Leo's

Leo's supports the well-being of families who require neonatal care in the North East of England. Our focus is on improving mental health of the entire family from birth, until they no longer need Leo's. We do this by offering community support work to reduce social isolation, we have dedicated peer support, a counselling service, vCreate and heartbeat bears. Also founder of Neonatal MH Week.

Level 3 Early Years Qualified

Level 3 Forest School Leader trained

<h2>Welcome to our Forest School! 🌲</h2>Ever wondered what a Neonatal Forest School actually looks like? You’ve come to the right place. The idea for this group grew from the lived experience of our peer mentor, Katie. After her own son’s neonatal journey, Katie transitioned from her career in early years education to join the Leo’s team. Combining her professional background in Forest Schools with a deep understanding of how NICU stays impact early development, she designed this program specifically for our "neonatal graduates." <h3>Why Forest School?</h3>While it looks like simple outdoor play, there is a wealth of benefit hidden in the trees:<ul><li>For Parents: It’s a peaceful, open-air space to connect with others who truly "get it." No explanations needed - just community and fresh air.</li><li>For Children: The natural world is the ultimate sensory classroom. We focus on nurturing development through exploration while helping little ones build confidence and social skills at their own pace.</li></ul> <h3>What to Expect</h3>Each session brings a fresh new theme, ensuring there is always something new to discover.<ul><li>All Ages Welcome: While some structured activities are geared toward children over one year old, the sights, sounds, and textures of the woodland offer plenty of magic for even our youngest babies.</li><li>The Adventure: Some weeks we stay settled in our base camp; other weeks we head out for a woodland wander.</li></ul><blockquote>A Note on Accessibility: The gate to our main woodland path is a bit narrow, which can make double buggies/wider wheelchairs a challenge. If you are coming with a double buggy/wide wheelchair, please let Katie know in advance! We will happily adapt the session to ensure you can join in comfortably.</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><h3>Join Us</h3>This is a wonderful opportunity for neonatal families to thrive outdoors. We can't wait to see you under the canopy!Questions? Feel free to reach out to Katie at katie@leosneonatal.org.

Forest Cubs neonatal Forest School Age 0-5years

Errington Woods

Thank you for booking our Sensory session at Senses Wellbeing Center in Skelton. As always, please be mindful, if your little one, you or anyone in your household has been unwell please do not attend your session, and where possible give us 24 hours notice so we can offer the space to another family.

Join us for a lovely family Sensory session at Senses Wellbeing Center in Skelton.Senses provides a rich, calming and fun filled environment for our children to explore while parents can relax.Senses Wellbeing Centre has welcoming reception, with seating area and breastfeeding station and two toilets. The separate disabled toilet has a mobile hoist, adult changing table and baby changing facility.Please book&nbsp;one ticket per child attending.As always, please be mindful, if your little one, you or anyone in your household has been unwell please do not attend your session, and where possible give us 24 hours notice so we can offer the space to another family.

Family Sensory Play at Senses Wellbeing (neonatal families) 

Join us for a lovely family Sensory session at Senses Wellbeing Center in Skelton.Senses provides a rich, calming and fun filled environment for our children to explore while parents can relax.Senses Wellbeing Centre has welcoming reception, with seating area and breastfeeding station and two toilets. The separate disabled toilet has a mobile hoist, adult changing table and baby changing facility.Please book&nbsp;one ticket per person attending (adults and children).As always, please be mindful, if your little one, you or anyone in your household has been unwell please do not attend your session, and where possible give us 24 hours notice so we can offer the space to another family.

Senses CIC

Name Of NICU Baby/Child

Date of Birth (Baby/Child)

Which Neonatal Unit did your baby/child stay on?

Does your baby/child have any additional medical requirements we need to be aware of? (Disability/Medical equipment/allergy etc)

Have you accessed support through Leo's?

Are you interested in accessing extra support from Leo's? (peer support/home based support)

Who else will be attending? Please give names and any children's dob

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the return of our wonderful swim sessions! This has been made possible thanks to the generous funding we received from The Teesside Family Foundation at their Together for Teesside event. At Leo’s, we know that a neonatal stay is a journey that affects the whole family. That’s why these exclusive sessions are designed to offer a safe, warm, and supportive environment for everyone. Unlike many standard pools, this venue is lovely, clean, and beautifully warm - making it absolutely perfect for our neonatal families. Booking Information: Because we know just how popular these sessions are, we want to ensure families who haven’t had the opportunity to attend before get a chance to join us. To book, we ask that you meet one of the following criteria:<ul><li>You have had a baby in neonatal care within the last 3 years, OR</li><li>You have accessed support through Leo’s within the last 2 years.</li></ul> IMPORTANT BOOKING DETAILS: Please ensure you have added details for each person attending. Then, be sure to click 'Book' once you have completed the form, and wait to see the final confirmation page to ensure your spaces are saved. As always, please be mindful, if your little one, you or anyone in your household has been unwell please do not attend your session, and where possible give us 24 hours notice so we can offer the space to another family. Medical &amp; Safety Information If your child requires medical equipment (such as oxygen or an NG tube), they are absolutely welcome to attend! We just kindly ask that you check with their medical team before booking. Any children with Oxygen will require an extension tube (This is usually green) Staff have experience supporting babies with oxygen in the pool and will be on hand to help if needed. Pool Hygiene &amp; NappiesThe Fish Tank pool operates a strict 'Happy Nappy' policy. Any babies or children who wear nappies must wear a 'Happy Nappy' under their swimsuit. You can purchase these online beforehand or directly at the pool on the day. 📬 Questions? If you have any queries at all, please feel free to email Katie at katie@leosneonatal.org.

