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Looking for fun activities this summer? We've put together a list of activities and events taking place across Southend-on-Sea and surrounding areas for children and young people with SEND and their families.

From sports and outdoor adventures to arts and crafts, family fun days and more. There are plenty of opportunities to stay active, make new friends and enjoy the summer holidays. Many activities are inclusive, accessible and designed to support a wide range of needs.

If you know of an activity that should be added, please let us know so we can help share it with other families. Email the details of the activity or event: LocalOffer@southend.gov.uk

We hope you have a fun, safe and enjoyable summer.

For information about other things to do across Southend, remember to look at the Visit Southend website.

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Summer holiday activities and events – Livewell Southend

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Tale of the Curious Mechanic. Prof Rachel Pilling (1)

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Trustlinks Forest School ages 0 - 11 years

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Trustlinks Forest School ages 0 - 11 years

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HAF Forest School Summer 2026 for ages 7-11years

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HAF Forest School Summer 2026 for ages 7-11years

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Grant a wish and bring a sparkle

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We are a charity which aims to grant a wish and bring a sparkle into the lives of terminally or seriously ill children in Essex.

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Encouraging ambition, support, opportunities and achievement to the young people of Southend

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Encouraging ambition, support, opportunities and achievement to the young people of Southend.

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ADHD ‘key advice’ session with Steve Challen of ADHD+ Support

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ADHD ‘key advice’ session with Steve Challen of ADHD+ Support

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Steve Challen, ADHD specialist will be joining us on 2nd July from 7-9pm offering SEND advice focusing on "Key Advice". This free event will take place at The MegaCentre on Brook Road.

To register your place please complete the short form below 👇

https://forms.office.com/e/FT2nr5yadp See less

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The Foundation exists to help children and young people with a vision impairment up to the age of 25.

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The Powell Family Foundation - Blind/Vision-Impaired Child Grants

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We provide grants to blind and vision-impaired children, young people and adults aged 25 and under. We welcome your grant application

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VICTA - Empowering blind children & young adults 

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VICTA - Empowering blind children & young adults 

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About VICTA | Children & young adults who are blind or partially sighted

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VICTA is a national charity that provides support to children and young adults from 0 to 29 who are blind or partially sighted and their families.

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The Amber Trust - Music for Blind Children 

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The Amber Trust - Music for Blind Children 

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Providing musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children,
including children with more complex needs.

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Amber's vision is to give blind or partially sighted children the best possible chance to fulfil their musical aspirations.

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VI - Six Steps for Starting Secondary School

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VI - Six Steps for Starting Secondary School

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Six Steps for Starting Secondary School - Thomas Pocklington Trust

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Explore our guide to getting ready to start secondary school as a blind or partially sighted student, including advice around support, navigation and technology.

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Self-advocacy for young people with a vision impairment

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Self-advocacy for young people with a vision impairment

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Self-advocacy for young people with a vision impairment | Guide Dogs

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A guide on how to self-advocate (speak up or yourself) for young people and for parents to share with a younger child with a vision impairment.

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Progressing to Year 7

Many young people find moving from primary to secondary school exciting, but for some it can also be a scary time. That can often be the case if you have a vision impairment. The thought of moving somewhere new and somewhere bigger could make you feel anxious, but we're here to support you.

Here are some of our top tips for moving on up to Secondary School.

Hints and tips

Plan your route to school, and do a few practice runs before you start if you'll eventually be travelling alone to school, to help you feel more confident. If you need any extra help, a Habilitation Officer can support you. You'll probably already have visited your new school on a transition day, and so you may have some idea of its layout. Before you start, take a look at the school website for maps and virtual tours. You'll probably be given a school map on your first day, too, and you may be allowed to leave lessons a bit early to help you move around school when it's less busy. If you're worried about how you'll find your way around, there's an app called Clew which is designed for people who are blind or partially sighted and can be used indoors. It remembers locations, and helps you return to them.

Making new friends can take time, but just be yourself. Try to join some school clubs so that you'll meet others with similar interests and make friends with people just like you.

Sometimes we need to make an extra effort to make friends, and this can take us out of our comfort zone. Genuine friendships can come gradually, so try not to feel down if you don't feel you're making friends quickly enough. Try to smile a lot, and make it your goal just to say 'hello'!

Remember to give everything time. The first few weeks might feel difficult, but it doesn't mean it'll always feel like that - things will get easier. Always talk to your parents, carers, your tutor or teachers at school if you're finding it hard. Most schools have a Wellbeing Centre, which you can pop in to and chat to the staff there. They'll listen to your worries and work with you and the teaching staff to make sure you feel safe and happy in school.

