This page lists a range of local activities for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and their families.
Please check on the providers' websites before attending any session to make sure the activity is still running. We aim to update this page termly in conjunction with the Children Centres timetable. All the information is taken from the individual providers' websites.
You can also read this information using the pdf below.
Address: Cemetery Lane, Charlton Park, SE7 8UB
Contact Name: Lydia Lings – Play Plus Lead
Phone number: 020 8854 8054
Website: The Big Red Bus Club
Play Plus
Tuesdays, 10:00am–11:30am (Term time)
Sessions are free
Play Plus is a wonderful session for children who struggle with communication or have any additional needs. They have experienced staff, who can help with signposting to the different services, as well as staff who are qualified in Makaton Signing. Each session is based on a popular children’s book with fun activities that support speech and communication.
Address: Langhorne House, 9 Springfield Grove, Charlton, SE7 7TJ
Contact Name: Vicky Thomas – Coordinator
Website: Charlton Toy Library
Sensory session
Thursday 10.30am–11.00am (term time)
This is free for members or £2 per child per session for non-members. For that price members can access Stay and Play 9:30am–12:30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays with one Saturday session a month.
Membership Toy Service
If you are a member, you can borrow toys mainly for age ranges 0–5. There are a wide range of story-sacks, special needs toys, baby toys, games and puzzles, dressing up, and many more. There is a small additional fee for borrowing toys, ranging from 50p to £1 for two weeks per toy.
Membership Book Service
Members can borrow a wide range of children books, as well as books for parents and carers covering all aspects of childcare, health, meal planning, disabilities, and many more topics. All books are free to borrow.
Contact Name: Sharon Jay – Outreach Worker
Email: outreach@charltontoylibrary.org.uk
Charlton Toy Library run an outreach programme to support families that are on low income or are unable to claim benefits due to immigration status.
They can provide a wide range of toys, books, games and puzzles.
They can also help with a range of safety equipment, highchairs, safety gates, baby bouncers, sterilisers, bottle warmers, baby carriers, and anything needed for newborn, including clothes. Outreach families get this service for free.
If you, or a family you know, would benefit from this service, you can get in touch with Charlton Toy Library at the email above.
Address: The Bridge, East Greenwich Pleasaunce, Chevening Road, SE10 0LB
Website: SEND – The Bridge SE10
Email: bridgesendplay@gmail.com
Active play
Saturday, 2:30pm–4:30pm (Term time only)
0–10 years
£5 per family contribution for a session.
Use of a safe and accessible indoor and outdoor play area. All disabilities/abilities welcome, and siblings, friends, parents and carers are invited to join in.
Address: 184–186 Westcombe Hill, Blackheath, SE3 7DH
Phone number: 077 5876 3908
Email: info@mumsaid.org
Website: Babies with SEND or medically complex needs – MumsAid
Referral: Referral can be made by a professional, but you can also self-refer by email or through the online form.
General Referral Form – MumsAid.
MightyAcornsPlus
Monday at The Bridge, East Greenwich Pleasaunce, Chevening Road, SE10 0LB
MumsAid have developed a unique specialist support service for mums of babies who have already been diagnosed with, or are at risk of developing, physical, sensory, and/or learning disabilities.
The Mighty Acorns group will provide adaptive support as mums adjust to receiving new diagnoses and the impact of caring for their disabled child on family life. Ongoing support will be provided through weekly support groups from referral until their child’s second birthday. These will be co-facilitated by MumsAid counsellors and experienced parent volunteers.
The MumsAid Mighty Acorns Group will provide advice, support and guidance with navigating benefits such as the Disabled Living Allowance, council housing, health and social care assessments (including Carers Assessments), and appropriate education (in partnership with the SEND Early Years 0–3 Keyworker).
Address: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF
Website: SENsory Sailors – Royal Museums Greenwich
Email: families@rmg.co.ukfamilies@rmg.co.uk.or
Saturdays, once a month 11:00am–12:30pm
Free, with pre-booking required.
Disabled children, children with additional needs, and their families are invited to a monthly session at the National Maritime Museum led by disabled creatives. They will respond to the needs of the families participating, with a flexible approach and a team to support your family.
