CAN Network - Easter 2026
With the Easter holidays fast approaching, we look at accessible activities and events across the borough and beyond.
This issue also has a special feature exploring the many low cost or free workshops and courses available to SEND parents and carers in the borough - offering a wide range of experience and support.
- Garden Explorers SEND holiday club
- Together One Step at a Time sensory sessions
- Easter themed activities
- Egg hunts and trails
- Dinton adventure golf – new to CAN card
- Train fun
- Upcoming workshops and courses
- Our regular round up of accessible clubs and activities for the holidays and beyond
As always you'll find our useful contacts list at the bottom of the newsletter, along with info on the CAN Network our contact details.
We'd love to hear you feedback and ideas for future issues:
- Are there any activities or special interests you would like to see featured?
- Are there any activities you are finding it hard to access?
 Garden Explorers
Thrive, the gardening for health charity are running ‘Garden Explorers’, a holiday club for children and young people aged 11 to 17, with special education needs and disabilities.
Sessions are £10 and must be pre-booked:
- Tuesday 31 March, 10.30am to 2.30pm
- Tuesday 7 April, 10.30am to 2.30pm
Please call 0118 988 4844 or email for information about eligibility and booking.
Thrive also run regular social and therapeutic programmes for over 18s.
 Sensory sessions
Together One Step at a Time are running inclusive, sensory sessions through the holidays:
- Easter Sensory Session: themed trays, table activities and bucket time - Wednesday 1 April at 10am, Lower Earley, £10
- Rainbow Sensory Session: sensory play, table activities, and bucket time - Wednesday 8 April at 10am, Lower Earley, £10
- Disco Time: A relaxed, inclusive disco with music, movement and sensory fun - Saturday 11th April at 3pm, Woodley, £12
Email Jenna for more information or to book a session.
 Easter activities
Wokingham Borough Libraries have arts and craft sessions across their branches:
- Mon 30 March, 1pm at Lower Earley Library
- Tues 31 March, 10.30am at Wokingham Library
- Tues 31 March, 10.30am at Twyford Library
- Thurs 2 April, 2.15pm at Finchampstead Library
- Tues 7 April, 10.30am at Woodley Library
Craft sessions are £2 or free to CAN Card holders who present their CAN card on the day. Book online or via email (please mention your CAN card when booking).
Meet the Guide Dogs at Lower Earley Library
On Friday 10 April, meet the Guide Dogs at Lower Earley Library from 10am to midday, no charge.
'Museums, My Way' craft session at Reading Museum
On Monday 30 March from 10am to 11.15am. Aimed at neurodivergent visitors and their families. Breakout room, quiet areas and sensory bags available. Suggested donation £4, booking required.
'Museums, My Way' session at The Museum of English Rural Life
On Monday 30 March from 10am to 2pm when the museum is closed to the public. Siblings, families, carers and friends are all welcome. All activities are optional and you can visit at any point within the event times. Booking required.
ASD Family Help are holding an all-ages Spring Disco on Wednesday 8 April from 5.15pm to 7pm at Radstock Community Centre in Earley. Booking required
Master Builders Club are holding ‘Golden Egg Escapade’ Easter-themed LEGO workshops at various Berkshire locations throughout the Easter Holidays. Suitable for LEGO fans aged 5+
 Egg hunts and trails
Local National Trust venues all have Easter trails with sweet rewards – however, access can vary due to the nature of the grounds and age of the buildings – please do check ahead to check each trail is suitable for your family’s needs.
Easter Adventures at Greys Court, 21 March to 12 April | National Trust
Easter Adventures at Basildon Park, 3 to 12 April | National Trust
Days out with kids | The Vyne | National Trust
Please note that there is an admission charge as well as the event charge (admission free for National Trust members).
The Trust provide an essential companion pass, which admits carers free of charge – contact them for more details, including eligibility via their access page.
Trails through gardens and grounds can prove difficult or inaccessible for those with mobility needs…here are some pavement based options which may prove more accessible. Do click on the links provided so that you can find out more:
Binfield Easter Egg Hunt is back from 30 to 6 April.
Maps of the route around businesses and homes in the village are £5 from either Binfield Village Stores or Foxes Den Café
Reading Easter Trail has bunnies hiding in shop windows around Reading town centre, from 28 March to 12 April.
