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Activities and clubs for young adults

The Hertfordshire SEND Directory

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Community Activities Directory promotes a wide range of community activities for young people with SEND.

Visit the Hertfordshire SEND Community Directory

Activities, clubs and things to do

Take the time to research your local area and look into sports centres and clubs. There's more available out there than we can fit onto a page. But these options may be a good place to start your search.

Paying for activities

The costs of the activities will vary a lot but you may be able to use Direct payments or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to access some of the activities and clubs below.  You can talk to your social worker about this if you're unsure.

Services, clubs and organisations

Here are just a few of the different activites, clubs and organisations going on around Hertfordshire for young adults with SEND.  If you know of others you think should be listed here, please get in touch at localoffer@hertfordshire.gov.uk. 

The Purple All Stars 

Districts: St Albans 

For: Adults with learning disabilities

Cost: £5

Purple All Stars are a group of people with learning disabilities who have a passion for performance and for helping people learn how to look after their health.  Kate Harding leads the Purple All Star groups across Hertfordshire.  (** there is currently a waiting list to join this group)

Activities include: 

  • Dance
  • Creative expression
  • Theatre and performance

Web: The Purple All Stars
Email:  kate.harding@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Tel: 01438 845 372
Facebook:  Purple All Stars Facebook

The Inclusion Project

Districts: Countywide

For: People with learning disabilities and neurodiverse people aged 18+
Open: 7 days a week
Cost: enquire with organisation. Can be paid through Direct Payments

Activities include: 

  • Sports and exercise
  • Day trips 
  • Craft and art activities

Web:  The Inclusion Project
Email:  simon@inclusionproject.co.uk
Tel:  07526 243 571
Facebook:  The Inclusion Project

 

Hertsmere Mencap 

District:  Hertsmere

For:  Adults with learning disabilities 
Open: Monday - Friday, various times
Cost: £5 per session

Activities include

  • Arts and crafts
  • Dance and music activities
  • Youth club (16-26 year olds)

Web: Hertsmere Mencap
Email: activities@hertsmeremencap.org.uk
Tel: 07861 891706
Facebook:  Hertsmere Mencap Facebook

 

Watford Mencap

District: Watford and surrounding areas

For:  Adults with learning disabilities 
Open: Monday - Friday, various times
Cost: 

Activities include: 

Web: Watford Mencap
Email: admin@watfordmencap.org.uk 
Tel: 01923 713620
Facebook:  Watford Mencap Facebook

Special Olympics St Albans

Districts: St Albans and surrounding areas

For: Ages 8+ with learning disabilities
Open: Various days and times depending on the activity
Cost: contact organisation to enquire

Special Olympics St Albans (SOSA) is a charity that provides sports training for people of 8 years and upwards who have intellectual (learning) disabilities. SOSA caters for all levels and abilities, from those who have not tried any sport previously, to those who want to compete at a local, national or ultimately international level.

Activities include: 

  • Athletics
  • Boccia
  • Swimming
  • Netball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Judo
  • Trampolining
  • Gymnastics and dance

Web: Special Olympics St Albans
Email: daniellewhite@everyoneactive.com

OASIS (Hertford) and OASIS2 (Buntingford)

Districts: Hertford and Buntingford

For: Young adults who have learning/physical disabilites (aged 16+)

Open: Monday - Friday 10am - 3pm

Cost: contact organisation to enquire

Oasis and Oasis2 offer daycare facilities and are open 50 weeks of the year.  They provide opportunities for young adults to improve their independent skills, learn about life, make new friends and form good relationships.  All activities take place in a peaceful and safe environment. They welcome visits at any time. 

Web: Oasis Academy website
Email: ailsa@oasisacademy.co.uk
Tel: 07902 243352
Facebook: Oasis facebook page

 

Herts Disability Sports Foundation

Districts: Countywide

For: Young people and adults who have learning/physical disabilites 

Open: Various sessions throughout the week

Cost: contact organisation to enquire

Herts Disability Sports Foundation (HDSF) is a charity  working to support adults and children in Hertfordshire with physical and/or learning disabilities to participate in recreational sporting activities. 

Activities include: 

  • Bell boating and paddle boarding
  • Cycling (including adapted cycling)
  • Fitness
  • Boxercise

Web: Find an Activity - Herts Disability
Email: ros@hertsdisabilitysportsfoundation.com
Tel: 01462 542498
Facebook: HDSF Facebook

 

Electric Umbrella - inclusive music, Watford and Hemel

Districts: Watford, Hemel Hempstead + online sessions

For: learning disabled and neurodivergent people aged 16+

When: different sessions throughout the week

Cost: depends on session, some are free

Activities include: 

  • Online singalongs
  • 'Face the music' in person sessions
  • Big yellow choir

Electric Umbrella is a vibrant community dedicated to empowering learning disabled and neurodivergent people through creativity and connection. 

