by Shannon Sutton | Mar 31, 2026 | News
???? Our brand new Harry Smith April poster is here! ????
Be sure to check it out when you’re next in ????
Just a quick reminder that we will be closed this Friday for the bank holiday.
We’ll see you all the week after — have a great long weekend! ????
#HarrySmith #AprilPoster #NewPoster #WhatsOn #LocalEvents #BankHoliday #LongWeekend #SeeYouSoon #CommunityVibes

by Shannon Sutton | Mar 10, 2026 | News
We’re excited to launch our 5-week Monday evening programme at Gateway, designed to provide a calm, inclusive and welcoming space for neurodivergent young people.

Every Monday from 2nd March (5 weeks)

5:30pm – 7:30pm

Gateway (Main Site)

£5 per session – book all 5 sessions and get £5 off!
Each week, young people can pick and choose which activity they’d like to take part in, with options including:

TAG Night (15+)

Gateway Stars (11+)

Dungeons & Dragons (All Ages)
We also offer:

A calm, inclusive environment

Experienced facilitators

Breakout spaces available for anyone who needs a quiet moment

A parent peer-to-peer support session running alongside the activities
by Shannon Sutton | Mar 10, 2026 | News
Join us for our next Co-Production Network meeting where we’ll be discussing:

What’s coming up for the network over the next 12 months

Ideas for a proposal for a Neurodivergent Network

An update on the Autism Strategy from Adult Social Care
This is your opportunity to share your voice, ideas and experiences to help shape future plans. We’d love to see you there!
Please share with anyone who may be interested

by Shannon Sutton | Mar 10, 2026 | News

What’s Coming Up This Week at Gateway


Weekly Activity Sessions
Our activity sessions run weekly and are a great way to:

Meet new people

Try different activities

Build confidence and independence

Have fun in a relaxed, supportive environment

Autism & Neurodivergent Youth Activities – Starting 2nd March!
We’re excited to launch our 5-week Monday evening programme, designed to provide a calm, inclusive and welcoming space for neurodivergent young people.

Every Monday from 2nd March (5 weeks)

5:30pm – 7:30pm

Gateway (Main Site)

£5 per session – book all 5 sessions and get £5 off!
Each week, young people can pick and choose which activity they’d like to take part in:

TAG Night (15+)

Gateway Stars (11+)

Dungeons & Dragons (All Ages)
We also offer:

A calm, inclusive environment

Experienced facilitators

Breakout spaces available for anyone who needs a quiet moment

A parent peer-to-peer support session running alongside the activities

Friday Night Club
End the week the right way at our Friday Night Club!
A friendly social space to relax, chat, enjoy activities, and spend time with friends — with hot food available


for a small cost.
Whether you’re looking to get more social, try something new, or just enjoy good company, there’s something here for you

by Lee Bradshaw | Feb 26, 2026 | News

Are you looking for a supportive, active, and welcoming environment for an adult with learning disabilities in the Rochdale or Rossendale area? At Rochdale Gateway Leisure, we believe that every individual deserves a life full of purpose, friendship, and fresh air.
Today, we are inviting you behind the scenes of ALPS (Adult Lifestyle Provision Service), our unique day centre tucked away in the beautiful village of Shawforth.
A Rural Retreat with a Community Heart
Established in 1998, ALPS has spent over two decades growing into a vital part of the local community.
Located at Millgate House, 10 Oak Street (OL12 8NU), we are perfectly positioned to offer the best of both worlds: a peaceful, scenic retreat just five miles from the hustle and bustle of Rochdale town centre.
Our philosophy is simple: we provide a “lifestyle,” not just a service. We focus on what people can do, helping our members build confidence through meaningful activities and genuine social North-West hospitality.
Why Choose ALPS? Nature, Skills, and Connection
What sets ALPS apart is our commitment to the outdoors and practical, hands-on learning. We don’t just stay inside; we embrace the stunning Pennine landscape that surrounds us.
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Green Fingers and Fresh Produce: Our members take huge pride in our vegetable patches. During the summer, you will find us planting, weeding, and eventually harvesting our own crops. It is therapeutic, educational, and ends with a delicious reward!
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Adventures in the Spodden Valley: We are regulars at Healey Dell Nature Reserve. Whether it is a brisk walk or a quiet afternoon of fishing, we believe the Great Outdoors is the best classroom for well-being.
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Life Skills and Tasty Treats: Independence is a key value at ALPS. Our cooking and baking sessions are legendary in the village. If you visit us at the right time, you might even get to sample some of our home-baked cakes or biscuits.
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A Hub of Activity: From aromatherapy and relaxation to educational outings across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, our schedule is designed around the specific interests of our group.
Supporting Independence with Dedicated Transport
We understand that getting around can sometimes be a challenge. That is why ALPS maintains three dedicated vehicles. These allow us to provide safe, reliable transport for our members to access everything from local shops to hidden gems across the region, ensuring nobody feels isolated.
Experience the ALPS Atmosphere for Yourself
A website can tell you what we do, but it cannot capture the sound of laughter in our kitchen or the peace of our garden. To truly understand why families have trusted us for over 25 years, you need to experience the atmosphere in person.
We would love to welcome you for a personal tour of our Shawforth centre. Come and meet our friendly staff, chat with our members, and see if ALPS is the right fit for your family.
Contact Us Today:
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Phone: 01706 852007
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Visit: Millgate House, 10 Oak Street, Shawforth, OL12 8NU
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Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

ALPS Shawforth – Millgate House, 10 Oak Street, Shawforth, OL12 8NU
by Shannon Sutton | Feb 25, 2026 | News
You are warmly invited to attend our next Co-Production Network meeting on Saturday 14 March, from 11:00am to 1:00pm.
During this session, we will be focusing on:
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What’s coming up for the network over the next 12 months
-
Developing ideas for a proposal for a Neurodivergent Network
-
An update on the Autism Strategy from Adult Social Care
This will be a great opportunity to hear updates, share your thoughts, and help shape the future direction of the network. We really value your input and hope you can join us.

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