Groups
There are lots of groups out there for support, information and social interaction - you are not alone!
Please take a look below to find something of interest to you. If you cannot find a group that you want to join, why not get in touch with us to discuss trying to set something up yourself with our help? If you know of any groups that we do not list but would be of interest to local autistic people or their carers, please get in touch so that we can provide the best selection for our users.
Should you notice anything incorrect or out to date in these listings, please email us.
Support groups
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www.achieveinbathnes.co.uk/about-achieve
Achieve in B&NES provides a job and course search service for anybody wishing to enter the workplace or progress their career. There are several free and funded courses from local providers on offer.
Achieve are a built network of local businesses as well as support services, who can confidently offer real jobs, opportunities in the routes to employment and support which meets the needs of the residents, both now and for a productive future. Our focus is to build an accessible network of support to help individuals reach their full potential and goals.
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Opportunity for musicians
An opportunity has arisen to showcase musicians with autism in conjunction with Autistic Eye, a not for profit community interest company which promotes, publishes and sells work by artists with autism.Please email a short video of any autistic musicians playing/performing or call. Please visit Autistic Eye website.
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BASS Autism Services for Adults provide a service to adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and professionals and carers who support them.
There are allocated services for four geographical areas: BASS@Bristol, BASS@Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), BASS@North Somerset and BASS@South Gloucestershire.
For further information click here. Alternatively email: awp.bass@nhs.net or call at 01275 796204.
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Autistic young people aged 8-21 years
Come and join us to see what a club session is like. Activities include fabric bag decorating, chocolate art, pool, air hockey, table tennis and table football.
Tuesday evenings 6.30pm-9.30pm.The group for children aged 8-14 years runs from 6.30pm-8.00pm. The group for young people aged 14-21 years runs from 8.00pm-9.30pm.
Riverside, London Road, BA1 6AE
To book please email.
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Bristol Autism Support (BAS) provides a support network for families affected by autism in Bristol and South Gloucester. Organising and running events and activities including Coffee mornings, Sunday Socials for autism families, Evening support group meetings, Stitch & Bitch craft sessions.
Our goal is to provide a wide range of opportunities for parents and carers of children with autism to connect with each other. Our strong community helps equip parents and carers with the knowledge required to help them better support the children they look after.
For further information: www.bristolautismsupport.com or Facebook group.
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Bristol Black Carers supports carers and those whom they care for to access mainstream care and health related public services. We provide regular support group meetings, organise trips and activities to give carers a break and can offer support, advice and information over the phone, at our offices or a home visit can be arranged.
For further information: www.bristolblackcarers.org.uk, email admin@bristolblackcarers.org.uk or call 0117 379 0084
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We are a friendly group of parents who care for children and young people with disabilities and special needs in Bristol. Our goal is to work in partnership with authorities in Bristol to shape the services provided for our children and ourselves. With the help of all parents these initiatives are more likely to be successful in bringing about positive changes for parent carers and their children living in Bristol.
For further information: www.bristolparentcarers.org.uk or call on 0117 9396645 ext 204.
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Butterflies-Haven is a voluntarily run organisation, based in Keynsham, which provides a safe environment for all family members who are affected by Autism. We run weekly sessions for children to help them develop, learn new skills and express themselves more fully. We also provide somewhere for families to share experiences and provide each other with support.
For further information: www.butterflies-haven.com, email: butterfliesnetwork@hotmail.com, Mobile: 07595 089387.
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The Carers' Centre provides a great deal of help for carers, who are resident in BaNES or support someone living in BaNES, focussing on: Information, Support and Advice, Emotional support, Give Us A Break, Personal development, Tele-befriending, Community Carer Support Officers (Bath, Keynsham, Somer Valley, Chew Valley)
For more information please visit: www.banescarerscentre.org.uk, or email info@banescarerscentre.org.uk, or call 0800 0388 885.
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The Carers' Support Centre in Fishponds provides support, information and advice to carers living in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas. Many carers do not consider themselves to be a carer - they are just looking after someone who needs help and getting on with what needs to be done. In order to care safely and in good health, carers need information, support, respect and recognition.
