Tag Archive for: Pathway to Independence

we are hiring pa and outreach workers

Join MAIN be part of something AMAZING

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Join MAIN: Make a Real Difference Every Day

Are you looking for a role where your work truly matters? At MAIN, we’re always looking for passionate, dedicated people to join our growing team, whether that’s in a paid position or as a valued member of our volunteer bureau.

MAIN supports children and young people from the age of 5 through to adulthood, delivering services at our Middlesbrough centre and out in the community. We work closely with families and carers to achieve the best possible outcomes, focusing on building life skills, confidence, and independence, while always keeping happiness at the heart of everything we do.

Our work spans a wide range of support, including autism, neurodiversity, learning disabilities, and complex needs. We offer short breaks, alternative education provision, adult day services, transition support into adulthood, and even online chat groups, creating a safe, supportive environment for everyone we work with.

There are many ways to get involved. You might work directly with children and young people, helping them grow and thrive. Or you could support behind the scenes in areas like administration, finance, marketing, or social media, each role playing a vital part in making our services possible.

By joining MAIN, you’re not just taking on a role, you’re becoming part of a community that is committed, compassionate, and driven to make a difference every single day.

If you want to be part of something meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please visit our website at www.iammain.org.uk or email info@iammain.org.uk to request an application form.

#togetherraisingsmiles

 

 

Redcar Rangers in Action for Charity

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Redcar Rangers coaches and chair are taking on the Hard Moors 55 on 21st March 2026, running from Guisborough Rugby Club to Helmsley!

Three team members are pushing themselves across this challenging course to raise funds for MAIN. 💛

We’d love your support!

Keep an eye out for fundraising details from John (Milky) to follow, every contribution counts! 🙌

Let’s show our Redcar Rangers spirit and help make a difference! ⚡

#RedcarRangers #HardMoors55 #CharityRun #Fundraising #CommunitySpirit #togetherraisingsmiles

The Hardmoors 55 is a 55 mile Ultramarathon running from Guisborough to Helmsley. The 55 mile race will take competitors through the North York Moors and the Cleveland Hills in quite possibly winter conditions. Do not underestimate this race!! The race contains over 2000metres of ascent and has a time limit of 16 hours.

Please follow the link if you are able to donate to this worthwhile challenge, supporting two amazing charities.

Hello! I’m raising £750 to Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation & Main Together Raising Smiles an autism charity. Here’s my JustGiving page, if you’d like to donate, please head to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/john-morrill?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=WA

The race will start in Guisborough at the Rugby Club on Belmangate and finish at Helmsley Sports Club

Every child deserves the best possible education — SEND reform must help make that a reality.

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Response to the Government’s SEND Reform Announcement

The Government published its long-awaited reforms to the SEND system. As a local charity supporting autistic, neurodiverse and learning disabled children and their families, MAIN recognises that change can bring both opportunity and uncertainty.

For many of the families we work alongside, uncertainty is not a small matter. Our parents and carers are already exhausted, navigating complex systems, advocating tirelessly for their children, and often fighting prolonged battles simply to secure the support that is legally required. Any proposed changes to the SEND framework will understandably increase anxiety for families who are already stretched beyond capacity.

We urge policymakers to carefully consider their audience before implementing reforms. Behind every policy decision are real children and real families who depend on stability, clarity and trust in the system designed to support them.

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are not a luxury. They are not an optional extra. They are a legal entitlement, a statutory protection that ensures children and young people with additional needs receive the support necessary to access education safely, meaningfully and equitably.

Our children deserve the best possible education, one that recognises their strengths, meets their needs, and enables them to thrive. Their families deserve to be heard, respected, and meaningfully involved in any changes that affect them.

We call on the Government to:

Engage openly and transparently with families and frontline organisations.

Protect the legal rights and statutory protections currently afforded to children and young people with SEND.

Ensure that reforms strengthen, not weaken, accountability and access to support.

Prioritise early intervention and adequately funded services so families are not left in crisis.

Change must not come at the cost of children’s rights or families’ wellbeing. We stand ready to work constructively with decision-makers to ensure reforms deliver genuine improvement rather than additional barriers.

