Help & Advice Support Groups Essex Child & Young People Support and Activity Groups Name Description Website Essex Local Offer Provides information about support services and local opportunities for children and young people with SEND. Click here Autism information Hub List of advice and support groups and events for those with Autism in Essex. Click here Autism Innovation Service - Like Minds Essex Like Minds Essex is a platform of meet up groups in Essex for autistic people, and those who identify as neurodivergent. These are opportunities to join a face to face group, or virtual group and meet like-minded people, share interests and become self-advocates. Their Artism group is for people who enjoy expressing themselves through art. Click here Avenues Group Organises sports and leisure activities, day trips ad taster sessions for anyone with physical, sensory and/or learning difficulties Click here Care Farming UK Allows people with a learning disability to learn about the natural world and animal care skills at various farms Click here Connect Without Limits Run two social groups via zoom for young people with Autism or with Autistic traits. They also provide an online buddy support service and range of activities. Click here Essex Activate Holiday Activity and Food programme across Essex to keep children entertained during school holidays via in-person clubs and other resources. Click here Essex Outdoors Delivers a range of high quality outdoor learning programmes at centres across Essex Click here Essex Youth Services Provide a variety of Youth Services including activities, youth groups, community groups, a performing group and adventure opportunities. Click here Families in Focus Activity Clubs Run two activity clubs, providing a range of play activities for SEND children and their siblings (accompanied by their parents or carers). Click here Girl Guiding Provides inclusive Rainbow, Brownie and Guides sessions for young people with additional needs Click here Interact Interact offers support and activity opportunities in Essex. You can visit their website to view upcoming events and find more information on short breaks, overnight stays, and more. Click here PACT A parent-led charity providing support to families who require advice, information and support as well as putting on activities and more Click here Scout Association Provides inclusive Beaver, Cub and Scout sessions for young people with an ASC Click here SEND Sensation Run community clubs and activities to help children and young people to flourish socially, independently, and safely. Specialist staff and facilities to support children and young people with learning disabilities and autism, physical and sensory impairments, and special educational needs and disabilities. Click here Sport for Confidence Provides physical activities and sport sessions for disabled people or those with additional needs. They work collaboratively with sport coaches and have a team of healthcare professionals including Occupational Therapists. Click here Sure Start Childrens Centre Provides a play service for children under the age of 5. Also offers support and advice. Sensory facilities available in some locations Click here Adult Support and Activity Groups Autism information Hub List of advice and support groups and events for those with Autism in Essex. Click here Avenues Group Organises sports and leisure activities, day trips ad taster sessions for anyone with physical, sensory and/or learning difficulties Click here Care Farming UK Allows people with a learning disability to learn about the natural world and animal care skills at various farms Click here Essex Outdoors Delivers a range of high quality outdoor learning programmes at centres across Essex Click here Scout Association Provides inclusive Beaver, Cub and Scout sessions for young people with an ASC Click here Sport for Confidence Provides physical activities and sport sessions for disabled people or those with additional needs. They work collaboratively with sport coaches and have a team of healthcare professionals including Occupational Therapists. Click here Parent/Carer Support and Activity Groups Carers UK Gives expert advice, information and support to carers Click here Essex Carers Network Listens to carers who are caring for a family member with a learning disability Click here Essex Carer’s support Supports informal carers of any age regardless of the nature of the disability Click here Essex Respite Association Provides help for carers who care for people aged 18-70 and would like planned respite Click here Extra Support for Families Offer local opportunities for parents/carers to meet at fun child/parent workshops, informal parent peer support groups. Click here Families in Focus Peer Support Service Side by Side is a new service for Essex based families who care for, or support, a family member (over the age of 18) with a Learning Disability or Autism. Click here Home Start Family groups in Essex Click here Maze Group Run free monthly drop-in sessions, a specialist weekly programme and additional workshops to guide, advise and support families of children with additional needs. They run special educational needs & disability (SEND) parenting groups with regular coffee mornings around Essex, in Colchester, Clacton & Harwich. Click here PACT A parent-led charity providing support to families who require advice, information and support as well as putting on activities and more Click here SAFE SAFE is a parent support group for those affected by Asperger Syndrome and High-functioning Autism in Essex, as well as Southend and Thurrock. Click here SNAP Run a range of workshops aimed at parents of children with difficulties or to help with a specific issue, and parent courses of more than one session, focusing on a specific diagnosis or issue. Click here Manage Cookie Preferences