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Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer blog space

A space where Hertfordshire's SEND Community can share their experiences and what matters to them

James Aston blog image 600x400pxExpert by Experience - bringing a new perspective to services  (6 min read)

James Aston joined the council as a Business Support Officer in 2019 and then in 2020 moved to the Transforming Care Team as an Expert by Experience.  In this blog, he tells us about the projects he's been working on, and how his lived experience is helping to improve services for neurodivergent young people in Hertfordshire.

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Guest blog:  Marcus's health walk experience (4 min read)

Marcus is a Supported Intern currently working with the Local Offer team. We recently asked him to find out more about the Hertfordshire Health Walks and to share his experience by writing a blog.
In the blog, the Hertfordshire Health Walks team share their perspective too, on how the walks can benefit parents and young people alike.

Freddie Botha, Expert by Experience

Guest blog: The disabilities you don't see, but live with everyday, by Freddie (4 min read)

Expert by Experience Freddie Botha, shares his journey with hidden disabilities and how he uses his voice to advocate for others. He encourages young people to take part in the SEND Takeover 2025 by sharing creative content that promotes inclusion for those with non-visible disabilities.

Group photo of inclusive united members in sports session

Guest blog: Making sport truly inclusive (5 min read)

In this guest blog, Inclusive United tell us how they are levelling up opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities or additional needs with their fun and inclusive activities. 

JBM blog image 600x400Guest blog: Just Being Me - creating inclusive events (5 min read) 

At Just Being Me events they believe in the power of community, belonging, and celebration. Founded by sisters Rina and Gabi, their mission is simple: to create fun inclusive spaces where individuals with disabilities and their families can enjoy meaningful social experiences - free from judgement or barriers. 

Louis blog June 2025 600x400My Supported Internship at Hertfordshire County Council, by Louis

In this blog, our Supported Intern, Louis, shares his experience of working with the Local Offer team at Hertfordshire County Council. 

Blog image for the NHM guest blog April 25Guest blog: Natural History Museum - making museums fun for everyone

In this guest blog, we hear from the Natural History Museum in Tring about the different ways they are making the museum a fun and inclusive experience for everyone. 

Photos of the 5 new experts by experienceWelcome to our 5 new Experts by Experience

Following a tough recruitment process with a high number of applicants, we're pleased to announce that we've increased the number of Experts by Experience from 4 to 8.  A warm welcome to our new Experts - Callum, Freddie, Emma, Timi and Will. 

My Experience with Autism Hertfordshire (4 min read)

Our Supported Intern, Louis (21), attends Autism Hertfordshire and is a big fan of what they do. He wanted to share the value and enjoyment he gets from the group, and encourage other young people to attend, too.

12 Dec Panto blog My 2024 Panto experience (4 minute read)

Louis, our Supported Intern, provides some festive joy with his account of the North Herts College trip to the Pantomime in Stevenage.

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Guest blog: Mission EmployAble - training for young adults with learning disabilities (5 minute read).

A café serving delicious food and with stunning views is the stylish HQ for a unique training programme for young adults with learning disabilities living in Hertfordshire and beyond. Mission EmployAble offers supported internships from its training centre within the very popular Café On The Common in Chorleywood.

30 April 2 young people talking and looking at a screen 600x400

Guest blog: coping with school when you're autistic (7 minute read)

In this guest blog, 19 year old Hana Kinney shares her experience of being in a mainstream secondary school as an autistic young person, and offers advice and strategies to help other children and young people get the most out of school.

Button-Blog-Illustration-SOFG-thankyouSaying thank you to our SEND Online Feedback Group (7 minute read).

It's really important to us that families who use the Local Offer website can have their say in what goes on it.  In this blog, you can read about the difference our SEND Online Feedback Group have made to the site, and you can sign up to join in!

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Blog: Talking about behaviour (5 min read) 

In our latest blog, we discuss what we learnt from one really important and enlightening discussion with a parent - about the sensitivities on the topic of behaviour, as well as about the language we use and the effect it can have on our readers.

Button-Blog-Early Adventurers


Guest blog: Family Centres - helping children as early as possible with Early Adventurers (5 min read)

The Family Support Service have developed a new way to ensure that young children get support as early as possible, even when their needs might just be emerging. In this guest blog, they tell us about the new Early Adventurers group running at Family Centres across Hertfordshire.

29-Apr-YCH-blog-600x400Guest blog: SFYP - Moving on from school (3 min read)

Whether you're headed to college, or university, or if you haven't yet decided what the future looks like, Services for Young People have some useful tips for anyone making their next steps after school.

Button-Blog-Illustration9Apr600x400Guest blog: Experts by Experience social media takeover (2 min read)

Find out what happened when our Experts by Experience, Georgia and Chloe, took over our Local Offer social media channels for a week.

23 Feb SEND Champion blogGuest blog: SEND Champions in Family Centres (2 min read)

SEND Champions understand the challenge families can face when trying to find information and support. They are here to lend an ear and give advice and guidance.



August's blog cover imageStudy Plus (4 min read)

Find out from past graduates how enrolling on to a Study Plus course could help give you the freedom and tools you need to make decisions about your future.

Page was last updated on: 08/12/2025 11:47:18