These sessions are designed for the whole family to attend. They welcome siblings under 13 years old without SEND, and the sessions will ensure everyone can participate through activities that allow families to work together to get creative, explore the Museum's collections, and meet other local families.
Address: 42, Brumwell Avenue, Woolwich, SE18 6BD
Phone number: 020 8319 5320
Website: Brookhill Children’s Centre – Home-Start Greenwich
SENDsory Group
Thursday, 10:00am–11:30am (drop-in)
£1.00 donation per family
Suitable for babies and children with abilities and disabilities.
Siblings are welcome.
Music Therapy
Phone number to book: 020 8319 5320
Friday (term time Only)
First session: 9:30am (Birth to 1 year)
Second session: 10:15am (1 to 3 years)
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities.
Delivered by Oxleas NHS Music Therapist.
Baby Massage (pre-crawling)
Phone number to book: 020 8854 7900, and select option 2
Monday 1:45pm–2:30pm
5 week course
£1.50 per family, per session
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities
Address: Erindale, Plumstead, SE18 2QQ
Phone number: 020 8854 7900, and select option 2
Website: Slade Children’s Centre – Home-Start Greenwich
Bouncing babies (Pre-crawling)
Phone number to book: 020 8854 7900 and select option 2
Tuesday, 1:45pm–2:30pm
5-week course.
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities.
Baby massage (Pre-crawling)
Phone number to book: 020 8854 7900, and select option 2
Tuesday, 1:45–2:30pm
5 week course
£1.50 per family, per session
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities
Baby Steps soft play (Birth – 18 months)
Wednesday, 1:30pm–2:45pm (drop-in)
£1.50 per family, per session
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities
Music Therapy
Phone number to book: 020 8854 7900, and select option 2
Thursday (term time only)
First session: 9:30am (Birth to 1 year)
Second session: 10:15am (1 year to 3 years)
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities.
Delivered by Oxleas NHS Music Therapist.
Tiny Steps Soft Play (Birth – 3 years)
Friday, 1:30pm–2:45pm (drop-in)
£1.50 per family, per session
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities (tube feeding-friendly)
Address: Paget Rise, Woolwich. SE18 3PY
Phone number: 020 8331 0374
Website: Eglinton Children’s Centre – Home-Start Greenwich
Bouncing babies (Pre-crawling)
Phone number to book: 020 8331 0374
Thursday, 1:45pm–2:30pm
5-week course
Sessions suitable for all abilities and disabilities
Address: 232 Plumstead High Street, Plumstead, SE18 1JL
Phone number: 020 8854 1728
Website: Events and Activities at Plumstead Library – Better
Baby Sensory
Friday, 10:00am–10:30am (booking essential)
Sensory session for babies with various stimuli for development and exploration.
SMILES
Saturday, 10:30am–11:30am
Sensory play, singing, and story session with bubbles, twirlers and more to learn to express emotions in a creative way. Join in with action rhymes, stories, and using breathing techniques (for parents too).
Neurodiversity-friendly
Website: Home – Autistic Inclusive Meets UK (to see sessions for older children and adults, please visit the website)
Autistic Inclusive Meets UK (AIM) offer a supportive and inclusive environment for autistic individuals and their families.
They provide a range of services and support, including information, advice, and practical assistance to help autistic people navigate the challenges of everyday life.
Play & Social Groups
Monday Playgroup
Monday, 4:00pm–5:30pm (excluding bank holidays)
£2.00 per family
No diagnosis necessary, siblings welcome
Brookhill Children's Centre, Brumwell Avenue, SE18 6UZ
Thursday Social Group
Thursday, 12:00pm–2:30pm
£2.50 per family
All ages welcome
Woolwich Common Youth Club, Nightingale Place, SE18 4HG
Football
Saturday, 11:30am–12:30pm (only during term time)
£5.00 Per attendee
Ages 5–17yrs
Foots Cray Rugby Sports and Athletic Club, Footscray Road, SE9 2EL
Address: Ridgebrook Road, Kidbrooke, SE3 9QX
Phone number: 020 8331 1970
Website: Storkway Children’s Centre – Better
SEND Stay & Play
Wednesday, 1:15pm–2:45pm
£1.00 contribution per family
Fun for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Come and meet other families of SEND children. This session includes activities to support your child's development.
