What we do

Family Support

Online Activities

We host weekly online Zoom activities – including Minecraft club, Among Us club and #sparkleusabedtime Bedtime Stories! Initially set up as part of the online package of supporting during the Covid lockdowns, these activity sessions have become a firm favourite and we continue to host them 3 evenings a week for children to join in and engage socially with their peers.

Email Advice

Help and advice is available via info@sparklesheffield.co.uk. This is suited to parent/carers who find email communication more convenient, or their preferred way to access us. This service can be used answer specific questions or give general advice and signposting.

In-Person Activities:

We schedule regular activities for children and their families – fun things we get up to include swimming, paint-a-pot, going to the cinema or the farm, LEGO club and more! Come and join us as your family, make friends and develop a sense of belonging with the Sparkle Sheffield family!

Autism Awareness cards

Autism awareness cards to help parents avoid confrontation – the cards have a message on the back alerting people to hidden disabilities. These can be used when people make unhelpful comments or judgements on our parenting. They can de-escalate confrontations and usually disperse the person from the parent and child’s personal space. Please get in touch if you would like any of our awareness cards.

Sparkle Groups

Sparkle children’s events include activities such as trips to the cinema, bowling, craft play, soft play and more! We aim for families to be able to access events in a way that the pressures are eased in comparison to accessing everyday mainstream activities. Less pressure, sensory accommodations and people around you who understand what you/ your child is going through means that our events are extremely popular with our members. Events are subsidised by Sparkle Sheffield and are usually discounted by 50% of the general admission price.

*Please note parents must remain with and are responsible for their children at all times*

Sparkle Groups

Twinkle is a sibling support group for children aged 7-16yrs who have an Autistic sibling. Twinkle was founded by Angel, one of the founding members of Sparkle Sheffield. She wanted to start up Twinkle as a way of sharing her experiences, and helping support other siblings who might be experiencing the same things as she did growing up with an Autistic brother.

Twinkle groups meet up and have fun, taking away any associated pressures of being a sibling of a child with additional needs. They also get to meet other children who understand what it’s like, take part in activities and generally have a great time!

We are delighted that Dr Mark Brown supports the Twinkle group, whereby he hosts support sessions so that children can talk freely about their experiences of Autism.