Weekly News - 17th November 2025

Royal Armouries Disability Consultation Event

Do you want to help shape the way a national museum shares the histories of disabled people in their displays?

Call for Participants in Bilingual Research Study

King’s College London are asking for participants for a research study to understand how children and adolescents who have Down Syndrome develop two or more languages.

Ultimate Thunder!

Help support a groundbreaking documentary about punk-rock band Ultimate Thunder, which has six members, five with learning disabilities, Down Syndrome or autism.

Sibling Experience Study

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is recruiting for a new study and would love to hear from anyone aged 11-15 who has a sibling with a learning disability.

Relaxed performances - Sleeping Beauty

Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds have some Relaxed performances of this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.

Notice of 2025 AGM

Our Annual General Meeting will be held at 21 Co. in Headingley and online on Monday 24th November, at 8pm.

Register your interest for Endure 24

We’re very excited to announce that Sunshine & Smiles are once again the Local Charity Partner for the Leeds Endure24 (the North’s biggest 24-hour trail race) taking place 3rd-5th July 2026!

Down Syndrome Act Consultation

On 5th November, the Government published the Draft Statutory Guidance for the Down Syndrome Act for public consultation

BBC features Ailith & Thalia on school transport issue

Ailith and daughter Thalia featured in a BBC article on the issue of council-funded school transport for children and young people with SEND

Yoga for Sunflowers (Ages 2-8)

Next date: Sat, 22nd Nov 2025, 10:30-11:30

Sunflowers for ages 2-8 on a Saturday morning, every 2 weeks

Family swim at Bramley Baths

Every other Saturday, 15:15-17:15
Next date: Sat, 22nd Nov 2025

Our next family swim session

Football for ages 4-16

Next date: Sun, 23rd Nov 2025, 10:00-11:00

Join us for some football fun!

Individual Support Sessions

Every Monday
Next date: Mon, 24th Nov 2025 - Fri, 28th Nov 2025

9:30am-2:30pm: Face to face, phone or video support available

Sunbeams (Ages 0-4)

Every Monday, 10:30-12:00
Next date: Mon, 24th Nov 2025

Join us with your little one for play and a cuppa, with some singing and signing too

Early Development Group - Ducklings

Next date: Tue, 25th Nov 2025, 10:00-11:30

Using tools & resources to encourage development

Made with Music for Smilers and Youth (ages 8-18)

Next date: Sat, 29th Nov 2025, 10:30-11:30

Join us for musical fun with Made with Music

Annual Party!

Sun, 30th Nov 2025, 11:00-13:30

The format will be the same as in previous years, with face painting and glitter tattoos, crafts and sensory play, a raffle, teddy tombola, book giveaway, food and drink and, of course, lots of dancing! 

Individual Support Sessions

Every Monday
Next date: Mon, 1st Dec 2025 - Fri, 5th Dec 2025

9:30am-2:30pm: Face to face, phone or video support available

Caitlin's Green Speech and Language Groups

Next date: Tue, 2nd Dec 2025, 15:30-17:30

Caitlin's Speech & Language Groups

Caitlin's Yellow Speech and Language Groups

Next date: Sat, 6th Dec 2025, 10:00-14:30

Caitlin's Speech & Language Groups

Made with Music for Sunflowers (Ages 2-8)

Next date: Sat, 6th Dec 2025, 10:30-11:30

A fantastic and fun music session for ages 2-8

Family swim at Bramley Baths

Every other Saturday, 15:15-17:15
Next date: Sat, 6th Dec 2025

Our next family swim session

Caitlin's Yellow Speech and Language Groups

Next date: Sun, 7th Dec 2025, 10:00-14:30

Caitlin's Speech & Language Groups