Educational Transitions

Moving on to further education (e.g. college) or higher education (e.g. university) can be very exciting but it can also be a big change from life at school or college. It is normal to feel a mixture of emotions, from worried to excited. Knowing what to expect, or not to expect, and where you can find support can help to make this time a little easier. Most colleges and universities offer some sort of support including disability, mental health and wellbeing support, and some universities may also offer financial support.

You can find useful information to help you understand and prepare for the move to college by clicking here to visit the YoungMinds website. You can also find lots of information to help you understand the move to university and university life at the Student Minds website by clicking here, their resources section is particularly helpful.

You can also find lots of useful links and information to help you understand and prepare for your own educational transitions, or information to help you support your own child or a young person you are supporting, by using our resource section below.

Educational Transitions resources

The Educational Transitions resource hub features a selection of articles, apps, tools, services and more.

Useful Links

Finding Support at University

Many people struggle with their wellbeing the first time they go to college so being aware of where support is available is important in case...

Making new friends during educational transitions

It can be difficult to make friends with like-minded people at first. But there are usually lots of opportunities for you to work with or...

Self-Care

When life feels like too much, taking time for yourself can help you to feel grounded. Self-care helps you to take a step back and...

YoungMinds Blog: University: A fresher's survival guide

Starting University? The YoungMinds blog shares tips on managing money and workloads and finding a balance. Click here to read the blog post.

YoungMinds Blog: Looking after your mental health while moving

When starting university, a lot of people move away from home for the first time. Moving house can be really stressful and the YoungMinds blog...

YoungMinds Blog: Tips for navigating life as a first-year university student

Starting university and navigating your first year can be difficult, especially if you’ve moved away from home. The YoungMinds blog shares top tips for helping...

Educational Transitions Services

7 Dimensions Wellness CIC

7 Dimensions create opportunities for conversation, friendship and peer support, through Hatha Yoga, Aerial Yoga, QiGong, Women’s Circles, Aerial Yoga for Autistic children, relaxation and…

Closed today

Sunderland SENDIASS

Sunderland Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, statutory service which offers information, advice and support for Parents…

Daisy Chain

Daisy Chain is an award-winning charity supporting Autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults and their families. Support includes: For Children and Young People…

Closed now: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

The Sensory Place

The Sensory Place is a parent-led organisation offering a network of support to families of children with all disabilities aged 0-18 years. We are all…

Adult Autism Diagnostic Services – Specialist Diagnostic Service

The Adult Autism Diagnostic Services are co-ordinated from Keegan Court, Grassbanks, Gateshead. The service is provided by appropriately qualified existing practitioners within the Trust drawn…

Closed today

Your Voice Counts

Your Voice Counts is a charity that works across the North East to provide support to people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people who are…

Closed today

The Kayaks

The Kayaks (Kids And Young Adult’s Klub-Special needs support group) Established in 2010, we became a Registered Charity in 2014. We provide a safe space…

Closed now: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Grace House

We provide a range of support for parents, carers and siblings of children with disabilities. We offer free holistic therapies, counselling and access to support…

Closed today

Awesometisitic CIC

Although awareness of Autism has increased over the last few years, much of this insight has been provided by those who have learnt about Autism…

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company run Platform Theatre – a funded drama programme for people with learning disabilities and autism in Sunderland. Spaces are currently…

AutismAble

We’re AutismAble, a Community Interest Company with bases in South Shields, North Shields and Sunderland. It’s our mission to enable, empower and enrich lives. We…

Closed today

Project Choice

Project Choice is a specialist College providing tailored educational support, and a supported internship course for young adults aged 16-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and/ or Autism.…

Closed today

Useful Links

How to talk to your child about mental health

Giving our children and young people opportunities to open up is one of the biggest things we can do as parents and carers to support...

Encouraging healthy routines, time management and self-care

Exercise, fresh air, sleep and vegetables aren’t typically top fresher priorities, but it’s still worth championing good habits. Encourage your child to identify things they...

YoungMinds Parent Helpline

YoungMinds offer tailored information, advice and support to parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person’s mental health. You can speak...

Helping your child manage the transition to university

Hundreds of thousands of young people start university each year, and will begin facing new studies, places and people, often moving away from home too....

YoungMinds: Supporting School Transitions

YoungMinds have collated resources to help pupils, schools, parents and carers to cope with the changes and transitions they experience during their time at school....

Educational Transitions Services