Making Sense Together
A community day to raise awareness and support people with learning disabilities or autism, promoting inclusivity for all.
Attractions include:
- Quiet place for calm and reflection in St Cuthbert’s Church with quiet colouring activities.
- Market Square - please see activities and exhibitors list below
Activities - we will programme a variety of sensory, learning and engaging activities for you to enjoy, some may not be to your taste but we hope with all the choice you'll all find things to enjoy throughout the day.
- Yvonne Preston with drop in craft activities
- Facepainting
- Miss Print art activity
- Meraki Reconnect - nature inspired activity
Confirmed Exhibtors
Darlington Association on Disability (DAD) exist to promote independence and choice. DAD support disabled people and carers through the provision of services, support and information, and by tackling issues affecting disabled people both locally and nationally.
Darlington Carers Support offers a variety of different services to local Carers. They can work with you to help you find the information you need finding your way through the maze of services and support available to you as a Carer.
Darlington Mental Health Support Team (MHST) which is a team within the Durham and Darlington Getting Help Service. The service provides mental health interventions for children and young people who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety and/or depression, with the MHST working directly in schools to support children’s mental health and well-being.
Healthwatch Darlington is your local independent health and social care champion. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, we want to hear about your experiences. As an independent organisation delivering statutory duties, we have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care.
Intertwined reaches out to an array of people (all ages and abilities) within the North East. Providing a range of inclusive, engaging sessions which focus on increasing wellbeing, whilst also having excellent health, social and developmental benefits. A range of sessions can be offered, examples being Dance, Makaton, Mind and Mobility, Fitness, Yoga, Relaxation which can be group sessions or 1:1. Intertwined always aims to:
Learning a New Way CIC offers a range of term time and holiday provision for local children.
We run inclusive community groups in venues across County Durham as well as groups specifically for children with additional needs. Our sessions have a focus on encouraging independence, emotional wellbeing and having fun!
SENDelight Gifts is a UK-based social enterprise founded by a mother of an autistic child, with a mission to provide affordable, inclusive, and sensory-focused products tailored for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Rooted in lived experience, the business is dedicated to creating accessible, high-quality resources that support both children and their families. To further our commitment to the SEND community, we offer special discounts for registered parent carer members through our website, ensuring affordability remains at the heart of our operations.
Public Toilets are located in:
- The Dolphin Centre - Accessible toliets and baby changing
- Cornmill Shopping Centre - access next to WHSMITH lift and escalator access (accessible and baby changing)
- House of Fraser - 2nd Floor with lift and escalator access (accessible and baby changing)
- The Market Hall - flat access from West Row by Angie's Diner (accessible and baby changing)
- Darlington Library - lift access entrypoint on corner of building by Sports Direct (accessible and baby changing)
Exhibitor Enquiries
The aim of the free to visit event is to offer families an accessible event to come and explore and enjoy. I am looking for – workshops and activities, products, charities and information stands to offer the visitors a selection of lots of businesses to support our visitors.
The event has quiet spaces, accessible toilets and facilities available to provide a welcoming space to come to Darlington and meet other families.
For 2025 we have a marquee space for exhibitors, activities and exploration and I think your ethos and products/services would fit really well at the event and we’d love to welcome you to Darlington.
Please fill in the link below to express an interest in being involved and if you have any questions/suggestions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.