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Progressing to Year 7 Many young people find moving from primary to secondary school exciting, but for some it can also be a scary time. That can often be the case if you have a vision impairment. The thought of moving somewhere new and somewhere bigger could make you feel anxious, but we're here to support you.

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BlossomFest @ Kingsdown School on Tuesday 25th August. Booking from Thursday 25th June 

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BlossomFest @ Kingsdown School on Tuesday 25th August. Booking from Thursday 25th June 

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Blossoms stay & play at Kingsdown School Saturday July 11th - book on website. 

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Blossoms stay & play at Kingsdown School Saturday July 11th - book on website. 

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Booking at https://blossoms-sen.cic-connect.co.uk/bookings

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Megacentre Mega Monday Mix for SEND children and families

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Megacentre Mega Monday Mix for SEND children and families

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Mondays 4-6pm term time only

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FREE Kids Kingdom activity for VI children 

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FREE Kids Kingdom activity for VI children 

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Bring along your mums and dads, sisters and brothers or a friend!

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What is included in a Packed with Smiles parcel?

This is a question that we get asked all the time and for every child we support, we provide items across the full academic year in 2 parcels, delivered in September and February. We supply parcels that include the following items: coats, school shoe vouchers, shorts, trousers, skirts, pinafores, shirts, jumpers, cardigans, PE kits that include trainers and plimsolls, water bottles, backpacks, and we even include a name labelling pen so that the items can be personalised.

They work in partnership with the schools so school can contact them.

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Packed with Smiles provide children in our local community with new uniform parcels and other school essentials, to ensure that they can fully participate in school.

Our dream is that all children are given the opportunity to attend school feeling equal, confident and ready to create their own future.

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Packed with Smiles - Giving the Confidence to Belong.

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Packed with Smiles provide children in our local community with new uniform parcels and other school essentials, to ensure that they can fully participate in school. Our dream is that all children are given the opportunity to attend school feeling equal, confident and ready to create their own future.

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Rochford Frontline- Young Carers Service

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Rochford Frontline- Young Carers Service

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SCAFT - Supporting Carers & Families Together

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SCAFT – Supporting Carers and Families Together

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Supporting Carers and Families. The object of our organisation is to relieve the social, emotional, mental, physical and educational needs of Carers and their families in the county of Essex through the provision of support, person and group centered interventions, advice, guidance and sign posting to other services as appropriate.

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Sibs exists to support people who grow up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister.

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New support service arrives for Young Cares

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New support service arrives for Young Cares

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We understand that caring can be hard, but believe getting the right help shouldn't be. That's why we work directly with and for, unpaid carers to provide personalised information and advice. Making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.

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New Ofsted Framework - How should schools and colleges support Young Carers 

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New Ofsted Framework - How should schools and colleges support Young Carers 

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Sensory circuits to support students who have ADHD

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Sensory circuits to support students who have ADHD

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Southend City Council Specialist Teaching Service 

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Sensory circuits to support students who have autism

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Sensory circuits to support students who have autism

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Southend City Council Specialist Teaching Service 

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Sensory Circuits to support motor skills

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Sensory Circuits to support motor skills

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Southend City Council Specialist Teaching Service 

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ATF Queensway Youth Sessions for age 8+ on Tuesdays 4pm-6pm

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ATF Queensway Youth Sessions for age 8+ on Tuesdays 4pm-6pm

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ATF Free Football at Shoeburyness High school for ages 7-14

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ATF Free Football at Shoeburyness High school for ages 7-14

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Marsh Farm SEND event July 20th and 21st

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Marsh Farm SEND event July 20th and 21st

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SEND Fest at Marsh Farm is back for 2026 - and this time we are bigger and better than ever - with 2 exclusive days for children and young people with SEND, and their families.

Come and join us on Monday 20th or Tuesday 21st July, from 10am - 5pm. Enjoy the splash pool beach, giant sand pit, soft play, bouncy pillow, foam parties, rides, the disco barn, dinosaurs, inflatables, golf - and so much more!

