There are a number of venues and places to visit that may be beneficial for autistic people – discover more details by clicking on the boxes below
Some are specifically for autistic people and others are not – but might still be suitable
Remember that each autistic person has unique needs and preferences, so it’s best to check suitability with each organisation
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The listed services and links to websites maintained by other organisations are included on here to assist you and are provided in good faith. Some may incur costs. Their inclusion does not imply that the Leicestershire Partnership Trust endorses or supports them, nor does the absence of a service imply that we do not support them
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Accessibility schemes
CEA Cinema Card – helping disabled people to access cinemas
The CEA Card is a national card scheme for UK cinemas.
When cardholders buy a full-price cinema ticket, they can get a free ticket for someone to go with them – when they watch a film at a participating cinema.
Eligibility: To apply, the person requiring assistance must be 5 years of age or older and be in receipt of one of the following:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Adult / Child Disability Payment (ADP / CDP in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Or hold the following cards:
- Severely Sight Impaired Registrations (formerly Registered Blind)
- Sight impaired Registration (formerly Partially Sighted)
Click here to visit the CEA Card website for more information.
Local participating cinemas:
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Venues and places to visit
Tree Top Adventure Golf
Quiet Time in the Jungle takes place every second Sunday of the month (9am – 10am)
There is turning off music in the lobby area, toilets, and ‘The Market’. Reduction of the background noise and interactive holes, with all strobe lighting turned off, for a calmer journey through the jungle.
infoleicester@adventuregolf.com
Shires Lane
0116 402 8333
360 Play
Evening session is exclusive and runs every first Friday of the month from 6.30 to 8.30pm
Sessions run from 3.30 to 5.30pm (this session is not exclusive but SEND children are welcome to come early and stay for the evening session for the same price).
360 Play Leicester, Meridian Leisure Park, Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester,
LE19 1JZ
Tel: 01162 894731
Email: leicester@360play.co.uk
Rebound Ashby - Trampoline Park
Autism Friendly Sessions at Rebound Trampoline Park Ashby
Every Sunday at 10 am
The relaxed sessions are aimed at children and teenagers with special needs, in particular autistic spectrum disorders, adhd, sensory issues and other learning difficulties or vulnerabilities. Siblings are also welcome to book onto the session.
The sessions run at 50% capacity to reduce the volume of noise and queues for equipment.
The lights are turned down low and the music is off for the duration of the session. The sessions during quiet times to reduce time spent waiting around at check-in.
Free water and squash that can be consumed in one of the glass fronted party rooms.
The court monitors have been carefully selected based on their ability to stay calm under pressure and for their patience, understanding and maturity. The founder of the sessions and the senior leader both have children with asd themselves and fully appreciate what these sessions mean to parents.
Jump Giants Trampoline Parks
Jump Giants Trampoline Parks | Sessions for Support & Little Ones
Support Sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12.00 – 13:00 term time, and 10:00 – 11:00 on Saturdays only during school holidays.
The price of the session at Loughborough includes admission for one jumper and one carer.
Unit 1 Wymeswold Industrial Park
Burton On The Wolds
LE12 5TR
De Montfort Hall
Click here to access the De Montfort Hall website.
Essential companion scheme is available for customers who require assistance to attend performances, they can apply to receive a free companion ticket. De Montfort Hall essential companion scheme. Click here for the applicants details available at Section 1 – Self.
In addition, they offer relaxed performances for week-long shows and family pantomime, they will be identified on the individual show page.
If required you can arrange to visit the hall in advance of booking or attending a performance, they are happy to accommodate. You would need to book your visit in advance with box office.
De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU
Box office open 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, Saturday 10am to 2pm (6pm on performance days) 0116 233 3111
The Curve Theatre - Leicester
Home – Curve Theatre, Leicester
The Curve offers relaxed performances to anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment. This may include children, young people and adults with neurodivergence such as autism, learning disabilities and other sensory or communication needs.
Several adaptations will be made to shows to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable environment for everyone, including:
• Changes to the show’s lighting and sound.