Our families deserve certainty.
Our children deserve opportunity.
Their rights must remain protected.

Win a FREE Personal Assistant (PA) Session at MAIN!

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🌟 Win a FREE Personal Assistant (PA) Session at MAIN! 🌟

Sophie, a dedicated member of the MAIN team 💙, is raising funds to gift one lucky family a FREE Personal Support (PA) session at MAIN!

Our PA sessions are fully tailored to your child’s individual interests, strengths and preferences, delivering meaningful, person-centred support for autistic and neurodiverse children and young people, including those with learning disabilities.

🎉 One family will receive a session completely free of charge!

📅 The session will take place during the Easter holidays:
Friday 3 April 2026 – Friday 17 April 2026

⏳ Closing date for entries: 31st March 2026

To support Sophie’s fundraiser, you can:
💷 Drop off a cash donation at MAIN
🔗 Donate online via GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/2dd9bb782

To ensure complete transparency and fairness, the winner will be selected using a random number generator and the draw will be live streamed.

To enter your child into the draw:
📧 Email: snandrews@iammain.org.uk

📱 Text: 07736 925252
(Please include your child’s name)

Thank you for supporting Sophie and MAIN — and the very best of luck to everyone entering! 🍀💙

MAIN need a Quiet Space

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Help Us Build a Lifeline — MAIN’s Quiet Room Is Within Reach

At MAIN, we see every day how powerful the right environment can be for a child or young person in crisis. For some, a moment of overwhelm can feel like a storm they can’t escape. What they need isn’t punishment or restraint, they need calm. They need safety. They need a space designed with their needs, not their behaviours, at the centre.

And right now, we’re closer than ever to making that space a reality.

Over the last few months, individuals, families, local businesses and community partners have blown us away with their generosity. From sponsored walks (including staff dressed-up as old ladies!) to young Henry’s inspiring fundraising journey, every single person has helped us take huge steps toward creating our purpose-built Quiet Room — a safe, padded, sensory-considerate space where autistic, neurodivergent and learning-disabled young people can regulate without risk of harm.

We’ve raised an incredible £19,485 so far.

But to complete the essential preparatory work,  the builder stage that must be done before installation, we still need £20,000.

With padded Duratex walls, a calming digital skylight and specialist equipment including a donated Doodle Pod from UK Pods, this Quiet Room will transform lives. It will prevent crisis from becoming chaos. It will help young people find peace in their hardest moments. And it will give families, staff and the wider community a space that supports emotional safety and wellbeing.

This Christmas, we’re asking local businesses and supporters to stand with us.

If you or your organisation is choosing a cause to support this year, please consider helping us finish the Quiet Room. Your donation isn’t just funding a room — it’s giving children and young people the dignity, calm and compassion they deserve.

To donate – please follow the link on our website.

Below is the full news article as published, and we are so proud to share the incredible support that’s helping us turn this dream into a much-needed reality.

read full article here

At MAIN, we believe in YOUR ability

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MAIN are seeking dedicated, caring individuals to join our team, as Personal Assistants either within our clubs / groups or supporting young people in the community, offering flexible hours that suit your lifestyle, alongside great opportunities for growth and development.

Remuneration – National Minimum Mage (NMS)
Weekend work is a requirement

MAIN – Empowering Difference, Inspiring Inclusion

Who We Are
MAIN exists to empower autistic and neurodivergent children, young people, and their families to reach their full potential.
We believe every individual deserves to be understood, celebrated, and included, not just supported. For over 23 years, MAIN has worked alongside children, young people, and adults who are autistic, neurodivergent, awaiting diagnosis, or have a learning disability or complex need.  We focus on abilities, not labels, helping people grow in confidence, build life skills, and experience genuine belonging in their communities. What We Do –

  • MAIN offers a wide range of personalised, centre and community-based support designed to empower individuals and families:
    One-to-One Support: Tailored sessions that help children and young people build independence and confidence in real-world settings.
  • Activity & Social Groups: Fun, inclusive clubs including Adventurers, Explorers, Tweens & Teens, and Youth Groups, and much more; where friendships, confidence, and new experiences grow.
  • Advice & Guidance: Compassionate, practical support to help families navigate education, diagnosis, and daily life.
  • 16+transition
  • Adult Day Service – providing a welcoming and nurturing provision of support that is focused, practical and above all FUN!