Tickets will go live at 10am on Tuesday 12 May using this link - https://SENDFESTFarm.eventbrite.co.uk

Marsh Farm, CM3 5WP

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Southend YMCA Launch Pad Age 16-18 (to 25 with SEND)

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Southend YMCA Launch Pad Age 16-18 (to 25 with SEND)

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Zones of regulation check in cat version (002)

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SEND Therapies Classroom Set Up Support Summer 2026

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Social media - Visit us at the Southend SEND Information Day

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Lots of visuals and social stories that can be downloaded

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A visual timetable supports a person with ASC because they are often more visual than verbal thinkers. It is important that it is both developmentally appropriate and manged by the person themselves, if possible. We have often made visual timetables for KS2 and KS3 children as well as preschoolers. Some teachers have a class visual timetable, which can be good for all children, but remember the child with ASC may need their own. They teach a person the order of things, helps them learn about time, prepares them for events and how to organise themselves. A 'FINISHED' pocket to post symbols in once an event or activity is over, is important too. Learn how visual timetables can teach all kinds of things in this article from my blog.

You can get free school based timetable symbols here.

You can get home based symbols pictures here.

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A visual timetable supports a person with ASC because they are often more visual than verbal thinkers. It is important that it is both developmentally appropriate and manged by the person themselves, if possible. We have often made visual timetables for KS2 and KS3 children as well as preschoolers.

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Useful social stories including 'taking turns' and 'winning and losing' which can be downloaded

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A visual timetable supports a person with ASC because they are often more visual than verbal thinkers. It is important that it is both developmentally appropriate and manged by the person themselves, if possible. We have often made visual timetables for KS2 and KS3 children as well as preschoolers. Some teachers have a class visual timetable, which can be good for all children, but remember the child with ASC may need their own. They teach a person the order of things, helps them learn about time, prepares them for events and how to organise themselves. A 'FINISHED' pocket to post symbols in once an event or activity is over, is important too. Learn how visual timetables can teach all kinds of things in this article from my blog.

You can get free school based timetable symbols here.

You can get home based symbols pictures here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A visual timetable supports a person with ASC because they are often more visual than verbal thinkers. It is important that it is both developmentally appropriate and manged by the person themselves, if possible. We have often made visual timetables for KS2 and KS3 children as well as preschoolers.

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Lots of editable visuals that can be downloaded.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A visual timetable supports a person with ASC because they are often more visual than verbal thinkers. It is important that it is both developmentally appropriate and manged by the person themselves, if possible. We have often made visual timetables for KS2 and KS3 children as well as preschoolers. Some teachers have a class visual timetable, which can be good for all children, but remember the child with ASC may need their own. They teach a person the order of things, helps them learn about time, prepares them for events and how to organise themselves. A 'FINISHED' pocket to post symbols in once an event or activity is over, is important too. Learn how visual timetables can teach all kinds of things in this article from my blog.

You can get free school based timetable symbols here.

You can get home based symbols pictures here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A visual timetable supports a person with ASC because they are often more visual than verbal thinkers. It is important that it is both developmentally appropriate and manged by the person themselves, if possible. We have often made visual timetables for KS2 and KS3 children as well as preschoolers.

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SALT hour Schools - Training Offer Summer Term

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OT hour Schools - Training Offer Summer Term (002)

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EP Transition Yr 6 to Yr 7 coffee mornings

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This section can be used to support your understanding of sensory processing and the impact it may have on participation in everyday activities.

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Explore our Communication Board series, including expert tips, tutorials, and a Q&A session. Learn how to create, customise, and use Communication Boards effectively.

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Dying Matters: : A whole section with downloadable leaflets and information

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Dying Matters: : A whole section with downloadable leaflets and information

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Latest news from Hospice UK | Hospice UK

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Nurture UK: Free bereavement downloadable guide

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Nurture UK: Free bereavement downloadable guide

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nurtureuk is dedicated to improving the life chances of every child and young person by promoting nurture across the whole education system and beyond.

Registered England and Wales, charity number: 1115972. Scottish registered charity number: SC042703

Registered office
Insight House, Riverside Business Park,
Stoney Common Road,
Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8PL

ISO27001: 2022 certified for information security management

Copyright © 2026 nurtureuk

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Bereavement support for children and young people

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Discover our bereavement support services for children and young people. We offer practical tools and guidance to help them cope with grief and loss

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Balloons Charity: Downloadable PDF’s with various information

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Balloons Charity: Downloadable PDF’s with various information

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We’ve just published our Autumn Term Supporters Newsletter.

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General bereavement support with downloadable resources

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General bereavement support with downloadable resources

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Rowen's Hospice: Downloadable PDF ‘Small Book of Big Conversations’

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Rowen's Hospice: Downloadable PDF ‘Small Book of Big Conversations’

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Child Bereavement Support | Rowans Hospice

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Our Child Bereavement Support service offers professional emotional support to children before and after the death of a loved one with life-limiting illness.