Web:  Home - Electric Umbrella
Email: info@electricumbrella.org.uk
Facebook: Electric Umbrella Facebook

 Phoenix Plus - for deaf young adults

Districts: Across Hertfordshire

For: Deaf young people aged 17-30
Cost: variable depending on activity

Activities include: 

  • social activities and meet-ups
  • days out

Web: Phoenix group website
Email: activities@phoenixgroup.org.uk
Tel: 01438 729461
Facebook: Phoenix Group Facebook Page

 

 Mudlarks, Hertford

District:  Hertford

For: Adults with learning disabilties (age 18+) and mental health concerns
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 2pm
Cost: Depends on activity. Some are free

Some of the activities:

  • Gardening therapy
  • Cafe training
  • Growing vegetables
  • Exploring the natural environment

 Web: Mudlarks Garden
Email:  admin@mudlarksgarden.org.uk
Tel: 01992 537080
Facebook: Mudlarks facebook

 

Services for Young People youth projects

District: Countywide

For: Young people aged 13-25 with SEND
Open: various sessions throughout the week
Cost: Free

Activities include: 

  • Work projects focussed on helping young adults to develop independent living and life skills
  • support with emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, staying safe, nutrition and cooking, and managing money
  • Duke of Edinburgh's award groups

Web:  Support for young people with SEND
Email:  sfyp.SEND@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Tel: 01438 844999
Facebook:  SfYP facebook

Autism Hertfordshire

District: Countywide

For: Autistic young people and adults aged 16-25 
Open: various sessions throughout the week, daytime and evening
Cost: Free (or the cost of the activity)

Autism Hertfordshire offers support to adults both pre-and post-diagnosis through a range of interventions including group work, skills training and development and 1:1 support.  It also offers a 'transitions' group for young adults aged 16-25.

Activities include: 

  •  Online 'transition' workshops for young people aged 16-25 
  • Social groups including nights out and walking groups
  • Skills development
  • Post-diagnostic support

Web:  Support for Adults in Hertfordshire
Email:  enquiries@autismherts.org
Tel: 01727 743246
Facebook:  Autism Hertfordshire Facebook

Passport to Leisure, St Albans

Districts: St Albans and surrounding area

For: Adults aged 18+ with a learning disability

When: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, weekends and some evenings

Cost: Depends on the activity/trip

Passport to Leisure in St Albans supports adults with learning disabilities by providing access to leisure and sporting activities. It aims to promote community integration, fun, and independence through a variety of events and activities. The program is run by a coordinator and volunteers 

Activities include: 

  • cookery courses
  • art workshops
  • days out and trips to the theatre
  • personal development courses

Web: Passport to Leisure - St Albans City and District Council
Email:  salpi@everyoneactive.com
Tel: 07762 595936
Facebook:  Passport to Leisure | Facebook (private group - you will need to request to join)

The Daylight Club, St Albans

Districts: St Albans and surrounding area

For: Aged 18+ with disabilities

When: Every Wednesday 10.30am - 3pm

Cost: £10 a day

The Daylight Club provides day opportunities for adults 18+ with disabilities living in the St Albans district. The members meet once a week in a safe and supportive environment where they learn life skills, make new friends, try new experiences, engage in a variety of interesting workshops and most importantly have fun.

Activities include: 

  • morning fitness sessions
  • afternoon workshops including dance, drama, art, music
  • day trips

Web: The Daylight Club | Communities 1st
Email:  salpi@everyoneactive.com
Tel: 07762 595936
Facebook: Daylight club Facebook  

Sunnyside Rural Trust, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted

Districts: Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Northchurch

For: Young people and adults with learning disabilities

When: Every day 9am -3pm

Cost: contact organisation to enquire

Sunnyside Rural Trust supports adults with learning disabilities to discover their brilliance and empower them to be independent.  We provide training in various rural and retail activities, focussing on an individual's strengths. Our approach encourages personal growth at a pace that is comfortable for each person. 

Activities include: 

  • gardening
  • growing produce
  • looking after farm animals
  • working in hospitality 
  • crafts and cookery

And lots more!

Web:  Home - Sunnyside Rural Trust
Email:  lynn@sunnysideruraltrust.org.uk
Tel: 07432 516969
Facebook: Sunnyside Rural Trust Facebook

Inclusive United, Hemel Hempstead and Hatfield

Districts: Hemel Hempstead  and Hatfield

For: Young adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities or additional needs

When: various  

Cost: £5 a session

Activities include: 

  • inclusive football and futsal
  • multisports
  • yoga
  • employability sessions

Web:  Inclusive United | Inclusive Sports
Email:  tracy@inclusiveunited.co.uk
Tel:  07746 155110
Facebook:  Facebook - Inclusive United

Online communities

The internet can be a great place to connect with others, for things like playing games, sending messages, making friends, and looking up information.

Scope's Online Community a supportive space for disabled people, parents and carers to get disability advice and information, and talk to people with similar experiences.

DSEngage offers a wide range of free online activity sessions, ranging from discos and exercise sessions through to art and craft and gardening activities. The programme is for anyone who has Down’s syndrome regardless of age or level of physical ability.

Tips for using the internet safely

Tips for safe internet use for young people: 

  • be careful about who you chat to, as you never really know who you are talking to online
  • be careful about sharing information about yourselves online or sending photos
  • keep passwords and bank details a secret - no one should be asking for this information in an email for example. This is called a scam.
  • If someone or something you have seen makes you feel scared or uncomfortable online, tell someone you trust immediately - such as a teacher, parent/carer, or trusted adult.

Page was last updated on: 26/06/2025 17:23:49