Last updated: 29 December 2023

Next review: 29 December 2024

Creative activities

Music, dance, and drama

Mbilla Arts

Traditional African drumming and dance, Afro-Brazilian drumming and dance, Afrobeat aerobics, African storytelling, drama improvisation, spoken word poetry, and more. 

Mbilla Arts: what we do

RAW- Academy

RAW offers weekly drama, singing, and movement workshops for 5+ years.

Highams Park: Raw Academy

1Note2Notes Music Academy

Music tailored for all needs

Find out more about Note2Notes music tuition

Whale Song Music Therapy

Psychological therapy uses music improvisation, songs, and activities to achieve social, emotional, and physical outcomes. No training is necessary. Email: whalesongcic@gmail.com or ring Elen on 07557538956 or Ffion on 07495996327.

Check the Whale Song Music Therapy website for more information.

Dance 21, Down’s Syndrome

A dance and movement group for children and young people with Down’s syndrome and their siblings. Nearest venue to Waltham Forest is in Woodford Green.

Downs Syndrome.org support groups Dance 21 Essex

DashDot Dance 

DashDotDance provides dance workshops and training opportunities for ages 2 to 12! Come and join our accessible sessions for disabled and non-disabled dancers

See the Dash Dot Dance page on Facebook

Zinc Arts

An inclusive community centre, with a theatre and cafe. Activities for people with SEND include art clubs, drama classes, holiday clubs, Friendship and Social Club, movie nights, exercise classes.

Visit the Zinc Arts website

Key Club

Produced and devised by Turtle Key Arts, Key Club is an arts club for people from 16 to 30 years old with Autism Spectrum conditions.

Visit the Turtle Key Arts: Key Club website.

Spectrum Youth Theatre

Spectrum Youth Theatre is a puppet youth theatre for young people with Asperger’s or autism, run by Little Angel Theatre.

Visit the Little Angel Theatre: Spectrum Youth Theatre website for more information.

Arts and crafts (Arts classes)

Gnome House

This community arts centre in Walthamstow offers art classes for kids and is home to the award-winning Inky Cuttlefish printmaking workshop. 

Visit the Gnome House Facebook page for more information.

Barkingside Art Club

Barkingside Art Club was built on the principle that inclusion and accessibility in art can bring communities together. 

Find out more on the Barkingside Art Club: SEN hour website.

SEND Girls Creative Social Club 

Every Friday, from 5 to 7pm, Barkingside hosts a workshop specifically for girls with SEND conditions, including Autism, and other learning and physical difficulties. 

Visit the Barkingside Art Club: SEND girls creative social club website page for more information.

Joy of Sound

Joy of sound volunteers bring people together as co-creators to enjoy music and arts, and enjoy the many benefits of these activities.

Visit the Joy Of Sound website.

Shape Arts

Shape Arts is a disability-led arts organisation. It provides opportunities for disabled artists, and trains cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people.

Visit the Shape Arts website.

Disability Arts Online

Disabled-led arts organisation which aims to share disability arts with the world.

Find out more on the Disability Arts Online - Sharing Disability Arts & Culture website.