Service update: Our training has moved online so carers with internet access can still attend sessions virtually. All Carers Support Centre courses and workshops for carers are free. Whether caring is a new part of your life or you’ve been caring for a long time, our online training will help you develop skills and confidence to support you in your caring role. Go to the website for further information
For more information: www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk or call 0117 965 2200.
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Provides information, advice and support for families. Bringing them together so they can support each other, as well as campaign to improve their circumstances and for their right to be included and equal in society.
For further information: contact.org.uk or Free helpline: 0808 808 3555.
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Evolve offer dynamic and innovative support for young people with learning disabilities and autism from the age of 16. They are part of Options Support, a leading care and support organisation operating throughout Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset. Their programme runs from their central meeting hub and training base - The Barton Hill Settlement, Bristol.
They work closely with schools and colleges in order to provide a smooth transition process for young people leaving education. Young people can access Evolve through Social Care funding, Personal Budgets, Direct Payments, or private funding.
For further information: www.optionssupport.com, email: hello@optionssupport.com or tel: 0117 966 7451.
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Top to Toe is for people with a learning difficulty and autism. They run friendly sessions where you can talk about your health.
Location: Life Church, 48 Forest Road, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3XQ (The 48 and 49 buses stop nearby.)
If you would like to join in or have any questions you can call or please email to toptotoe@keyring.org. Alternatively, visit their website here.
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Organic Blooms is an organic cut flower farm near Bristol, which is a social enterprise, offering city and guilds training and work preparation for local people with disabilities and support needs. Go to their website for their latest news
At Organic Blooms we believe that we provide the environment, the expertise, and the inspiration to enable people to achieve their potential and to overcome barriers that they face when considering training and work.
People can be referred to Organic Blooms by a health professional and if, after a trial period, it seems like the right placement, a person can spend up to 3 days a week with us, learning all the seasonal tasks that occur in a working flower nursery and florist business. We are also able to deliver City and Guilds qualifications, which are a very important step when preparing for work. Many of our trainees progress on to work in horticulture, and some are employed in our own business.
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Our service is for any parent carer in South Gloucestershire with a child aged 0-25 with a Special Educational Need and/or Disability (SEND) from physical disabilities to social communication, learning disabilities etc. No diagnosis is needed to access us. Being parent carers ourselves, we have an in-depth understanding of the issues we all face; from the challenges, to the joys our children bring!
The group organises: events, focus groups and activities including monthly Coffee Mornings, held at Poole Court, Yate. We provide a chance to chat and listen to other parents, and share thoughts, experiences and information.
For further information: www.sglosparentsandcarers.org.uk.
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We are a small, friendly group of carers that meet on alternate Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons in South Gloucestershire to sing together. If you are a Carer in South Gloucestershire, come and join us!
Yate Parish Hall, Yate, fortnightly on a Tuesday 10:30 - 12:30pm
Kingswood Community Centre, fortnightly on a Wednesday 1 - 3pm
For further information: contact Douglas Watts email: southgloscarerschoir@gmail.com or phone: 07909 118 949.
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The Carers Support Alliance is led by Alliance Homes. They support carers living in North Somerset.
They offer:
- Information and advice
- Carers Assessments to help you find the right support
- Various support groups and activities for carers
- A counselling service
If you are a carer, and you want to find out what help is available for you, please contact Alliance Care on 03000 120 120 (choose option 3).
For information about support for adult carers visit the Alliance Care website.
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SEND and You (SAY) is the statutory SENDIAS Service (Special Educational Needs/Disability Information, Advice and Support) for parents, children and young people. This independent charity meets the local authorities' legal duty to provide a free, confidential and impartial service to any person aged up to 25 who has a concern about any aspect of special educational needs/disability.
For further information: www.sendandyou.org.uk, email: support@sendandyou.org.uk or tel: 0117 989 7725
9.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday in term-time (answerphone available all other times).
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The Hive works with people with a learning disability, their families and carers, providing support and information on a range of issues such as healthcare, education, housing, leisure and benefits. They run a variety of leisure and social clubs as well as drop in activities.
For further information: www.thehiveavon.org.uk, email: office@thehiveavon.org.uk or tel: 0117 9614372.
We have had some issues with Facebook recently resulting in them unpublishing our page after 10 years.