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Resources to help children through the coronavirus 

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Resources to help children through the coronavirus 

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Managing a death and bereavement during Covid 19

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The current pandemic has interrupted the way we grieve.

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Hope again: The youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care

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Hope again: The youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care

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Hope Again - Young people coping with bereavement and living after loss. A website from Cruse Bereavement.

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Online counselling platform for children and young people

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Online counselling platform for children and young people

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Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous

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Childline - online activities and games including a 'calm zone' 

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Childline - online activities and games including a 'calm zone' 

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Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people | Childline

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Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.

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Bereavement support and information, as well as virtual support through a 'virtual café' via zoom.

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Young Minds - Coping with grief and loss

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Young Minds - Coping with grief and loss

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Young Minds has a whole wealth of information for bereavement including downloadable guides and links to further help.

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Understanding Grief and Loss | Supporting Young People

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A guide to help you support young people through grief and loss, with practical tips, conversation starters, and helpful resources for professionals.

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Support after the passing of a baby or child

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Support after the passing of a baby or child

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We offer a bereavement support for anyone affected by the sudden or unexpected death of a baby or young child.

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Barnardo’s is a children’s charity that’s here to help children and young people safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful – and have somewhere they feel they belong.

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Information, books and resources for helping children with bereavement 

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Information, books and resources for helping children with bereavement 

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Bereavement support without the wait

Our expert bereavement team are available to speak with right away. No appointments or waiting lists, just real-life support. Start a conversation now. You can speak with us between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). You must be 13 or older to receive support via WhatsApp. If you need to speak to us in a language other than English, we can use interpreters over the phone, and we can use the Relay UK app if you have hearing or speech difficulties. For urgent support in a crisis , please call 999.

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Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity, dedicated to providing bereavement support for children and young people.

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Resources and Helpline for people who have been affected by the pandemic 

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Resources and Helpline for people who have been affected by the pandemic 

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Coronavirus, bereavement and grief - Cruse Bereavement Support

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Coronavirus has affected the way we mourn. Find out the ways to support yourself after losing someone during the pandemic.

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Companion volunteers can offer you regular support in the comfort of your own home. Learn more on how to get a companion volunteer with Marie Curie.

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online support for bereaved children, young people and their families

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Helpline: Supporting adults after the death of a child 

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Helpline: Supporting adults after the death of a child 

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Managing bereavement: a guide for schools : Mentally Healthy Schools

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Managing bereavement: a guide for schools

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Advice for Primary Schools on Inclusion of a Student with a Vision Impairment

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Advice for Primary Schools on Inclusion of a Student with a Vision Impairment

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For Visually Impaired Children

Junior School Age

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Whose need is it article - Shifting the Focus from Compliance to Connection

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Making Sense Of Absence - Steven Russell

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Making Sense Of Absence - Steven Russell

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Teaching Assistant Guidance for Vision Impairment (VI)

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Teaching Assistant Guidance for Vision Impairment (VI)

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Raising the achievement of pupils with a visual impairment
Effective working with teaching assistants in schools

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Imagine revision like preparing for a marathon. You wouldn’t run 26 miles the day before, you’d train consistently, little by little. A well organised timetable helps cover all subjects without taking on too much. Keep it realistic, and don’t forget to build in rewards, like time to watch your favourite show!

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Imagine revision like preparing for a marathon. You wouldn’t run 26 miles the day before, you’d train consistently, little by little. A well organised timetable helps cover all subjects without taking on too much. Keep it realistic, and don’t forget to build in rewards, like time to watch your favourite show!

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Social group for neurodivergent and socially anxious young adults

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Essex support groups for teens and adults with anxiety, autism or ADHD. Step Out Essex offers inclusive social activities, peer support and a welcoming community.

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SouthSEND Rugby—an inclusive team for children aged 4 - 16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

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Southsend | Join Our Inclusive Rugby Program — SOUTHEND RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

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Explore Southend Rugby Club’s inclusive SouthSEND team, offering adapted rugby for children with SEND to build confidence, friendships, and community.

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An inclusive farm that welcomes children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

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Situated on a small farm and horse-riding establishment in Leigh on Sea Essex, our primary goal is to provide a blended alternative to mainstream education, for young people who are not attending school or are on a reduced timetable for a variety of different reasons.

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SEN Indirock sessions

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STRM Charity partnered with INDIROCK to create the Bouldering Club in April 2022.