AutismAble

12/10/2026

💙 ONE YEAR AGO TODAY — SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL HAPPENED! 🎶

As the Mercury Prize prepares to return to Newcastle on 22 October, we're looking back at one of our proudest musical moments!

A year ago today, some of our incredible Future Collaborations group took to the stage at the Mercury Prize Fringe with The Coastal Smile — an extraordinary, completely improvised performance.

Under the brilliant direction of musician and tutor Ian Black (SLUG) our members created an amazing original composition, weaving together tape loops, drums, percussion, electric bass, trumpet, electric piano, synthesisers, glockenspiel, electric guitar, vocals and their own original poetry.

The result was a remarkable, moving piece of music — full of beautiful moments and unexpected twists.

Turn up the sound and experience The Coastal Smile.

23/09/2026

Our Travelling with Confidence group have just put the finishing touches to their latest educational video, this time focusing on rail safety.

The group explored some of the real challenges involved in travelling safely, including the importance of paying attention to what is happening around you while also using the coping strategies that can make journeys feel more manageable.

Travelling with Confidence supports autistic and disabled people across the North East to build the skills, knowledge and confidence to travel more independently.

A huge thank you to the Motability Foundation for making this project possible.

If you’d like to find out more about Travelling with Confidence, please contact [email protected]

03/09/2026

Calling North Shields and South Shields residents aged 18+!

Our FREE Music Drop-In sessions are inclusive, welcoming and suitable for all abilities—whether you’re a complete beginner or already have musical experience.

Under the guidance of professional music tutors, you can:

🎸 Learn to play and make music as a group
🎛️ Explore recording and live sound
🎹 Try different instruments
🤝 Meet new people in a friendly environment

📍 North Shields
Every Wednesday, 1pm–3pm
Bird Song Studios,Albion Road

📍 South Shields
Every Thursday, 1pm–3pm
Fowler Street Hub

The sessions take place in our professional music studios and are completely FREE of charge.

📱 WhatsApp 07544 867852 to register your interest.

27/08/2026

A huge thank you to Ted from promotions ❤️🎶

Ted popped into our South Shields hub today to meet some of our lovely members and very generously donate the proceeds from his latest gig to our organisation.

Every penny will go straight back into our local community, helping us put on free, inclusive music sessions for local people and creating more opportunities for people to get involved, make music and connect with others.

We’re incredibly grateful to Ted for choosing to support what we do, and to everyone who came along to the gig and helped make the donation possible.

Make sure you give a follow too to keep up with some amazing gigs happening across the North East. 🎸

We’ve got some exciting plans for the money already… more on that very soon! 👀🥁

Thank you, Ted! 💙

12/08/2026

22/07/2026

🎶 Look how amazing our music group are! 🎤

They’ve been busy practising Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and we can’t wait to see them perform it at our next event.

They’re sounding fantastic already, and we know they’re going to put on an incredible performance. Keep up the brilliant work, everyone! 🎵👏🎸

21/07/2026

Free music sessions from our amazing Future Collaborations team !

🎧 FREE MUSIC WORKSHOPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 14–25

Interested in music but not sure where to begin?

Future Collaborations gives you the chance to try guitar, DJing, music production, live performance, drums and recording—with friendly support and no previous experience needed.

Coming up this week:
🎸 Wednesday 22 July: Beginner guitar workshop
🎤 Thursday 23 July: Make and perform music using accessible instruments
🎧 Friday 24 July: Try DJing with vinyl turntables

You can attend just one workshop or try several. Equipment is provided, and both neurodivergent and neurotypical young people are welcome.

Spaces are completely free, but booking is required.

🔗 Book here:
Or message us if you need any help to get signed up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd000KODw-dK-2OmHoEjKxIOpsGt2D8Whj0yyHZXGzXWLJ3qg/viewform

Please share this with a young person, parent or carer who might be interested.

20/07/2026

Huge thank you to Jonny for kindly donating a Roland drum kit to our Future Collaborations project! 🥁

The group are really looking forward to getting stuck in and making some noise with it.

Here’s Nathan giving us a quick demo!

19/07/2026

☕ Exciting News from Sea Change!

We’re delighted to be part of an exciting new chapter as The Inclusionists Café prepares to open at Haddington Vale, Doxford Park, Sunderland.

The Inclusionists Café brings together Sea Change and AutismAble to form a unique partnership with Gentoo Group, creating a flagship café and training hub that will provide meaningful employment, training and volunteering opportunities for neurodivergent young people and adults.

🍳 We’re now recruiting for 2 Cook positions to join our groundbreaking, inclusive team and help us launch this exciting new café.

If you’re passionate about great food, inclusion and making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

📧 Please send your CV and personal statement to [email protected].

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post!

18/07/2026

☀️ Our Summer Youth Programme is here! ☀️

We have lots of FREE activities taking place across South Shields and Sunderland this summer, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Click the link below to find out more and reserve your place. We can’t wait to see you there! Be quick, limited spaces available!

autismable.com/discover-exciting-youth-activities-this-summer-with-autismable-youth-hub-and-future-collaborations