We have had to start a new page with a slightly different name. We now need people to like and follow us and hope that you will want to. Please click on the link to do so www.facebook.com/TheHiveAvonLtd.
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We believe that communities are stronger and healthier when everyone is able to contribute. So we offer a range of services to support disabled people in different areas or at different times of their lives – whenever they need it. Peer Support is a provision of social opportunities run by and for disabled people in Bristol, South Glos and North Somerset, including monthly meet-ups and trips and events. Learn new skills and become as involved as you want!
For further information: www.wecil.co.uk, email: hello@wecil.co.uk or call: 0117 947 9911.
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WE WORK for Everyone is a free employment support programme for people with a learning difficulty and autistic people.
To be eligible you must:
- live in the West of England: Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset
- be over 16
- not be in employment
- have a learning difficulty, or be autistic.
To make a referral, send in a completed enrolment form, or contact details to weworkforeveryone@bristol.gov.uk, or call us on 0117 922 3330
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Your Voice South West - Inclusion Gloucestershire
The Your Voice project started in January 2021 and is a self-advocacy network group in which organisations within the South West can link up and discuss best practices and barriers people face within healthcare and social care systems.
Funded by NHS England and Improvement and led by Experts by Experience, it holds a number of monthly Speak Up meetings where people can voice their concerns and opinions. This feedback is then provided to the NHS aiming to improve services and communication.
To get involved and join the network please visit their website or email yourvoice@inclusion-glos.org for more information.
Social groups
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Lauren Smith has set up a Community Interest Company - A Different Perspective CIC;
On her facebook page she says:
"I hold a monthly social group for young people with autism aged 13-30 in North Somerset and deliver training to a range of parents and professionals. The core aspect of my work is to develop individual’s self-esteem, confidence and independence in the community and the setting they are in, whether this be school, college/university or employment and to promote understanding of autism to improve people's experiences, particularly within education."
Details of her organisation are shown on their website and facebook page:
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We are a Bristol based charity designed to raise awareness of the way that autism presents in females.
The committee of Auti.ms first came together in the early months of 2019 after Sophie McInnes published her story on social media. As individuals we each read her story and felt like she was describing the life experiences of either ourselves or our loved ones. As a group, we decided that it was time for change and Auti.Ms was born.
We are 5 Bristol based ladies whose lives have all been touched by autism. Two of us have, or are awaiting our own diagnosis and 3 of us are mums to autistic daughters.
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This is a group for autistic women take a look at our Facebook group to find out what we are all about.
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A NEW Autistic & LD Friendly Choir.
Sessions will run weekly (term time only) 10.30am - 11.30am, The Old Library, Muller Rd, Eastville, Bristol, BS5 6UQ.
The choir will be run by myself, Kate, a music leader with experience of working with the LD & Autistic community in Bristol.
Each session will be £3.50 (with a 10% discount if the whole term is paid in advance) Carers are free, and the choir will run in term time only.
We will be learning vocal warm ups and songs with actions and harmony with a view to doing public performances.
There is a café at the venue which opens at 10am and will be open to use after the session.
To reserve a space call Kate on 07800 965 803. Please do ring if you have any questions or would like to talk about a service user's suitability for this activity.
Please note - The Old Library is accessible for wheelchair users but currently does not have a disabled toilet.
Do feel free to share this information with anyone who you think would be interested in coming along to the choir!
You can also like us on our Facebook page: Bristol Umbrella Singers.
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Diverse (which has evolved from the Bristol Asperger Social Group) is a social and support network for adults 16+ that identify as Autistic. They cover the Avon area - Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Diverse Groups:
- Bristol Arts & Crafts Group
- Bristol GAME Belong Social
- Bristol Band Social Group
- Bristol Walking Group
- Bristol Pub Group & Games Group
- Bristol and Bath Cinema Group
- South Bristol Football Group
- Creative Writing
- Dungeons and Dragons (Online)
- Table Tennis
- Diverse Bristol Tennis
- Photography
- Social Bike Ride
For more information including where and when the groups are next meeting, please look on the Diverse Facebook page or check out their events webpage.
