Friends and Families

08/09/2026

We're getting ready for International Day of Sign Languages on 23rd September!

CBeebies has put together a collection of shows and clips celebrating sign language — a lovely excuse to sit down together as a family and learn a few signs.

Whether it's Makaton or British Sign Language, every sign learned is another way to be understood.

Have a watch: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/curations/celebrating-sign-language

CBeebies Parenting

International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated every year on 23 September to help everyone learn about the amazing sign languages used around the world.

08/09/2026

Sharing for our friends at Beat4autism, Plymouth Highbury Trust & Plymouth Community Builders!

📅 Saturday 3rd October
⏰ 6pm – 8pm
📍 Plymouth Highbury Trust
🎟️ Just £7 per ticket – CARERS GO FREE!
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🚀🎧 GET READY TO DANCE AMONG THE STARS! 🎧🚀

Something a little different is coming to Plymouth this October… ASTRO BEATS: SILENT DISCO! 🌌🪩✨

📅 Saturday 3rd October
⏰ 6pm – 8pm
📍 Plymouth Highbury Trust
🎟️ Just £7 per ticket – CARERS GO FREE!
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Grab your headphones, choose your tunes and get ready to dance, glow and party the night away at this fun, welcoming and inclusive event! 💃🕺🎶

And your £7 ticket doesn't just get you into the Silent Disco! 🙌 It also includes:

🎧 Headphones
🪐 Paint-a-Space-Model activity
✨ Festival face glitter

PLUS, available on the night… 🍬 Tuck Shop, 🌟 Glow Sticks and 🎟️ Raffle!

Whether you're a dancing superstar, prefer to have a little boogie at your own pace, or just want to soak up the atmosphere, Astro Beats is all about having fun and enjoying the evening YOUR way! 💙💚

⚠️ TICKETS ARE LIMITED, so don't leave it too late!

📲 Pre-book using the QR code on the poster or pay at the door.

Tag someone who would LOVE this! 👇😍

🌌🎧 HEADPHONES ON. LIGHTS GLOWING. MUSIC PLAYING. LET'S GET READY FOR ASTRO BEATS! 🎧🌌

04/09/2026

Did you know?

Our dedicated team of just three office staff and six sessional staff support over 1,500 families across Plymouth and the surrounding areas.

That's the difference a determined, close-knit team can make.

(Source: Friends & Families Impact Report 2025/26)

02/09/2026

What a summer! Our team and volunteers packed the school holidays with sessions for all our clubs!

Here's our Adventure Club enjoying an amazing day out at River Dart Country Park.

We'll be sharing more from across the summer over the next few weeks — watch this space and head over to our website to find more family adventures and activities: https://www.friendsandfamilies.org.uk/activities

31/08/2026

We just want to say... a huge thank you. 💚

In the last year, thanks to donations, grants, events and activities, our supporters helped us raise over £187,000 — funding that goes straight back into supporting disabled children and their families across Plymouth.

Thank you to every family, fundraiser, volunteer and donor who backed us this year — and to everyone who joined us at our activities. You make this possible.

25/08/2026

Impact, in numbers.

Our 2025/26 families survey found:
- 98% said our services met their child's needs
- 92% said we helped reduce feelings of isolation
- 91% said we had a positive impact on their mental health
- 88% said our EHCP support improved their ability to advocate for their child

These outcomes are only possible because of the funders, partners and corporate supporters who invest in our work. If your organisation is looking for a Charity of the Year partner with measurable impact, we'd love to talk.

Read our full Impact Report 2025/26 on our website.

21/08/2026

Looking for childcare in Plymouth?

Plymouth City Council's Family Information Directory is a free, searchable directory of local childcare providers — including Full Day Care, Holiday Clubs, Breakfast Clubs and After School Clubs.

Just enter what you're looking for and the first 3 letters/numbers of your postcode...

Search the directory: https://fid.plymouth.gov.uk/

19/08/2026

📣 NEW COURSE! 📣

Learn Makaton with us!

Wednesday 23rd September (10am-1pm)
AND Wednesday 30th September (10am-1pm)
THIS COURSE IS HELD OVER TWO HALF DAYS

🔴 Parent/Carer: Level 1 Makaton Course

Friends & Families is partnering with Livewell Southwest to deliver a Level 1 Makaton Course for parents and carers of disabled children — building communication tools that support families long after the session ends.

This course is split over two half days where you'll learn:
- About the history, design and structure of Makaton
- The MakatonCore Vocabulary
- Signs and symbols from Makaton stages 1-2

Book your place: https://bit.ly/FAFBookActivities

If an activity is sold out, please email [email protected] or call 01752 2024369 to be added to our reserve lists!

18/08/2026

Every Tuesday, our Little Steps Together playgroups welcome disabled children aged 0-5 and their parents/carers — kept small, at up to five families a session, so every child has space to play and explore.

This year, Little Steps supported 51 families over 43 sessions.

One parent told us: "Amazing inclusive opportunities for my kids. Lovely Little Steps group [with] amazing support."

Little steps. Big difference.
Find out more: www.friendsandfamilies.org.uk

17/08/2026

📣 NEW ACTIVITIES! 📣

New activities are now live on our website with the last few spaces on our Fun & Freedom & Youth Adventures Mount Batten activities!

🟢 Adventure Club: Colour Drench
🔵 Fun & Freedom: Colour Drench
🟣 Making Sense: Sound Bath at Immersive Dome
🟡 Youth Adventures: YA Club

✏️ Visit www.friendsandfamilies.org.uk to book your spaces now!

If an activity is sold out, please email [email protected] or call 01752 2024369 to be added to our reserve lists!

🟢 Adventure Club: disabled children aged 0-25 who attend with a parent/carer.
🔵 Fun & Freedom: siblings & young carers without a disability aged 6-18 who attend without a parent/carer.
🟣 Making Sense: children with profound & multiple disabilities aged 0-25 who attend with a parent/carer.
🟡 Youth Adventures: disabled young people aged 13-25 who attend without a parent/carer.

Please ensure this is suitable before you book on to the activity!