Daisy Chain

Daisy Chain exists to support and empower autistic children, young people, adults and their families. We deliver a wide range of person-centered services for autistic individuals from as young as aged 3 to aged 18+ and into adulthood.

Our five-and-a-half-acre site in Norton offers a welcoming, calm and supportive environment where service users are able to relax, seek support, have fun and connect with others. This includes a purpose-built day centre, two sensory rooms, a farm, a sensory play area, forest school area and a horticultural zone comprising of planting beds, green houses and three large polytunnels.

Our Superstore on Portrack Lane, whilst open to the public as a retail outlet, also provides real life work experience for adult service users within our employability services.

Children Services include:

• After School & Holiday Clubs – a varied programme of activities aimed at boosting confidence, improving social skills and facilitating friendships. Sessions on offer include social & teenage clubs, arts & crafts, barn club and forest school sessions. High needs sessions with 121 support are also available.
• Trips & Residentials – funded by Children in Need we provide free day trips and residentials during the school holidays to destinations such as Tweddle Farm, Diggerland, Adventure Valley, Peat Rigg Activity Centre and Centre Parcs.
• High Needs Holiday Sessions – funded by Children in Need these free 3-hour sessions are available on a weekly basis during the school holidays for children between the age of 3 and 11 who require 121 support.
• Rising Stars Performing Arts Project – free performing arts-based sessions which take place on weekends as well as after school and during the school holidays. Activities on offer include drama, movement, sound as well as more bespoke sessions such as script writing, masks & puppetry and video editing.

Family Services include:

• Family Activity Days – connect with other families and enjoy our farm, outdoor play areas and a variety of different indoor & outdoor activities including soft play, arts & crafts, cooking, pond dipping and much more.
• Links Speaker Series – new for September 2021 our Links Speaker Series aims to give parents and carers the opportunity to listen to interesting speakers and connect with other parents. The sessions take place during term time on the 3^rd Thursday of the month from 10am to 12:00pm and a creche is available for children under the age of 5.
• Parent & Toddler Group – new for September 2021 our Special Needs toddler group is available to children with any additional need under the age of 5 and their parents and carers. This session takes place during term time on the 1^st, 2^nd,4^th and 5^th Thursday of the month from 10am to 12:00pm.
• National Telephone Support Service – free service to ensure neurodiverse young people, adults and families have access to personalised advice and guidance. Can be accessed by ringing 0800 031 5445 or emailing support@daisychainproject.co.uk.

Daisy Chain also currently holds a contract with NHS Tees Valley CCG & Stockton Borough Council to provide a Neurodevelopmental Family Support Services in Stockton & Hartlepool. This service is for children, young people and families affected by a neurodevelopmental disorder and offers weekly drop in sessions, one to one parent support and awareness and learning workshops for parents and professionals.

Adult Services include:

• Gardening placements - work in small groups to tend to Daisy Chain’s gardens, learn new skills and play a vital part in our horticultural enterprise
• Employability Support - Employability courses, internal and external work placement experiences, 121 support and workshops
• Housing, benefits and independent living - Benefits advice and advocacy, housing support and independent living skills workshops
• Wellbeing and counselling services - 121 and small group-based support available
• Evening clubs and activities - boost your social skills and confidence, have fun and connect with others

-         Chill and chat club

-         Community connect club

-         Dungeons and Dragons’s club

Please visit the Daisy Chain website for more information or contact us via info@daisychainproject.co.uk