Tees Valley Buddies

01/10/2026

Turtle spotting ✅️ 🐢
Autumnal walk ✅️🍂
Snacks/Cuppa in the cafe ✅️☕️

Thursdays are always better in good company! Bonus points if you spot a squirrel or score the perfect conker.

21/09/2026

Turtle updates: They were still out sunning themselves on last week's Walk and Talk.

If youd like to join in random conversations and fact swaps about turtles and ducks or whether youre team rat and geese or the quite the opposite, we meet at 10.30 on the left hand side of the car park in stewarts park (by the animals)

Just give us a heads up to expect you (because tism and we like to make sure you're given the best welcome)

19/09/2026

Lets talk lived experience and neuro affirming practices. There's a lot of negativity in the media currently and after a wonderful morning I wanted to shout out another organisation in 'boro built on lived experience and the real valuing of neurodivergence.

The Glowsticks Project

As someone with a neurodivergent family, having a welcoming and safe space to take my tiny humans is hugely important..a lifeline.

We've tried many spaces that claim to be 'inclusive' and it hasnt hit the mark. Glowsticks is a space with a variety of groups for children, a sensory room and a cafe where neurodivergent children, families and adults are supported and welcomed with open arms. When i say they go above and beyond thag wouldnt be doing it justice.
To sit in a cafe with multiple echolalia across the room with no judgement is a wonderful feeling.

Its not often you come across somewhere like this so please go support them in growing this wonderful space, celebrate the incredible neurodivergent people that work there and if you havent popped into the bakery downstairs, go its delicious!

There's so much more i could say but for now celebrating neuro affirming spaces and organisations run on lived experience by neurodivergent people like us at Tees valley buddies is so important, not only for families like mine but the wider neurodivergent community as a whole.

Chelle x

19/09/2026

** New dates announcement **

Starting with NeuroGames on Monday (tomorrow) @12.30pm-2.30pm, our next set of alternating afternoon and evening games sessions are available to book.

You can book a single session or a book the whole block for a discounted cost.

If you havent booked yet and want to come along, please book using the link

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22/05/2026

Small Signs a Space Might Feel Safe for You

Sometimes it’s not big things… it’s the little signals, such as:

💜 You don’t feel pressured to talk
💚 Silence isn’t awkward
💜 People respect ‘no’ without pushing
💚 You can take a break without it being a big deal
💜 No one expects you to be ‘on’ all the time
💚 People listen without trying to fix everything
💜 You can show up as you are that day

Safety can feel different for everyone. What are small signs you notice that tell you a space feels safe?!?

⬇️ Share below if you’re comfortable

19/05/2026

What Helps You Decompress After Socialising?? 🕊️🕊️

Even when it’s a positive experience, socialising can still be a lot for neurodivergent people and it’s completely normal to need time to reset afterwards.

Some ways people decompress:

💜Quiet time or time alone
💚Music or a podcast
💜A nap or early night
💚A shower or bath to reset
💜Comfort TV or food
💚A short walk
💜Favourite hobby or special interest

If you’re comfortable sharing…
what helps you decompress after socialising??(You might help someone else feel a bit more prepared)
Let us know in the comments 👇👇

15/05/2026

What Is Social Prescribing??

Some of our members find us through social prescribing 💜💚
(It can also be called different things depending on your area)

It’s when a health or social care professional connects you with community support. Usually, you’ll speak to a link worker who helps find what suits you.

How to access it:
Ask your GP surgery, they usually have a social prescriber or link worker attached and can arrange an appointment. It’s free, and you don’t need to be in crisis.

Have you heard of it before or used it?

⬇️ Let us know or ask any questions

12/05/2026

After time away…

It’s very common for people to attend groups for a while and then take a break.

Sometimes returning after time away can feel harder than the first visit, even if the group was previously comfortable.

Different things can make returning easier, such as familiar faces, knowing the environment, or just being reassured that it’s okay to come back after a break.

If you have previously joined us and have had some time away, just know you will always be welcome, with no judgement and we won’t force you to tell us your reasons, we will simply be glad to see you again.

What helps you return to a group or activity after time away?

Drop your tips and thoughts below 👇👇

08/05/2026

Things That Are Allowed at Our Groups (That Might Surprise You) 🙈🙈

At TVB we work a little differently than most neurotypical groups, and below are some things that are not only allowed, but fully encouraged!!

💚Being quiet the whole time
You don’t have to talk. You can just sit, listen, and be around others.

💜Only staying for 10 minutes (or however long you fancy)
If that’s all you can manage, that’s more than enough. You can leave whenever you need to.

💚Changing your mind last minute
We get that some days are harder than others or unexpected things pop up.

💜Talking about random things
This one is almost a must!!
Chat about TV, games, your pet, anything.

💚Stimming
Fidgeting, rocking, tapping, using fidget toys, all of it is completely okay here.

💜Taking breaks during the session
Need some air or a few minutes to yourself? No problem at all.

💚Asking questions
No such thing as a stupid question here.
About the group, how things work, or what to expect, you’re always welcome to ask.

💜Bringing comfort items
Headphones, fidget toys, drinks, snacks, anything that helps you feel at ease.

💚Sitting quietly on your phone for a bit
Sometimes just being there is the first step.

If you’ve been thinking about coming along, and these things feel like they fit you, maybe this is your sign 💚💜

03/05/2026

We want to gently remind everyone that Tees Valley Buddies is a peer support community, not a crisis service.

Our groups are designed to offer connection, understanding, and low-pressure social spaces with people who get it. While we care deeply about our community, our volunteers are not trained to provide urgent or clinical support, and we are not able to respond to crisis situations.

If you need immediate help or are in crisis, please reach out to the appropriate services:

• NHS 111 (select the mental health option)
• Your GP
• Local crisis team
• Samaritans (116 123, free and available 24/7)
• If you are in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E

You deserve the right support at the right time. Reaching out to these services can feel hard, but they are there to help keep you safe.

We are here to walk alongside you in the in-between moments, not to replace the support you may need in a crisis 🤍🤍