    • Our Vision
    A world where everyone, regardless of neurotype or ability,  is empowered to reach their full potential, embraced for their uniqueness, and included fully in all aspects of society.

    Our Promise
    At MAIN, we see the person first.
    We work alongside you, not around you.
    Together, we build the confidence, skills, and connections that help every individual and every family thrive.

    Please contact MAIN by sending an email to serviceteam@iammain.org.uk; or complete the enquiry form online.

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    Summer of FUN!

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    Title: A Summer of Impact – Thank You to Our Incredible MAIN Staff!

    As the summer holidays come to a close, we want to take a moment to shine a huge spotlight on the truly outstanding team here at MAIN.

    Over the past six weeks, our dedicated staff have supported nearly 700 children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – including those who are autistic, neurodiverse, have learning disabilities and/or complex needs. This incredible work took place across our two main sites: the Finlay Cooper Centre and our Guisborough base.

    Whether it was delivering structured play, engaging in sensory activities, supporting social interaction, or just being a calm and caring presence, our team have gone above and beyond every single day. The energy, compassion, and creativity they’ve poured into our summer provision has made a real difference for so many children and families.

    From all of us at MAIN – thank you.
    You’ve not only provided a safe, supportive environment for hundreds of children to thrive, but you’ve also helped create joyful summer memories for families who often find this time of year incredibly challenging.

    We’re incredibly proud of everything our team stands for, and everything they’ve achieved this summer.

    Here’s to continuing to support, empower and uplift our community.  #TogetherRaisingSmiles

    #TeamMAIN #ThankYou #SENDsupport #AutismAwareness #Neurodiversity #MAINcharity #InclusionMatters

    VE Day Celebrations 1945 – 2025

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    MAIN had a fantastic turnout to celebrate the heroic men and women who fought valiantly for our futures, we welcomed our neighbours from Pennyman House and Elizabeth House and many of our local community, all coming together to say thank you and to mark the 80th Anniversary of the end of WWII; in one of the pictures there are names highlighted our blackboard, they represent all of the veterans who lived in North Ormesby and who lost their lives, fighting for our freedom.

     

     

    Pancake day finished product

    Spotlight: Aaron

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    Pancake Day at the Pathway to Independence Centre

    Aaron had an amazing Pancake Day at the Pathway to Independence Centre! He started by buying all the necessary ingredients from the shop. Once back, he washed his hands thoroughly to get ready for the fun.

    Aaron made the pancake mixture all by himself, showing great independence. He was very careful while cooking the pancakes in the pan. When it came time to flip them, he exclaimed “hoopla!” with excitement.

    For decoration, Aaron chose chocolate spread and sprinkles, making his pancakes look as good as they tasted. After enjoying his delicious creation, he described them as “very yummy” and “delicious.”

    To wrap up his Pancake Day, Aaron took responsibility for cleaning up. He washed all the pots, cleaned the worktops, and even mopped the floor, ensuring the kitchen was spotless.

    Great job, Aaron!

    Pancake day cooking pancakesPancake day toppings Pancake day finished product  Pancake Day- washing up Pancake day- cleaning up

    If you would like to learn more about our PA Support Services please contact us here

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    Join us for our Grand Opening

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    Join us for our Grand Opening

    Join Us for the Grand Opening of the Pathway to Independence Centre!

    We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our Pathway to Independence Centre on 14th February 2025. This special day marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we would love for you to be a part of it.

    We warmly invite all families, clients, professionals, and supporters to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion. The event will feature inspiring speeches, delightful refreshments, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

    Event Details:

    • Date: 14th February 2025
    • Time: 10am
    • Location: MAIN, The Finlay Cooper Centre, Elizabeth Terrace, North Ormesby, TS3 6EN

    Come and be a part of this wonderful celebration. Your presence will make the day even more special as we embark on this new chapter together.

    We look forward to seeing you there!

    main event poster

    Please email to book on at mainadminsupport@iammain.org.uk