Pick up a free trail map from:
- Reading Museum (open Tues-Sat)
- Broad Street Mall - Customer Service Desk
- The Oracle
 Dinton Adventure Golf - new to CAN card
Tee off at Dinton Adventure Golf
Swing by for 18 holes of crazy golf, it's a Tee-refic activity that can be enjoyed by everyone!
CAN card holders can have their carer play for free, by showing their card on the day.
Their photo gallery gives an idea of the course - get in touch if you have specific access questions.
Train fun - all aboard!
There's lots going on for train fans this Spring...
Prospect Park Miniature Railway (pictured) are holding their "Special Needs Trains" session on Monday 30 March from 1.30pm to 4pm
Pinewood Miniature Railway will re-open on Sunday 15 March, with train rides running from 1.30pm to 4pm They will be running monthly sessions until November. Visit their events page for more information.
Basingstoke Miniature Steam Gala is taking place on the 11 and 12 April from 10am until 4.30pm, with model traction engines, road vehicles and steam models in steam, alongside their miniature railway track. Parking and entry are free.
Reading Group | The Engine Shed is a monthly special interest group for autistic children, young people and adults. The club enables those with an interest in trains to come together with their peers to observe, play, talk and enjoy their hobby in a welcoming, safe and relaxing environment. Model railways and train sets for all abilities are set up and a range of train-related resources are available for participants to play with.
‘We are up a short flight of stairs and have a Stannah stair lift in place; please contact us about your access requirements.’ All sessions are free and there is no need to book.
Saturday 28 March:
- 10am to 12 midday, ages 10 and under
- 12 midday to 2pm, ages 11 to 17 years
Younger children on the autism pathway (or who may benefit) can join in with their “Little Engines Early Years Group” (run in collaboration with Together One Step At a Time). The next, fortnightly session is on Monday 30 March from 10am to 11.15am.
Parent and carer courses
ASSIST, Wokingham Borough Council’s award-winning family support service deliver the National Autistic Society’s EarlyBird, EarlyBird Plus, and Teen Life programmes alongside offering autism focused workshops for adults on a range of subjects.
Upcoming individual workshops include:
- Supporting Siblings (at Woodley Airfield Centre): Fri 24 April 2026, 9.30am to midday
- Autism specific workshop on sexual development and puberty (at Woodley Airfield Centre): Wed 6 May 2026, 9.30am to midday
- Autism understanding & acceptance (online): Tues 2 June 2026, 7 to 9pm
- Supporting autistic individuals to understand and self-manage emotions & feelings (including anger) (online): Mon 22 June 7 to 9pm
- Workshops are subsidised by Wokingham Borough Council and cost £10 for parents, carers and autistic individuals (£40 for professionals)
For further information about workshops, to book a place, or join the ASSIST mailing list please email.
Autism Berkshire’s Berkshire West Autism & ADHD Support Service run free workshops and courses online for parents, carers, children and young people.
These services are only available to parents/carers of children and young people who have possible or confirmed autism and/or ADHD and are registered with a GP surgery in the Berkshire West NHS area (Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire).
Parents and carers who would like to register an interest in attending workshops or courses should complete an online referral form, or can contact them with any questions.
Upcoming workshops and courses include:
- Understanding More About Autism: Thurs 23 April
- Sensory Differences: 2-part course Thurs 7 May and Thurs 14 May
- Autism & Mainstream Schools: Wed 3 June
- Supporting Behaviour: 2-part course Thurs 4 June and Thurs 11 June
- Emotional Regulation: Thurs 25 June
- Eating & Mealtime Challenges: Wed 25 March; Thurs 2 July
Find out more on their workshops and courses page, and keep up to date with upcoming events on Autism Berkshire’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
ASD Family Help run free dayime and evening in-person workshops for Wokingham residents. Visit their events page for venues, times and how to book:
- Understanding Our Neurodivergent Communication: Thurs 26 Mar
- Explore Our Neurodivergent Brains: Fri 27 March, Thurs 23 April
- Shaping Our Worlds To Support Our Neurodivergent Selves: Fri 24 April, Thurs 30 April
To keep up to date with future activities and events, visit ASD Family Help on Facebook
SEND Voices Wokingham and Wokingham SENDIASS run regular free training courses for Wokingham Borough parent carers via Zoom. Upcoming topics include:
- EHCP Annual Reviews: Tues 24 March, 10 to 11.30am
- EHCPs: Wed 6 May, 10 to 11.30am
- SEND Support in School: Wed 10 June 10 to 11.30am
- Preparing for Adulthood: Tues 23 June, 7 to 8.30pm
For details about each training session, and how to book visit SEND Voices’ events page
What's on
Our regular round-up of accessible clubs and activities for the holidays and beyond
Please click on the links below to find out more about facilities, registering, and booking:
Swings and Smiles
Thames Valley Adventure Playground
Camp Mohawk
Building for the Future 'Our House' will be running their ‘stay and play’ holiday clubs.