• Elements of surprise reduced to a minimum.
• A relaxed attitude to movement and audience responses during the performance.
• A quiet space available before, during and after the show.
• Extra staff on hand to support audiences during their time with us.
A pre-show information pack will be made available to audiences before their visit, including a visual story for our theatre, details about the performance and other ‘good-to-know’ information.
Familiarisation visits are also available by request. Walk through photographs are available on the website.
Essential companion scheme is available for customers who require assistance to attend performances, they can apply to receive a free companion ticket, if have evidence to support request.
0116 242 3595
Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB
MMC Venue - contemporary community and arts centre.
Offers the Essential Companion Scheme to disabled customers or those who need somebody to assist them to access the theatre and facilities we offer. The Scheme offers members the opportunity to obtain one ticket, free of charge, for their Essential Companion To join the Essential Companion Scheme fill in an application form on the website and provide your proof of eligibility.
105 Leicester Road
Mountsorrel
Leicestershire
LE12 7DB
MMC Venue | Community, Theatre & Live Music | Mountsorrel, Leicestershire
The National Space Centre: Exploring Space
The National Space Centre: Exploring Space
You can borrow a multi-sensory backpack, which include ear defenders and lots of educational, tactile sensory items to help during your visit.
During busy periods, fast-track entry is available for visitors with an autism spectrum condition.
Quiet Space available for visitors who may experience sensory disturbance.
Concessionary tickets are available to visitors with a disability; this includes a free annual pass when paying the full concessionary price. Essential carers and personal assistants receive free entry. Proof of entitlement for a free carer ticket are required when collecting tickets (PIP, DLA, Carers Allowance, Blue Badge or similar are valid proof of entitlement).
Certain exhibits portraying rocket launches and cosmic explosions are accompanied by loud noises that people who experience sensory disturbances may wish to avoid during their visit.
In addition, there is accessible afternoons to support children, young adults and families who would benefit from a quieter experience. See website for dates.
The National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NS
Tel: 0116 261 0261
Inclusive Youth Arts Programme
Young People – Attenborough Arts
The Inclusive Youth Arts Programme provides opportunities for children and young people with complex needs and disabilities to be creative outside of school, promoting their wellbeing and enjoyment of being with others. participants have a range of disabilities which without additional support, make it difficult for them to participate in culture and creativity, including but not limited to PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties), Autism, ADHD (Attention Deficiency Hyperactive Disorder), Auditory, speech and visual impairments, Down’s Syndrome and Global Developmental Delay.
All of the workshops and performances are free to children and young people aged 0 – 18 years old with complex disabilities and needs (escorted by an adult parent or carer). Sessions take place at weekends and during school holidays. Tailored to the individual needs of the participants, the workshops are limited to small groups and are run by skilled professional artists experienced working with disabled children and young people.
In addition, there is performances held designed for SEND children and young people.
The building is designed to be welcoming and accessible for a range of needs, and staff are trained to be understanding and supportive.
To register on the programme and gain access to our events, please contact:
Attenborough Arts Centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA
Phoenix Cinema: Access Cinema Programme
The Phoenix Cinema in Leicester offers an Access Cinema programme.
This includes relaxed screenings where films are shown with reduced sound levels, partially raised lighting, the freedom to move around and use sensory aids – plus a quiet space to take a break from the film. These screenings are for everyone though are described as being particularly suited for autistic people, those with ADHD or any other sensory processing differences.
They also have audio described screenings, helpful for people who are blind or who have sight loss and screening with descriptive subtitles for people who are deaf or who have hearing loss.
Click here to find out more about the ‘Access Cinema Programme’ on their website.
The Thomas Centre – holiday park with facilities and environment suitable for the needs of many autistic people
The Thomas Centre is a holiday park especially for families of autistic people and those who have epilepsy and/or any other special needs, including neurodivergent conditions
A range of accommodation options on a dedicated 25 acre site in a safe & non-judgemental environment
Click here to visit The Thomas Centre website
Click here to see more about how they cater to meet the needs of autistic people