Storkway Sensory Room
Phone number to book: 020 8331 1970
Monday–Friday 9:00am–5:00pm (all year round)
Sessions are free
Address: Eltham Road, Corner of Kidbrooke Park Road, SE9 5LW
Phone number: 020 8294 0701
Organised by Vista Field Children's Centre
Phone Number: 020 88591110
Website: Timetable at Vista Field Children's Centre – Better
SEND Soft Play
Thursday, 1:00pm–2:00pm (term time only)
£3.00 per child (reduced price); pay at reception on the day or book online
Address: The Eltham Centre, 2 Archery Road, SE9 1HA
Website: Eltham Centre – Better
Disability Swimming (Eltham Para Swimming)
Telephone number: 020 8317 5000 / 020 8921 4344
Website: Eltham Centre Inclusive Activities – Better
Friday, 6:30pm–7:30pm (contact the centre for more information)
The Eltham Centre are providing swimming lessons to swimmers of all ages and abilities. Their friendly, experienced and qualified teachers follow the Amateur Swimming Association's National Learn to Swim Teaching Plan to help you learn to swim, improve your stroke, or try something new through their aquatic skill programmes. They support all swimmers to progress and take the plunge, whatever their age or ability with a fully inclusive programme suitable for all age groups.
All sessions are subject to availability and your child will need to be assessed prior to the lesson. In some circumstances, parents will be allowed into the water under the guidance of the swimming teacher.
The Lion Swimming Club
Telephone number: 020 8855 4277 (David) or 077 9328 2088 (Liz)
Email: lionswimmingclub@googlemail.com
Website: Home – Lions Swimming Club
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Sunday, 10:00am–12:00pm (Spa Pool)
Sunday, 10:00am–11:30am (Main Pool)
The Lion Swimming Club is open to any person of any age with a permanent physical, learning, mental or sensory disability.
They have regular sessions in the Spa pool, Main pool and Family pool at The Eltham Centre.
Address: 47 Abbey Grove, London, SE2 9EU (parking on surrounding streets)
Email: s3ndsupp0rt@gmail.com
Website: www.sendsupport.uk/sss (please check website for all activities offered)
Sing, Sign and Stories
Fridays 1:00pm–3:00pm (term time)
Sessions are free
For children 0–5yrs
Diagnosis not needed
Sing, Sign and Stories is an amazing session for all children needing support with their development, especially those who struggle to communicate. The team members are there to provide advice, offer help, and guide you to other sources of support.
What happens at Sing, Sign and Stories?
Free flow activities: based on a different book each week or a topic that is catching the children’s interest.
Story time: Each week there will be a different book for a fun and interactive story time with signing.
Song time: Lots of singing songs and developing speech by signing.
Signing café: Free refreshments where you sign for your biscuit, tea or coffee. Supporting life skills and communication.
Home Time: At the end of the session, staff will help everyone transition from having fun to going home.
Address: Southwood Road, Thamesmead, London, SE28 8EZ
Phone number: 020 8311 5491, and select option 1
Website: Timetable at Waterways Children's Centre – Better
SEND Stay and Play Group
Thursday, 1:00pm–3:00pm (invitation only)
Stay and Play group for children with Additional Needs
Address: Marlborough Park Avenue, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9DP
Phone number: 020 8191 0554
Email address: info@zambezisportsschool.co.uk
Website: www.zambezisportsschool.co.uk
SEND Inclusive Swimming Lessons
Wednesday, 4:30pm–6:30pm
Saturday, 9:30am–12:00pm
Zambezi believe that swimming should be accessible for all who wish to learn and enjoy the water.
They have a relationship with Marlborough SEND school in Sidcup. They use their swimming pool as a base where their SEND sessions run. These include private tuition, group classes, and the opportunity to participate in hydrotherapy programmes. The pool is a warm hydrotherapy pool with hoists and assisted chair entry with disabled parking on-site. Sensory lights and music also provide a calming environment.
Address: Normandy SEND Hub, Fairford Avenue, Barnehurst, DA7 6QP
Phone number: 013 2234 4192
Email address: admin@bexleysnap.org.uk
Website: Home – Bexley Snap
Baby Ballet Shine
Wednesday, 9:45am
Call or email to pre-book your place
£2.00 parent contribution per session, payable upon booking