Having Fun

Children and young people need some way to relax and enjoy themselves. Many children with additional support needs benefit from some kind of sporting activity or soft play, others enjoy going to parks, museums or the cinema. Sports and leisure activities can be something in which a parent can participate with their child, or together as a family.

Sports and leisure activities may seem expensive, however, there are a range of opportunities
that provide discounted or free entry. Details of these and ideas of sports clubs, places of
interest and other leisure facilities in the East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow and
surrounding areas that are accessible can be found below.
 
This section will be updated on a regular basis as we learn of more accessible activities for children or young people with additional needs.  If you aware of anything that should be added, please contact us and let us know.
Accessible Venues
Disabled Go - Here you can find detailed information about the access to all kinds of places - hotels, restaurants, colleges, tourist attractions, libraries, hospitals, leisure centres etc
Davie Cooper Centre- aims to build a Family Centre for Children and Young Adults with Special Needs on Great Western Road, Clydebank
 
Accessible Cinema
Cinema Exhibitor's Association Card (CEA)
Provides free entry to most cinemas for Carers.  Cost £5 for 3 years.  The card is issued to the person who requires assistance to enjoy the cinema.  In this way there is no restriction on the accompanying person, whether parent, family member, friend, care worker etc.  Application form is available through the website or from any of the major Glasgow Cinemas.
 
In particular, the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) has introduced monthly autism-friendly screenings. The film and the cinema environment are suitable for children with autism spectrum disorders and/or sensory hypersensitivity. The GFT also provide accessible screenings such as audio description and descriptive screenings (for [filtered word] of hearing).
 
Other listings and cinemas for accessible cinema can be found at Your Local Cinema
 
Clubs & Sports
There are two sports centres in East Dunbartonshire that are accessible and which run programmes for children with additional needs. Links to these and school summer programmes can be found through the East Dunbartonshire website.  The website also lists local special needs sports clubs including:
 
Riding for the Disabled Association – Sandy Flat, Caldercuilt Road, Summerston
Clyde Cruising Club - Bardowie Loch
 
Further ideas and listings may be available from Scottish Disability Sport
 
 
What's On and Events
It would be impossible for us to provide an up-to-date events listing for all leisure and entertainment activities in East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow and the surrounding areas!  However, these are some of our favourite guides which you may find useful. 

East Dunbartonshire and Surrounds

Glasgow and Scotland

  • The List - Event guide and magazine as to what's on in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland
  • Whats On Scotland - Regional web guide to what's happening in your chosen area.
  • Where Can We Go - Britain's What's On Guide
  • S1 Play - Entertainments and Listings

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Accessible Holidays

Update has 2 CD-Roms available - Holidays For All Scotland and Holidays For All Abroad.  The discs provide details of accessible holiday accommodation, travel and transport, holiday funding, specialist travel agencies, holiday insurance, holiday equipment hire, and funding possibilities.   Carers Link has copies of these discs within our offices - please contact us for details.

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