Any questions or ideas for your own group, please email: Marie - Marie@diverseuk.org or Harry - Harry@diverseuk.org
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Diverse UK has some money for 2022 to run outdoor activities. This could be walking, cycling, 5 a side football, outdoor photography, outdoor yoga, keep fit classes etc. These will be small groups, no pressure to talk, opportunities to try something new or just go for a walk and get out of your home for an hour or so.
The activities are across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire for anyone who is autistic or neurodiverse.
You can get involved in several ways:
- maybe you or your loved one would like to join a group eg gentle walking group
- or maybe you or your loved one might like to run a group (and get paid)
- or maybe you could spare a few hours to volunteer with the project.
If you would like to know more please email. For further information on Diverse UK and all their activities, go to their Facebook page.
Diverse UK has a job opportunity to manage their Calm Sensory Space at various festivals this year. This is a sensory space that means that people who love music and festivals can attend them without feeling too overwhelmed as there is always a safe, calm space to go. There are both paid and voluntary role opportunities if you would like to gain some experience.
If you are interested please visit the job opportunities page on their website.
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Gig Buddies and Sports Buddies are a great way to go out and meet people with similar interests to you.
How does it work?"Each participant is matched to one volunteer by the Gig Buddies coordinators. You then meet your buddy once a month to plan what you’ll do together, and once a month to go to a gig, concert, club night or another cultural event."
To find out more about Gig or Sports Buddies visit their website: About Gig Buddies - Gig Buddies.
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After the launch of other successful activity groups, we are now introducing a theatre group for carers. This is an opportunity to take some time out and meet with like-minded people. 6 times a year a trip to a local theatre will be organised. It is free to sign up for the events bulletin. Please visit our website.
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Kingsmeadow @ Made Forever, Fisher Road, BS15 4RQ
These concerts are organised by Liz Gray on behalf of Milestones Trust as part of The Music Train project which provides free live music in the afternoon for everyone in the community.
For more information email or call on 07800 884080 to Liz Gray, or visit their Facebook page.
Wellbeing
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Access Sport is a charity meeting the urgent need to improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing, working solely with young people in deprived communities and with a strong emphasis on young disabled people.
"We believe every child should have access to the developmental and health benefits of sport and every community should have a thriving, inclusive and sustainable sporting offer.
To achieve this: we develop community sports clubs; we build, equip and up-skill local sports clubs; and we train and support volunteer sports coaches and club leaders."
Tel: 0117 941 5829
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*Please note this club is currently suspended due to Covid19.
Almondsbury Tennis Club, Gloucester Road, Bristol BS32 4AA
Tuesdays 10.30-11.30 Cost £3.00 - All abilities welcome.
clubspark.lta.org.uk/almondsburytennisclub/Coaching/Disability
Contact: John Kimani: 07951 584669 or Lynda Riddle: 01454 616495
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Autistic Eye is a local not-for-profit Community Interest Company, which promotes, publishes and sells work by artists with Autism. We create supplementary income for published artists and meaningful occupation for some.
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Bristol Airport is delighted to announce that they have recently opened a multi-purpose Sensory Room in their departure lounge. This is only one of the few airports in the UK to have a purpose-built Sensory Room, the space is specifically designed for travellers with autism, dementia or cognitive impairment and provides a safe, private and interactive area for them to feel relaxed when in unfamiliar surroundings.
To find out more information and to book, click here.
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Our new Sensory Nook has arrived for our children's library at Central!
A Sensory Nook is a highly inclusive adaptable space and is particularly effective for neurodiversity including Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia. It provides a calming refuge for social and emotional challenges. It can be used as a calming time-out space, a space to stimulate, or a space just to enjoy!
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Carers' Centre BANES are excited to be expanding their neighbourhood carer cafes thanks to new funding. Their cafes are a key part of the wider efforts to reduce loneliness and isolation among family carers. Cafés are currently ongoing in Bath (Combe Down), Bishop Sutton and Keynsham. To find out more take a look at the article on the Carers' Centre website.
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Changes Bristol is a direct access charity based on 12 Steps which promote mental wellbeing. They have meetings throughout Bristol. All people who experience any sort of mental distress are welcome to access support at their groups.
