Here is an A-Z list of facilities and organisations in the Bristol area that you may be interested to know about.
133rd Bristol (Newfoundland) Scout Group
Providing Scouting for young people with disabilities in Bristol.
Contact: Chris Jones
Tel: 01249 661266
Email: chris.jones@avonscouts.org.uk
Adventure playgrounds
These council-run facilities provide an excellent safe space for young people to play. The playgrounds are open for families of children with disabilities, with drop-in sessions throughout the week at the locations listed below.
St Paul's Adventure Playground
Thomas Street
St Paul's
Bristol BS2 9LL
Tel: 0117 954 2145
Lockleaze Adventure Playground
Romney Avenue
Lockleaze
Bristol BS7 9SU
Tel: 0117 979 8311
Southmead Adventure Playground
Doncaster Road
Southmead
Bristol BS10 5PP
Tel: 0117 950 3607
Felix Road Adventure Playground
Felix Road
Easton
Bristol BS5 OJW
Tel: 0117 955 1265
Avon Riding Centre
Avon Riding Centre is a charity that offers riding tuition and therapy to adults and children with all kinds of disabilities in a purpose-built centre in Bristol.
Avon Riding Centre
Kings Weston Road
Henbury
Bristol BS10 7QT
Tel: 0117 959 0266
Email: reception@avonridingcentre.org.uk
City Farms
The City Farm and Adventure Playground centres offer a child-centred, stimulating and safe environment in which to meet and play. A team of experienced play workers and volunteers are on hand to support children and young people. On Thursdays Windmill Hill City Farm runs 'Let’s all play', an inclusive play session for children with disabilities from noon-4pm. The various city farm venues are listed below.
Windmill Hill City Farm
Philip Street
Bedminster
Bristol BS3 4EA
Tel: 0117 963 3252
Email: info@windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
St Werburgh’s City Farm
Watercress Road
St Werburgh's
Bristol BS2 9YJ
Tel: 0117 942 8241
Email: office@swcityfarm.co.uk
Lawrence Weston Community Farm
Saltmarsh Drive
Lawrence Weston
Bristol BS11 0NJ
Tel: 0117 938 1128
Email: office@lwfarm.org.uk
Disability Sports
Disability Sports offers an ever-expanding programme of activities across Bristol. They are based at the following locations.
St Paul's Community Sports Centre
Tel: 0117 377 3406
Email: dawnslade@slm-ltd.co.uk
Horfield Leisure Centre
Tel: 07919 211 769
Email: alison2.Finn@uwe.ac.uk
Eating Disorders Association
Local support for people affected by eating disorders.
Eating Disorders Association
12 Grove Road
Redland
Bristol BS6 6UJ
Tel: 01454 271000
Youthline (18 and under): 0845 634 7650 or text to 07977 493 345
Website: www.edauk.com
Families in Touch
Supports families with disabled children and young people through playschemes, coffee mornings, support groups and social activities.
Beachley Walk Centre
Old Barrow Hill
Shirehampton
Bristol BS11 9PU
Tel: 0117 982 0584
Email: family001@btconnect.com
The Indigo Project
Support for young people aged 13-24 in Bristol and South Gloucestershire who self-injure. The Indigo Project is also planning to start an activity group.
Contact: Jackie Marsh
Tel: 07790 645 078 or 0117 960 2020
Email: www.indigoproject.co.uk
KHAAS
Khaas seeks to improve the lives of disabled children from south Asian communities, their carers and families. Khaas provides Saturday respite care, a holiday playscheme, health-related sessions, short courses, a young carers’ project and information workshops.
St Werburgh's Community Centre
Horley Road
Bristol BS2 9TJ
Tel: 0117 955 4070
KIDS South West - Time For You
Provides flexible short-term care for disabled children and their siblings so that parents can have a break. The childcare is provided in your home and is available for up to 12 hours a month.
Helen Martell or Dan Cary
Acorn House
Kingswood Foundation
Britannia Road
Kingswood
Bristol BS15 1DB
Tel: 0117 947 6111
Email: enquiries.bristol@kids.org.uk
Misfits Theatre Company
Misfits has a youth theatre group for young people with learning disabilities aged 16-25. As well as putting on productions, some based on participants' own life experiences, there are regular drama workshops and nightclub events.
Gladstone Street
Bedminster
Bristol BS3 3AY
Tel: 0117 953 2448
Email: info@acta-bristol.com
Music Space
Music Space provides community-based music therapy services for children and adults in Bristol, Gloucester and Bath.
The Southville Centre
Beauley Road
Bristol BS3 1QG
Tel: 0117 953 1731
Email: bris.musicspace@btconnect.com
Occupational therapy
Contact your GP or local social services if you would like your child to receive an assessment by an occupational therapist. It does, however, seem to be quite difficult to obtain an assessment from the NHS.
You can contact Julie Quartley (occupational therapist) for a private assessment.
Tel: 01225 752688 or 07546 906133
Website: www.juliequartley.co.uk
Shared Care Network
Shared Care Network is a national organisation which promotes family-based short breaks for disabled children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
63-66 Easton Business Centre
Felix Road
Bristol BS5 0HE
Tel: 0117 941 5361
Therapy Space
An independent occupational therapy service for children and adults with sensory processing difficulties.
Contact: Linda Plowden
Tel: 0117 907 9189
Website: www.therapyspacebristol.co.uk