park Cricket Club
Clumber Park, Worksop.
Telephone A E Mingham 01777 702 400
Email aemingham@gmail.com
Website www.clumberpark.cc
Session day/time:
Thursday - 6pm
Friday - 6pm
Saturday - 1pm
Sunday - 1pm
Age Group: 6 to 66 years
Impairments catered for: Learning Disabilities
Nottinghamshire Disabled Cricket Club
Cuckney Cricket Club, Langwith Road, Cuckney, Warsop, NG20 9NG
Telephone Paul Smith (01623) 628 102
Age Group: 12 + years
Impairments catered for: All
Additional Information: Indoor and outdoor , practice, competitive opportunities and friendly matches
Football
Disability Football Fun & Games
Kimberley Leisure Centre, Newdigate Street, Kimberley
Every Monday from 6-7pm
Cost: Free!!
Ages: 7-16 girls and boys
Pan disability - All abilities.
Disability Football Clubs
Kev Sanders, Disability Football Development Officer, Nottinghamshire Football Association
Telephone 0115 9837415 ext 106 – 07866914470
Unit 6b Chetwynd Business Park, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire- NG9 6RZ
Website http://www.nottinghamshirefa.com/Development/DisabilityFootball/
Dance
College Street Centre, Nottingham, NG1 5AQ
Wednesday 6- 8pm for aged 16 plus
Margaret Stannard
Telephone 0115 9153265
Impairments catered for: All
Drama
Integrated Drama Group
College Street, Nottingham, NG1 5AQ
Tuesday 6- 9pm for aged 12 plus
(Auditions will be needed)
David Stewart
Telephone 0115 9153265
Equestrian
Riding for the Disabled - www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
Ice Skating
National Ice Centre - Inclusion Sessions
National Ice Centre, Bolero Square, The Lace Market, Nottingham, NG1 1LA
Telephone Matt Bradbury (0115) 853 3036
Email: sportsdevelopment@national-ice-centre.com
Website: www.national-ice-centre.com
Sessions day/time: Please phone for details or provide e-mail address to be added to the inclusion e-mail distribution list.
Age Group: 5 upwards
Multi Sports Clubs
Club Elevate
Dukeries Leisure Centre, Whinney Lane, New Ollerton, NG22 9QA
Pete Edwards (0115) 977 2884
Email: pete.edwards@nottscc.gov.uk
Activities: Multi Sports
Session day/time: Tuesday 5.30 to 7.00 pm
Age Group: 5 to 18 years
Impairments catered for: Visual
Actionnaires Nottinghamshire
Southglade Leisure Centre, Southglade Road, Bestwood, Nottingham, NG5 5GU
Ian Keetley (0115) 970 6806
Email: info@nrsb.org.uk
Activities: Multi Sports
Session day/time: Saturday 13:30pm to 4.30 pm
Age Group: 6 to 19 years
Impairments catered for: Visual
Additional Information: Sporting and non-sporting. Information available in all formats.
Inclusive Multi-Sports Club
The Pearson Centre for Young People, 2 Nuart Road, Beeston, Nottingham
Every Wednesday from 4.30-5.30pm
Cost: £3 per session
Ages: 7-16 years
Pan Disabilities - All abilities
Contact: Chris Lacey Sports Co-ordinator, 01159254112, sportsworker@thepearsoncentre.org.uk
Swimming
Bingham Penguins
Bingham Leisure Centre, The Banks, Bingham, Nottingham, NG13 8BL
Mike and Carol Halpin (0115) 989 0366
Email: Mhalp140@aol.com
Activities: Swimming
Session day/time: Friday 8pm & Sunday 6.30pm
Age Group: 4 to + years
Impairments catered for: All
Additional Information: Need to telephone as there is a waiting list. Information available on request
Sherwood Seals Swimming Club for the Disabled
Sherwood Baths, Westdale Road, Mansfield, NG19 7BZ
AshfieldSchool, Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, NG17 8HP
Telephone Pete Edwards (0115) 977 2884
Email pete.edwards@nottscc.gov.uk
Activities: Swimming
Session day/time: Monday 6.30, Thursday 7.30
Age Group: 5 to + years
Impairments catered for: All
Additional Information: Teach/coach swimming under the rules of the ASA, teach beginners and coach up to elite level 20
Bramcote Leisure Centre, Bramcote
Every Sunday from 11.30am
Cost: £4.10 per session to be paid in blocks
Ages:7-16 years
Special Olympics
Special Olympics (Mansfield)
GaribaldiSchool, Forest Road, Mansfield, NG19 0JX
Pete Edwards (0115) 977 2884 pete.edwards@nottscc.gov.uk
Activities: Multi Sports
Session day/time: Wednesday 6.00 to 7.00 pm
Age Group: 8 to 80 years
Impairments catered for: Learning disabilities
Additional Information: Multi sports, football, badminton, Boccia, Table Top games 17
Special Olympics Nottinghamshire
City Site- Oak Field School and Sports College
Monday 6:30- 8:00pm
Multisports Club to create and promote sporting opportunities for people with a learning disability (aged 8 upwards) (Poster attached)
h.coulson@oakfield.nottingham.sch.uk
Telephone 07824 871706 or 0115 9153265
Tennis
Nottingham Tennis Centre
University Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 2QH
Peter Whitehead, Tennis Manager (0115) 915 0050 peter.whitehead@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/tenniscentre
Activities: wheelchair tennis (Martyn Jones)
Session day/time: Sunday 9 to 11 am
Age Group: 4 years to adult
Impairments catered for: Physical disability
Additional Information: Recreation, coaching and competitions. Where appropriate, players with disabilities are integrated into regular public sessions held throughout the week. Junior courses and camps are held during school holiday periods.
