CAN Network News - October half term 2026
Welcome to the latest CAN Network News, with ideas for accessible activities this October half term and beyond.
There’s a lot to fit into this issue. Alongside our regular round up of inclusive activities, we have:
- Autumn and Halloween events
- Tips for Bonfire Night and low-noise firework displays
- Seasonal inclusive dance online
- Half term accessible activity round up
- Book-ahead inclusive Christmas ideas
- Support for unpaid carers
As always, we would love to hear from you with any feedback about the newsletter, including topics you'd like us to cover in future.
 Autumn events
Halloween Sessions in Woodley from Together One Step at a Time
Families are invited to enjoy two inclusive Halloween events this October.
The Halloween Sensory Session takes place on 28 October at 10am, offering Halloween-themed sensory fun in a relaxed environment.
Then, on 30 October at 2pm, join the Halloween Disco for an afternoon of fun, music and dancing with a SEND-friendly approach. Fancy dress is welcome, but there's absolutely no pressure to dress up.
Both sessions cost £10 per child. Please email Jennaemail Jenna to book.
Send Circus Halloween Disco:
Miss Foray’s SEND Circus Halloween Circus Disco will be in Aldershot on 27 October and Tadley 29 October. For more details see their events page.
Halloween activities at Dinton Pastures:
Dinton Pastures Country Park are hosting three family events this coming half term.
The Pumpkin Fair on 25 October will be filled with farm animals, rides, stalls, face-painting and more.
The fair will be held on the field backing onto the overflow car park, Davis Street entrance. It is a grass field and conditions underfoot/wheels can be affected by weather, so please take this into consideration when thinking about your family’s access needs.
Dinton After Dark is a family‑friendly Halloween adventure, from 4.30 to 6.30pm on 31 October. Follow our gently spooky lakeside trail, meet friendly characters along the way and enjoy cosy treats under the autumn sky.
There's also a Pumpkin and Phantoms Halloween Trail taking place around Dinton from 24 October to 1 November, 9am to 4pm.
Both trails will stick to the main paths around the park and so will be accessible for wheelchairs, walking aids and buggies.
Halloween Adventure at Basildon Park
'We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt' Hallowe'en Adventure at Basildon Park is ideal for preschoolers and younger children.
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. This outdoors trail includes areas of different gradient. Step-free routes through the gardens are available.
Local pumpkin patches
Wokingham Children's Book Festival
Tickets are still available for many of the events at Wokingham Children’s Book Festival on 17 and 18 October. The festival celebrates the joy of reading and the power of storytelling, bringing together authors, illustrators and performers for a weekend of interactive events
 SEN friendly bonfire night ideas
With large crowds and big bangs, Bonfire Night can be difficult for many of our children and young people with additional needs.
Ambitious about Autism's Fireworks events page has autistic young people’s top tips for hosting an inclusive fireworks celebration and discover insights about how they experience fireworks events.
The National Autistic Society has tips for making bonfire night a positive experience.
Lower noise firework displays
Kennet School in Thatcham is hosting a professional low-noise display set to music on 6 November. For more details see the Kennet School PTA events page.
A little further afield, Godstone Farm are holding a Low Bang Fireworks festival on 24 and 25 October: It will be a sensory-friendly low bangs and lasers fireworks festival, packed with magical moments, enthralling lights and family fun! Early booking is recommended.
If you know of any similar events suitable for our CAN Network families, please do let us know.
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 Free inclusive online dance classes
Flamingo Chicks inclusive dance charity create accessible classes for all children, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
They share inclusive, free virtual classes, with BSL interpretation on their Youtube channel.
Why not get ready for Diwali with their Festival of Lights Dance Class, or try a spooky Halloween Dance Class this half term.
Regular play and activity sessions running through half term - and beyond!
Please click on the links below to find out more about facilities, registering, and booking:
The Chill and Fun Crew will be holding their next SEND stay and play session for children aged five to 12 and their parents/carers on 7 November at their new venue Brambles Best Start Family Hub in Wokingham. Booking required, see their Facebook page for upcoming sessions and booking.
 Book ahead for Christmas
A Christmas Carol at Reading Rep Theatre opens on 21 November and will have relaxed performances.
Every show includes Integrated creative captions, live audio description, and a BSL interpreter as part of the on-stage action.
Thomley SEND activity centre are offering Breakfast or Dinner with Santa, and a magical Christmas Market and Light Walk this December. All events are welcoming and accessible. Visit their events page for details and booking.
Odds Farm Park Christmas Cracker has dedicated SEN only sessions at Odds Farm in High Wycombe:
- 28 November
- 6, 11, 13 and 16 December
Journey through a winter wonderland to the North Pole and enjoy a special, heartwarming visit with Father Christmas.
A Magical Christmas at Bocketts Farm in Leatherhead also has dedicated SEN sessions to meet Santa.
In previous years, The Lexicon in Bracknell and Winnersh Garden Centre have had dedicated SEND sessions available for their Santa’s Grotto experience. They are both yet to announce this year’s dates, so keep an eye on their websites for updates.
Although these are not dedicated SEND sessions, enthusiasts may enjoy a train ride to visit Santa:
- RSME at Prospect Park have some spaces remaining for their Santa Visit
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Keep an eye on the Pinewood Railway webpage to see when booking opens for their Santa Special, and for a video of a previous year's event to help gauge whether this may be accessible for your child.
 Free online support for unpaid carers
Looking after someone can leave little time for yourself. The Carers UK Digital Resource brings together practical advice, support and tools in one place.
Need help getting started? Try the , which helps you understand the support available to carers. You can also use to create a plan for what would happen if you were unable to provide care.
Short on time? The resource includes videos on a range of topics to support you in your caring role, so you can .
You'll also find information on wellbeing, financial support, balancing work and caring, and much more.
using the access code DGTL9788.
SEND Local Offer Newsletter
Keep up to date with Wokingham Borough SEND news, including current SEND reform with the SEND Local Offer newsletter. Find previous editions and how to sign up here.
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.
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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