Renfrewshire Council

There are a range of different activities for children and young people with additional support needs. You can explore and find what works best for your child.

Sessions for parents and carers

Marvellous Minds

For parents and carers of neurodivergent children aged 0 to 12 years. Diagnosis not necessary. Free to attend.

8 weeks of informative and engaging workshops in a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space, which aims to nurture neurodiversity through exploring:

• emotional regulation
• sensory processing
• self-care
• play the schema way
• social communication.

Tuesdays 9:30am to 11:30am.
29 April, 6, 13, 20, 27 May, and 3, 10 ,17 June.

Foxbar Community Centre, Amochrie Road, Paisley, PA2 0LB.

Contact Abi and Suzy by email marvellousminds@earlyyearscotland.org

Sports activities

Find out what disability sports sessions are available (OneRen website).

Contact Chris Cleary, Active Schools Community Club Development Officer, on 07985751815

Music activities

Bricklane Music Academy 7-9 Weir Street Paisley PA3 4DW.

Contact: email info@bricklanemusicacademy.co.uk or phone 0141 328 6983.

Term time music activities: 

• Saturday 10am to 11am, Musical Tots ASN, for 0 to 4 years old. 
• Saturday 2:30pm to 3pm, ASN music session, for 5 to 11 years old.
• Saturday 3.30 to 4pm, ASN music session, for 5 to 11 years old. 
• Saturday 3pm to 3:30pm, ASN music session, for11 to 17 years old..
• Wednesday 4pm to 5pm, ASN after school music, for all school ages. 

They provide: 

• out of school holiday respite for families in Renfrewshire with disabilities
• support for families 0-3
• 60% are neuro divergent children with ASN and ADHD.
• deliver a range of activities in Brick Lane and St Anthony's Johnstone
• ASN activities for children of primary age
• band workshop for young people between 11 to 17 years
• term time music activities.

In It Together YMCA Renfrew

Wednesdays 4pm to 6pm

Renfrew YMCA Building. YMCA Thrive Together 3 Canal Lane Renfrew PA4 8QS.

Contact Cairinne McDonald, email  cairinne@renfrewymca.com.

In It Together promotes the inclusion of children and young people with additional support needs into mainstream activities where a member of staff can work on a one to one basis with young people.

Focused support group for young people with additional support needs (ASN)  - before and after a diagnosis. Skills to support them with their social and emotional development.

A project designed specifically for young people with disabilities and complex needs to attend our multi sensory building.

We have eye gaze technology for assisted communication and taking part in activities, wheelchair users welcome, along with a variety of sensory toys as well as having an accessible and multi sensory centre.

This project will run once a week after school for 2 hours during term time and will run through the day with extended sessions during the school holidays.

Arts activities

Impact Arts (Projects) Limited, Art Wise Renfrewshire Parenting Through Creative Connections, The Boardwalk, 105 Brunswick Street Glasgow G1 1TF.

Contact Fiona Clark development@impactarts.co.uk or phone 0141 575 3001 or 07425642715.

We will run two 6-month programmes working with ten to twelve parents or kinship carers in each programme, to support them to:

• better understand their child's behaviour
• develop tools to connect
• communicate and support their child including approach (e.g. activities being led by the child; being curious), language and play activities
• identify their own needs and develop coping strategies for themselves
• connect with other parents, access peer support, and develop their local support networks by linking in with other local organisations which can support other aspects of family life such as benefits, welfare, food security, relationship support, nutrition etc.

Ten weekly 2.5 hour sessions for groups of parents/carers in a community setting, supported by an Art Therapist and a Wellbeing Worker.

These groups will include individual as well as group peer-support. Sessions will be sociable and relaxed and will tackle a range of familiar challenges as well as providing opportunities for parents and carers to talk about their specific needs. 

Monthly drop-in sessions for parents and carers so they can continue and maintain their connections and support. 

Monthly supported play-based sessions for parents/carers and children.

These 2 monthly groups, offer ongoing fortnightly support for a further 16 weeks.