West BridgfordTennis Club
Little Bounds, Off Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QA
Lesley Whitehead (0115) 981 1699 lesley@west-bridgford-tennis-club.co.uk
www.west-bridgford-tennis-club.co.uk
Activities: Mini tennis coaching and competition
Session day/time: Monday to Sunday 9 am to 10 pm
Age Group: 3 to 83 years
Impairments catered for: Learning disabilities
Additional Information: Base for East Midlands Special Olympics Tennis Squad. Disability programme and social events
Trampolining
Nightflyers Trampoline Club
Harvey Hadden Sports Complex, Wigman Road, Bilborough, Nottingham, NG8 4PB
Toni Jantschenko
www.nightflyers.org.uk
Session day/time:
Monday 7 pm to 8.30 pm
Wednesday 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm
Friday 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm
Impairments catered for: Any
Water Sports
British Disabled Water Ski Association HPP Nottingham
National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham, NG12 2OU
Denise Gubbins 07521 718 605 bdwsayorkshire.central@ntlworld.com
www.bdwsa.org Follow links for regions
Activities: Watersports
Session day/time: Please contact for dates through the year
Age Group: 6 to 60 years
Impairments catered for: All
Additional Information: water ski-ing and water rides
Wheelchair Basketball
Jaguars Wheelchair Basketball Club
Magnus Sports Centre, Earp Avenue, Newark, NG24 4AB
Ian Brown 07800 859 841
Activities: Wheelchair Basketball
Session day/time: Wednesday 8pm to 10 and Saturday 1pm to 4
Age Group: 7 to 100 years
Impairments catered for: All wheelchair users, any lower limb disability
Mansfield Maulers Wheelchair Basketball Club
The Brunts School, The Park, Park Avenue, Mansfield, NG18 2AT
Andrew Tyler 07831 267 973 andrew.tyler@tybro.co.uk
Activities: Wheelchair Basketball
Session day/time: Tuesday 7 to 9 pm and Saturday 11 am to1pm
Age Group: 8 +
Impairments catered for: All
Additional Information: Wheelchair Basketball 25
Wheelchair Badminton
Nottingham Blazers Wheelchair Badminton Club
Ellis Guilford Sports College, Bar Lane, Basford, Nottingham, NG6 0HT
Elaine Spray 07725 413 551 elainespray@btinternet.com
Activities: Badminton
Session day/time: Friday 7pm to 9pm
Wheelchair Fencing
Nottingham City Fencing Club
Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, Boundary Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG27BY
Colin Swift sabrecoach@btconnect.com
Activities: Fencing and wheelchair fencing for people in Nottingham and surrounding area
Session day/time Friday 8 to 10 pm
Age Group 9 to 90 years
Impairments catered for: Wheelchair users.
Additional information: All levels from beginners to advanced.
Wheelchair Rugby
East Midlands Marauders Wheelchair Rugby Club
Sutton Bonington Sports Centre, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD
Neville Burrell 07810 201 034 neville.b@mac.com
Activities: Wheelchair rugby, coaching and competitions
Session day/time Tuesday 12 to 3 pm and Wednesday 8 to 10 pm
Age Group 16 to 60 years
Impairments catered for: quadriplegic, beginners to Great Britain standard
Additional Information: Wheelchair fitness, chair skills, ball drills, coaching, game play.
Cinema Screenings
Local
Broadway Cinema - Austim Friendly Screenings (Nottingham)
Derby Quad Cineam - Autism Friendly Screenings (Derby)
National
Artsline: 0207 388 2227
Information on access to arts venues www.artsline.org.uk
Some of the larger themed parks like Legoland and London Zoo offer concessions and also organise special days for disabled children and their families, so contact them directly for details.
There are several organisations which some of us have found very useful, such as 'Kids' (inclusive play for children with special needs and disabilities) and Action for Leisure, who have a number of 'factsheets' about different aspects of play; for example, a list of where to get toys (like dolls, jigsaws etc.) which show children with different disabilities.
Letterbox Library is a book club which specialises in multi-cultural books, and they also have a whole selection of books that feature children with special needs as characters. Listening Books is an audio book library that charges a membership fee for its catalogue and postage costs.