Email: info@changesbristol.org.uk
Tel: 0117 941 1123
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Matthew Richards provides a Bristol-based therapeutic music service for people with additional needs called ‘Engage & Immerse’. Using a series of unique music interventions, positive change in cognition, motor skills, behaviour, communication, community engagement and creative expression is facilitated with demonstrable outcomes. Matthew works with groups and on a 1:1 basis, drawing upon his extensive experience to deliver a model of practice that is positive, person-centered and adaptable.
Things you can expect during a 1:1 or group session:
- Guitar, keyboard-orientated songs and sing-a-longs.
- Music technology - loopers, samplers, synths, iPads, piano mats etc.
- A broad range of drums and percussion instruments from around the world.
- Sensory, tactile instruments such as ocean drums, chimes, rain sticks etc.
To see some of the fantastic work over the years and to get in touch with Matthew - who has a full enhanced DBS check and public liability insurance - please see the following contact details.
Website - www.engageandimmerse.co.uk
Email - engageandimmerse@hotmail.com
Phone - 07920407490
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The Ignite Bristol newsletter will provide updates on all the latest disability inclusive sport/physical activity opportunities in the Bristol area. Subscribe to the Ignite Bristol newsletter here.
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Imperial Sports Ground’s Super Sense sensory room is one of the largest sensory rooms in the UK . It was specifically developed to provide a safe sanctuary for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND children).
We offer booked sessions of 60 minutes each for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, from new-born up to 18 years of age together with their families (siblings are always welcome). No form of diagnosis is required to attend our Super Sense sessions, and we work with various organisations that specialise in this field to ensure every SEND child in our community has the opportunity to benefit from the facility.
Click here to book a session.
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Autism friendly swim sessions will run on the first Saturday of the month. More information is available here, including a guide to what to expect on the day: activecentres.org/autism-friendly-sessions/
To book your place call 0300 333 0300.
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Knowle Tennis Club, 17 Beaconsfield Road, Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2QN
Inclusive beginners/improvers group sessions Thursday evening and Saturday morning - Cost £3.00
Contact: Matt Thompson matt-thompson1984@hotmail.co.uk
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Bike Minded is a Life Cycle project, based at The Create Centre in Bristol, helping people with mental health and emotional issues.
Our bike rides are open to anyone, supportive and friendly. We have bikes available to borrow or can help people to get low cost bikes. We now have a small fleet of electric bikes which will be available to borrow on our bike rides. If anyone is interested in trying them out, they can book a free 1:1 cycle lesson with a trained instructor. Just get in touch to find out more.
www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/wellbeing
Tel: 0117 353 4580
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One You South Gloucestershire is a healthy lifestyles and wellbeing service for adults to help make important, lasting improvements to their health.
The service is for all adults over the age of 18 who are a South Gloucestershire resident or registered with a GP practice in South Gloucestershire.
Website: oneyou.southglos.gov.uk/
Phone: 01454 865337
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Project Inc. is Bristol City Robins Foundation pan disability football programme which provides an opportunity for both young people and adults with disabilities the opportunity to make friends, get active and have fun, free of cost.
Sessions run throughout the week for all ages. To find out more click here, alternatively contact sam.smith@bcfc.co.uk or call 0789 9991 983.
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Event specifically for families with autistic children. Autistic adults welcome too.
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Somerset Cricket Board is delighted to run a number of disability cricket sessions across the county. We have weekly cricket sessions taking place in Bath, Bristol, Bridgwater, Street, Taunton, Weston Super Mare & Yeovil.
Super 1 sessions are weekly (term time only) aimed at young people aged 12-25 years of age with mild/moderate learning difficulties, or with a physical disability.
To find your nearest session and to book, check their website: somersetcricketfoundation.org/disability/super-1s/
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www.bathnes.gov.uk/wheelsforall
email: Chris.Revill@cycling.org.uk
Tel: 07530 263014
Cycling opportunities for disabled children and adults with differing needs.
Go and try their fantastic selection of bikes, trikes and hand cycles that can suit a wide range of needs.
Check on the website or contact details above for which days they are at each location:
- Outdoors at the Odd Down Circuit, Odd Down Playing Fields off Chelwood Drive, Bath BA2 2AX
- Indoors at The Sports Barn, Beechen Cliff School, Alexandra Park, Bath BA2 4RE