Other activities

Johnstone Teeny tots, Thorn Athletic Football Club, Greenend Ave, Johnstone, PA5 8PQ

Contact: email kirstytoogood@outlook.com or phone 07507529313, or Amy Sunderland, phone 07855614608.

• support neurodivergent children
• families' with children children 0 to 8 years old, requiring parenting support
• capacity seventeen families
• free activities and a safe place to come along and have a cuppa.

Early Years Scotland Tannahill Centre, 76 Blackstone Road, Paisley PA3 1NT

Contact: Gary Lindsay, gary.lindsay@earlyyearsscotland.org call Nicola Flinn for info on all programmes on 07538582139.

• free access for parent/children 0 to 5 years old in Ferguslie, Foxbar, Gallowhill and surrounding areas, within local community centres
• capacity 12 to 15 families for a range of activities
• 24 programmes.

Johnstone Castle Learning Centre Holiday Fun Club, Pine Crescent, Johnstone, PA5 0BX

Contact Jean Gallagher director.jclc@gmail.com

• families of children who are neurodivergent who require support either pre or post diagnosis
• families of children 11 to 16 years old, displaying distressed or risk-taking behaviour
• families of children with disabilities who require support either pre or post diagnosis

Program Name: SwimAndGlow Community Program.

Participants: Neurodivergent children and their families, including those with autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences. Also, families of children with disabilities and those requiring parenting support or coping with distressed behaviours.

Duration: 5 blocks of 6 weeks, 8 participants per block, Sessions are 2 hours per week.

Pachedu and School of African Cultures Nkwado Support, 76 Blackstone Street, Paisley, PA3 1NT.

Contact Chinedu Achunine chinedu.achunine@pachedu.org or Anita Nalumansi anita.nalumansi@pachedu.org

Support for families in diverse ethnic communities with with neurodiversity needs, offering:

• family support workshops and volunteer training
• one on one counselling
• peer support groups
• cultural awareness events
• resource development
• social and recreative activities.

Renfrewshire Out of School Care Network (ROSCN)

Flexi-care Studio, 3006 Mile End Mill, Abbeymill Business Centre, 12 Seedhill Road, Paisley, PA1 1JS.

Contact: Lesley Compston, lesleycompston@klascare.com

For families of:

• children who are neurodivergent who require support either pre or post diagnosis
• children 0 to 8 years old requiring parenting support and or support for distressed behaviours
• children with disabilities who require support either pre or post diagnosis.

Saturday club - 48 children per day, in 3 sessions of 16 children per 2-hour session. OOSC 16 children per day x 5 days = 80 per week.

Spring and summer play scheme at Mary Russell School, Paisley for children and young people who have ASN, who have fewer complex needs.

Holiday clubs and after school clubs.

Stronger Communities Glenburn Holiday Fun Club

Stronger Communities Glenburn, Glenburn, PA3 8EA.

Contact: Kellie Brown, Scglenburn@outlook.com

Location; Gleniffer

By offering cooking classes, we not only teach valuable skills but also promote healthy eating habits and teamwork.

For families of children:

• who are neurodivergent who require support either pre or post diagnosis.
• 11 to 16 years old displaying distressed and risk-taking behaviour
• 0 to 8 years old requiring parenting support and or support for distressed behaviours
• with disabilities who require support either pre or post diagnosis.

Youth Interventions

The YI Children YP and Family Wellbeing Centre Mossedge Village, 145 Brediland Road, Linwood, PA3 3RX.

Contact Louise Dempsey, louise@youthinterventions.org.uk

Operating on a Tuesday and Thursday YI will provide a Family Wellbeing Project working collaboratively with RCSP, Renfrewshire Autism Services and partners bringing additionality to existing services for:

• families of and children and young people 9 years old and over, with a neurodevelopmental disorder such as, ASD, ADHD, ODD both pre or post diagnosis
• families of and children 11 to 16 years old displaying distressed or risk-taking behaviour
• respite: children and youth activity groups after school, and Saturday group with youth workers to engage in activities such as art, craft, dance, music
• family support group: weekly group where families and carers of can get together, share their experiences, and enjoy various activities, experience positive parenting behavioural change techniques
• specialist and practical supportive one to one support for children, young people and families with practitioners who have a robust understanding of context, age, and stage, Neurodivergence (our Lead is neurodivergent as well as professionally trained) and the impact this can have on lives as well as the complex social.

Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

St James House, 25 St James Street, Paisley, PA3 2HQ.

Contact Lisa Carberry-Director lisa@hsri.org.uk and Ashley Greenwood- Lead Coordinator, call 0141 889 5272 or 07921 679506.

• befriending support
• neurodivergent Family Group -Details from Ashley Greenwood
• Skills for Life Development Courses- childcare included by trained childcare professionals from KLAS Care
• Mellow Bumps-8week, antenatal programme supporting parents-to-be,  decreases stress of expectant parents, helping them to build a relationship with their baby pre-birth
• Blank Canvas-for women with mild-to-moderate perinatal-mental ill health-8 week-course to encourage reflection and mindfulness, reducing anxiety and low mood
• Being a Parent to Autistic Children-in partnership with KLAS Care. 10-week group supporting parenting, family resilience and coping.
• Baby and Child First Aid, 3hour-session. Delivered in a relaxed style, giving parents confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC)

This parenting group is like no other available, we have dedicated course for Autism which runs for 10 weeks, the mainstream course runs for 8 weeks, this course is delivered in your community and is supported by community members that have completed the courses and the training to provide an excellent experience that will impact both your and your families life.

The course is for 2 hours a week for about 8 to 10 weeks, we recommend you attend 80% to get the full benefits from the groups.

In connection with ASN Respite support and KLAS Care's nurture programme you may be entitled to free access to other services delivered by KLAS Care including Respite support while attending this course. You will be given more information on this during the course or you can call Lesley on 01505331931 or 07584061742.

All EPEC courses are free to attend and have a free creche if you need it for the wee ones that are not attending school yet.

The course is aimed at children aged 3 and over.

KLAS Care nurture programme

A 10 week support programme that is delivered in or out of school time.

This programme is designed to connect with child age 5+ that are in need help to self regulate and have 1to 1 time with a nurture practitioner that can teach coping strategies that will help the child find who they are, and how they can make positive choices in their lives that will enhance their mental and social health and wellbeing.

This programme is designed to run alongside EPEC and the parents are strongly advised to sign up for an EPEC course (this may not be at the same time) to help find a common goal and a shared vision with the whole family's wellbeing.  All schools within Renfrewshire will be considered but the school, parents and child must agree to this programme.

Phone Lesley on 01505331931 or 07584061742.

Or make a request to the Family wellbeing service.

KLAS Care All Inclusive Family Play and Learning

East Fulton Primary School, KLAS Care C.I.C, The Old Janitors Cottage, Gilmartin Road, Linwood, PA3 3SG.

Contact Lesley Compton lesleycompston@klascare.com or phone 01505 331931 or  07584061742.

• Whole family support programme
• Trained childcare practitioners and support to children and families with Neurodivergent young people and crisis intervention.
• Before school and after school care in various venues within Renfrewshire
• Holiday respite for Neurodivergent and ASN young people
• Saturday club pending - for ASN and Neurodivergent young people.
• Support for parents/carers in EPEC.

ASN Respite support every Saturday

Based in Mary Russell School, open to all children of ages 5+ with or without a diagnosis.

Please contact Lesley directly on 01505331831/07584061742 if your child is 4 years old).

Book online at Mary Russell ASN Saturdays (ROSCN Playtime) - Booking by Bookwhen there are many options for you to book, all sessions can be booked back to back or you can stick to the allocated slot.

If you live in Renfrewshire you may be entitled to free spaces, terms and conditions apply.

The Saturday timeslots are:

• 9am to11am
• 11am to 1pm
• 1pm to 3pm
• 9am to 12pm
• 12pm to 3pm.