Wiggly Worms free, drop-in weekly group for children aged under 5 years with and autism diagnosis or identified as needing an assessment, continues to run throughout school holidays.
Loddon Valley Leisure Centre will be running their regular SEN soft play (Sun 8.30 to 10.00am) and Disability Swim (Tues 11am to 12 midday) through school holidays. There will be a family fun inflatable day on Friday 10 April, SEND session will be 12.30 to 2pm (bookable 2 weeks in advance)
Wokingham Leisure Centre will be running their regular SEND soft play (Saturdays 5.30pm) and Disability Swim (Mon and Thurs 2 to 3pm) through the school holidays.
Coral Reef Waterworld will continue to run their SEN sessions throughout the holidays, with additional sessions on Wednesday mornings. Remember to take your CAN card as proof of eligibility, and to book you free carers ticket where applicable.
Dinton Pastures Country Park have a “SEN Family friendly - Indoor Climbing Session” on Thurs 9 April from 2 to 5pm.
Useful contacts
ASSIST (Autism Spectrum Service for Information Support and Training) is a family support service from Wokingham Borough Council, for those in the borough with a child or young person under 18 with an autism diagnosis or waiting for an assessment. Help with information, advice, guidance and signposting.
ASD Family Help - open to all autistic individuals or those with associated conditions. No diagnosis required. Regular parent and carer drop-in sessions. Fun activities for children and teenagers, social groups for adults and outings for the whole family. Practical help and advice.
Autism Berkshire - provide specialist services, training and social and leisure activities throughout Berkshire guided by a team of trustees and staff with personal and professional experience of autism. Providing information and advice through a helpline, events, workshops and newsletters; and running accessible social and leisure activities for children, adults and families.
FIRST - The Family Intervention Resources and Support Team (FIRST) provides information, workshops and courses around sleep and distressed behaviour.
National Deaf Children's Society are sharing tips and advice for school holidays and activities. You can also book a free, friendly appointment for advice and support from Berkshire's local Community Connector, Rania Sammour, here.
Parenting Special Children - set up to help other parents/carers navigate the world of SEND. Empowering families whose children/young people are neurodivergent and/or have special needs and/or disabilities including early life trauma.
Promise Inclusion - a local charity that supports people with learning disabilities and their carers. Weekly, term-time Youth Club for young people aged 13 to 19 with learning disabilities and/or autism. Activity clubs for siblings aged 8-13 years old. Family liaison team offering emotional and practical support to carers; from support in meetings, to advice and information on benefits, form filling, housing, supported living, transition, education, mental capacity, power of attorney, deputyship and more. Monthly carers coffee/lunches, carers respite trips and information events.
SEND Voices Wokingham - an independent parent carer forum. Set up to ensure that families and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities in the Wokingham Borough, can have a voice and participate fully in the development of services.
Wokingham Carers Partnership - A partnership of three commissioned local charities: Age UK Berkshire, Berkshire Youth and Promise Inclusion. Offering information, advice, and support to people throughout the borough who are caring for a child or adult family member, partner or friend.
Wokingham SENDIASS - free, confidential, impartial information, advice and support relating to all aspects of SEN and disabilities, including health, social care and personal budgets.
What is the CAN Network?
The CAN (Children with Additional Needs) Network provides an information and support service for families and carers of children and young people (aged up to 25) with additional needs and disabilities.
The CAN Network also maintains Wokingham Borough Council’s Children with Disabilities Register and CAN Card.
The Children with Disabilities Register is a voluntary, confidential list of information about children with diagnosed disabilities in Wokingham Borough.
The information shared with us is used anonymously to help plan and improve future services to meet the needs of local disabled children and young people.
Those eligible to join the Children with Disabilities Register can receive a free CAN card.
The CAN card is a photo ID card which can be used as proof of diagnosed disability. It's accepted by many local attractions as proof for concessions or free carer tickets.
Find out more about signing up to the register and receiving a CAN card here.
Get in touch
For support using our online application or for any other enquiries please email.
Disclaimer
By sharing information with you the CAN information network is not providing a recommendation or endorsement of a service/organisation.
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