The Fish Tank

Please give names and ages of everyone who will be attending with you

Please let us know if any attendees have specific requirements we should be aware of (e.g., disabilities, medical equipment, allergies, or accessibility needs) so we can ensure you have a comfortable visit.

🐷 Leo's Neonatal Days Out are back! 🚜 Join the team at Newham Grange Farm on Monday, 3rd August for a special family day out.This session is dedicated to neonatal babies, children, and their families. It’s a wonderful opportunity to create beautiful memories outside of the neonatal unit and connect with other families who truly understand your journey. Whether you want to stick close to the team for a chat or explore the farm together as a family, the day is entirely yours to enjoy! How to book:<ul><li>When you first click to book, you’ll just need to enter your initial contact details.</li><li>On the second part of the form, please list the names and ages of everyone attending so we can secure tickets for your whole family.</li></ul> A gentle reminder: If your little one, you, or anyone in your household has been unwell, please stay home to keep everyone safe. Where possible, kindly give us 24 hours' notice so we can offer the spot to another family. We can't wait to see you there!

Newham Grange Farm (Free day out for neonatal families)

Newham Grange Farm

Join us every other Wednesday for our Neonatal S﻿upport Group — a relaxed, caring space where little ones can play, explore, and learn, while parents and caregivers connect, share stories, and support one another. Our group is led by Tammy, a peer mentor who truly understands the journey of life after the NICU and caring for a child with SEN. Whether you’re coming for a friendly chat, a play session, or simply a listening ear, you’ll find understanding, and community here. Book your spot today — we can’t wait to welcome you and your little one!

Neonatal Support Group Stay and Play - Funded by Children In Need.

West Middlesbrough Family Hub

Who will be attending the session (give names of all attending and ages of any children)

Please let us know if any attendees have specific requirements we should be aware of (e.g., disabilities, medical equipment, allergies, or accessibility needs) so we can ensure you have a comfortable visit. 

We are absolutely over the moon to invite local neonatal families to a truly special session designed just for you.Every neonatal journey is a story of immense strength, love, and resilience. At Leo’s, we wanted to create a beautiful moment to honor your family’s unique path, and we think we have found the perfect way to do it. We would love to welcome you to Cloud 9 Play Cafe in Guisborough for a 45-minute play session. While your little one explores, the amazingly talented Leela will be there to create a live illustration, either a beautiful painting of you and your little one together, or your little one on their own as a timeless keepsake of how far they’ve come. <h3>Event Details &amp; Availability</h3>To keep the environment peaceful and intimate, we are hosting two 45-minute sessions with just 4 families per slot:<ul><li>Session 1: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM</li><li>Session 2: 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM</li><li> </li></ul><h3>Who Can Join Us?</h3>This session is fully funded and open to you if:<ul><li>Your baby or child received neonatal care within the last 3 years, OR</li><li>You have accessed support through Leo's within the last 2 years.</li></ul> <h3>A Gentle Note on Health &amp; Cancellations</h3>Because our little ones have had such delicate starts, the safety of the whole group is our top priority. If your little one, you, or anyone in your household has been feeling unwell, we gently ask that you stay home to rest.If you do need to cancel, please give us 24 hours' notice when possible. Because these slots are fully funded by Leo's, we still pay for every space, giving us notice allows us to wrap our arms around another family and offer the magical experience to them. We truly cannot wait to welcome you, see how much your little ones have grown, and celebrate your beautiful journey together.

Cloud Nine Play Cafe

Join us for a lovely neonatal family session at Pendragon in Northallerton. A favourite place of ours here at Leo's, it provides a rich, calming (or fun-filled if you dare go down the slide!) environment for our children to explore while parents can relax.There's parking outside the building and an on-site cafe with tasty treats if you fancy a cuppa and a cake! Please let us know how many of you will be attending as the room has a capacity of 14. As always, please be mindful, if your little one, you or anyone in your household has been unwell please do not attend your session, and where possible give us 24 hours notice so we can offer the space to another family.If you do not give 24 hours notice (exceptional circumstances excluded e.g. hospital admissions) and do not turn up to your play slot, you will be invoiced the full amount which the charity would have paid for you.We hate to do this but have lost so much money in the past from people not attending sessions and we simply can't keep funding, or losing grant money on empty spaces. Please cancel your space by emailing katie@leosneonatal.org 24 hours prior to the group session.

Pendragon Sensory Session (neonatal families)

Pendragon Sensory,

Family Sensory Play at Senses Wellbeing (neonatal families)  

Leo's

Forest Cubs neonatal Forest School Age 0-5years

Family Sensory Play at Senses Wellbeing (neonatal families)

Neonatal Swimming at The Fish Tank

Newham Grange Farm (Free day out for neonatal families)

Neonatal Support Group Stay and Play - Funded by Children In Need.

The Neonatal Portrait Project (Slot 1)

The Neonatal Portrait Project (Slot 2)

Pendragon Sensory Session (neonatal families)

Family Sensory Play at Senses Wellbeing (neonatal families)

Pendragon Sensory Session (neonatal families)

Family Sensory Play at Senses Wellbeing (neonatal families)

Family Sensory Play at Senses Wellbeing (neonatal families)