Swinton Lock Activity Centre

02/06/2026

We want to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mackenzie, who tragically lost his life this week. Our thoughts are also with the wider community too, as we realise this has devastated many.

01/06/2026

TONIGHT!! Men’s talking support group.
7-9pm. No booking required, turn up and have a brew with this fab peer support group.

fans Mental Health Group

📢 Reminder 📢 MMHG are at the Lock tonight for their Men’s mental health group.

This group keeps the focus on talking, with peer support at the heart of every session. If you want more information please comment below.

The session starts at 7pm, running every Monday, with no booking necessary- just turn up and take the first step towards improving your mental health.

fans

31/05/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98r2grn2nmo

The Canal & River Trust is looking to recruit volunteers to work the locks on some Yorkshire canals.

30/05/2026

🌟 Access NHS Right to Choose Autism & ADHD Assessments with the National Autism Assessment Centre 🌟

Are you or your child waiting months or even years for an autism or ADHD assessment?

The National Autism Assessment Centre (NAAC) is now accepting referrals for NHS Right to Choose Autism and ADHD assessments across:

📍 Derbyshire
📍 Nottinghamshire
📍 South Yorkshire

As a CQC-registered provider, we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred neurodevelopmental assessments with a strong focus on understanding strengths, needs, and practical support.

What makes us different?

✅ Comprehensive Autism Assessments
✅ Comprehensive ADHD Assessments
✅ Combined Autism & ADHD Assessments Available
✅ Face-to-Face Assessments
✅ Detailed Diagnostic Reports
✅ Post-Diagnostic Support Planning
✅ Meetings with Parents and School SENCOs (where appropriate)
✅ Three-Month Reviews During the First Year
✅ Neurodiversity Insight Screening Available Whilst Waiting
✅ Experienced Multi-Disciplinary Team

Too many children, young people and adults are spending critical years on waiting lists without answers, support, or reasonable adjustments. Early identification can help improve educational outcomes, emotional wellbeing, family relationships, employment opportunities, and access to the right support.

If you are registered with a GP in England, you may have the legal right to choose your assessment provider through the NHS Right to Choose pathway.

📞 0203 518 4436
📧 [email protected]

📘 Follow our page for updates, resources, and Right to Choose information:

National Autism Assessment Centre page

Swinton Lock Activity Centre

27/05/2026

fans

Refused Right to Choose for Autism / ADHD?
Try These 6 Steps

Across some parts of England, parents are being told they cannot access NHS Right to Choose autism or ADHD assessments unless they first go through local CAMHS pathways or school referral systems. But what happens when:
• CAMHS already declined the child?
• the school does nothing?
• the child is deteriorating emotionally?
• and the GP says “this is the local protocol”?

One recent case involved a 6-year-old girl screened positive for:
• autism traits
• ADHD-related hyperactivity
• severe emotional dysregulation
• sensory processing difficulties
• anxiety-related eating difficulties consistent with ARFID presentations

Her anxiety amplified her sensory overwhelm and reduced her motivation to eat.

Yet the family were reportedly told the GP could not refer directly via Right to Choose and the CAMHS pathways had to be followed first
Meanwhile:
• school support remained limited,
• CAMHS did not intervene,
• and the child continued to struggle.

This is where parents need to understand something important:

Right to Choose is not merely a “local favour”. It is rooted in national NHS patient choice rights.

So if you are blocked, try these 6 steps:

1️⃣ Ask for the refusal in writing
Ask whether the refusal is:
• clinical,
or
• purely administrative.

That distinction matters legally.

2️⃣ Ask for a copy of the ICB or Trust policy
Many parents are told “this is the protocol” but never actually shown the written policy.

3️⃣ Refer directly to NHS England Patient Choice Guidance
National guidance supports patient choice for qualifying NHS services.

4️⃣ Keep evidence of functional impact
Document:
• school distress,
• eating difficulties,
• sensory overwhelm,
• emotional dysregulation,
• anxiety,
• sleep difficulties,
• supervision needs,
• and risk escalation.

Function matters more than labels.

5️⃣ Escalate safeguarding concerns where appropriate
If a child’s mental health, nutrition, attendance or safety are deteriorating, this is not a routine waiting list issue anymore.

6️⃣ Make a formal complaint if necessary
Families can complain to:
• the GP practice,
• the ICB,
• PALS,
• NHS England,
• or ultimately the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

The uncomfortable reality is this if a local pathway cannot assess or support a child in a timely way, systems should be very cautious about simultaneously blocking access to alternative NHS-funded providers. Children with neurodevelopmental needs should not fall into a gap between CAMHS, schools and commissioning bureaucracy.

Delayed assessment delays the chance to improve outcomes.

Swinton Lock Activity Centre

27/05/2026

Are you looking to take that first step in your employment journey?

Supported Employment help individuals aged 16 and over who are neurodiverse or have learning disabilities explore opportunities in all areas including employment, training, education and work experience💼

If you would like a chat or would like more information you can email us at [email protected]📧

To make a referral please use the following link➡️ www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/pathways-to-work

26/05/2026

25/05/2026

TONIGHT. 7-9pm. Men’s talking group, with Mens Mental Health Group

No need to book- just pop in and say hello!
Make that first step towards better mental health.

fans

📢 Reminder 📢 MMHG are at the Lock tonight for their Men’s mental health group.

This group keeps the focus on talking, with peer support at the heart of every session. If you want more information please comment below.

The session starts at 7pm, running every Monday, with no booking necessary- just turn up and take the first step towards improving your mental health.

fans

23/05/2026

For anyone wishing to invoke their ‘right to choose’ with their GP, for a referral to National Autism & ADHD Assessment Centre services and clinic at the Lock, Doctor Jill Aylott has created a letter template for you to use.

Please also find below the QR code, where you can register your interest. This will help us establish contact with people prior to opening.

We are excited to be another step closer to officially opening our doors and welcoming you all to our clinic.

fans

23/05/2026

Here’s the QR code to register your interest for National Autism & ADHD Assessment Centre clinic.

fans

NEW CQC Registered Autism & ADHD Right to Choose Multi-Disciplinary, Person Centred wrap around service in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. The best in co-occurring complex conditions, sensory sensitivities, joined up mental health and neurodiversity. Scan the QR code to register your interest today! Swinton Lock Activity Centre National Autism & ADHD Assessment Centre