The Short Breaks Team: Nottingham City Council

18/12/2025

🎄 Christmas can feel magical—but also overwhelming for some children.
If your child is autistic, the bright lights, loud music, and changes in routine can make the festive season stressful instead of joyful.
Autistica has put together some brilliant advice to help families make Christmas calmer and more enjoyable for everyone. From simple tips to understanding what might trigger anxiety, it’s well worth a read.
👉 Check out their campaign here: https://campaignbrief.com/autistica-highlights-hidden-challenges-of-xmas-for-people-with-autism-in-new-work-via-dojo-uk/
Let’s make this season about comfort and joy for all our children. 💙

In the lead-up to Christmas, Campaign Brief is shining a spotlight on the season’s most anticipated campaigns from around the globe. As these campaigns roll out, we’ll be rounding up the highlights to keep you in the loop. London agency DOJO UK has partnered with Autistica, the UK’s leading au

11/12/2025

Sharing a Helpful Resource for the Festive Season 🎄
If you’re looking for ideas to make Christmas more sensory-friendly, check out this Christmas Sensory Survival Kit. It’s a digital download full of practical tips and activities to help create a calmer, more enjoyable holiday for children with sensory needs.
👉 Find it here: https://www.sensoryhelpnow.org/products/digital_downloads/christmas-sensory-survival-kit
I thought this might be useful for families and carers who want to make the festive season a little easier. 🌟

We've collated advice from professionals and people living with sensory processing differences to bring you advice on managing the sensory challenges of the festive season.

21/11/2025

📢 Have Your Say on Adult Social Care in Nottingham!

Nottingham City Council wants to hear from you about how adult social care services are delivered. This is your chance to shape the future of care in our city. Whether you’re a resident, service user, carer, advocate, or part of a voluntary organisation, your feedback is invaluable in helping us develop services that meet expectations and enhance quality of life.

✅ **Why take part?**
Your feedback will help improve services and make sure they meet the needs of our community.

🕒 **Deadline:** Check the consultation page for closing dates.
📍 **Take the survey here,

Nottingham City Council

17/10/2025

Free Half-Term Activities in Nottingham – Travel Well Programme! 🚌👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Looking for something free, fun and healthy to do with the kids this half term?
Nottingham City Council’s Travel Well programme is offering free walking and cycling activities across the city to help families get active and enjoy the outdoors together!
📍 Half-Term Highlights:

🛠️ Dr Bike & Info Stall – Monday 20th October, 11:30am–1:30pm at Robin Hood Chase, NG3 4EZ
🚶‍♀️ Led walks, bike repairs, cycle training and more available in areas like Bulwell, St Ann’s, Sneinton, Bilborough, Beechdale, Aspley, and Strelley

💬 Open to all – great for families, especially those looking for inclusive, accessible activities.
📅 Full calendar of events and booking links here: Travel Well – Transport Nottingham,

Details of upcoming FREE have a go at cycling events around the city.

25/09/2025

🌟 Help Us Choose a New Name! 🌟

From 1st October 2025, the Whole Life Disability Service will become part of Children’s Services. This means the people who support you now – like Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, and Key Workers, Short Breaks Workers and Personalisation Officers – will still be here to help, but they will be working more closely with other children’s services.

👉 Why is this happening?
It’s a positive change to make sure children and young people with disabilities get the best support possible. This move will help us to:
• Work more closely with schools and health teams 🏫 🏥
• Make it clearer how you can get support 🧭
• Give more help for families 🤝
• Support you in getting ready for adulthood 🌱

👉 We want to hear from you! Please fill in this short survey to share your views with us and help us choose a name for the service that reflects you and other children and young people we support.

15/09/2025

🎡 SEND Sessions at Goose Fair Are Back for 2025! 🌟

Following a hugely successful trial last year, we're delighted to share that SEND sessions will be returning to Goose Fair in 2025!

🗓 On Sundays
🕛 12pm – 1pm

These quieter sessions are designed especially for children and individuals with special educational needs and disabilities, offering a more relaxed fair experience — with reduced noise and lighting to make the fun more accessible to everyone. 💙

Info:

Nottingham’s world-famous Goose Fair will once again be held over ten days in 2025.