Information links for young people
Email this pageFinding a Work Placement/Opportunity
Connect to Work
Personalised one to one support, training opportunities, help with job searches and applications, health and wellbeing support.
Ambitious about Autism - Employ Autism
We provide paid work experiences for autistic young people aged 18 - 25 through our Employ Autism programme. The opportunities we offer are with employers who have undertaken our full training on understanding autism in the workplace.
Access to Work
This is an initiative created by the Government , ran by the Department for Work and Pensions to support people with ADHD and other disabilities access work, it is aimed to help support people who are aware that there are certain barriers preventing them from pursuing a working life.
Get on Track
Are you 16–18 years old and looking to take your next step in education, employment, or training? Get On Track is here to support you!
Get Set UK
Get Set for Work can help and offer support with the move to employment and in the workplace
Job Centres Near Me
Find your nearest Jobcentre Plus, find a job, find information about Universal Credit, budgeting loan, benefits, free courses and careers advice including; how to write a CV.
Preparing for Adulthood
Information on Independence, Training and Employment
Realise Futures
Works to improve people's social and economic well-being through work placements, employment and training opportunities
Further Education Information
Department for Education - Further Education Courses
Overview of further education courses and how they are funded. You an use this link to 'find a course'
Natspec
Further education and training provision for young people aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and / or disabilities
Essex Youth Service
Further Education advice and educational choices
Prospects - How to apply for colleges in the UK
If you've decided to go to college, there are various application methods available depending on your age, current qualifications and the type of course you're applying for - discover more about the right one for you
Talking Futures
Understanding Options. There are several pathways for 16 to 18-year olds to choose from, depending on what they're thinking about doing next.
UCAS - Further Education Options
More about your options after school, including apprenticeships, college, and sixth form
Help with understanding your rights
MIND
Information for young people to help you understand what rights are, what rights you have for your mental health and what to do if you feel like your rights aren't being listened to
National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
NYAS is proud to offer the Safety Net service for care-experienced children and young people across England. We will listen to any concerns you may have, signpost you to the appropriate service, and help you access the support you need.
Re-think Advocacy
If you are a young person receiving social care services, you have a right to access independent advocacy. An advocate can help you to make a complaint or to support you to have your views heard in decision-making meetings
Voice-Ability
Advocacy and Support for Young People - Supporting people to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing.
Mentoring and Support
Evolve Intervention
Evolve Intervention offers mentoring, coaching, group work and tuition.
Good Man Male Mentoring
Good Man is a fully funded five-week mentoring programme for boys and young men aged 10-18 who may be at risk of entering or currently experiencing abusive relationships.
Kids Inspire - Mentoring Programme
Trained volunteer mentors, from all stages and walks of life, gift their time to offering guidance to a young person by building a trusting relationship and modelling positive behaviours in a fun and caring environment.
Look Charity
Offering visually impaired young people advice, training and mentoring.
YES - Supporting Young People
YES offer mentoring and wellbeing support for young people
Reach Mentoring
Reach aim to transform the lives of children and young people, building a strong, trusting relationship with the child or young person while discovering their interests and skills through a range of activities.
Youth Unity
Youth interventions refer to a wide range of programs, services, and activities aimed at supporting young people to develop the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed and thrive
Multi School Council
What is the Multi School Council
The Multi Schools Council was started in 2012 to help break down perceptions towards children with SEND and mental health difficulties in schools and their wider communities.
A New Book - A Toolkit for Teachers: Autism, ADHD and Mental Health
A toolkit for teachers: Autism, ADHD and Mental Health has been written with our young ambassadors from the Multi School Council.
Multi School Council - Essex Young People: School Attendance 2022
The Multi School Council spoke with young people across Essex with and without special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The information in this report is what young people want you to know.
Multi School Council - Ambassadors
Information on Multi School Council Ambassadors
Things to do
Corner Club SEND Youth Club
Corner Club is a youth club for young people with SEND, ALN or social anxiety aged 13 - 17 years old in Chelmsford, Galleywood Youth Centre
Adult Pan-Disability Sessions - Colchester
From the 5th June the Colchester United Community Foundation will be running an adult (18+) Pan-disability football session at Colchester stadium. This session is completely FREE.
Chelmsford Rugby Club - Blue Stars
his is ‘Rugby For All' and gives the opportunity for children, with or without any additional needs, to play proper rugby together. They hope in time to able to extend this format to over 18s.
Chelmsford City Football Club: Comets
The programme is focused on helping pan-disabled children have fun, whilst building confidence, independence and social relationships. Comets provides an environment in which participants can feel safe and belong.
Colchester Together Club for young people 19+
Interact are running a youth club for young adults aged 19 + with special educational needs. They meet every Tuesday to take part in various activities. Activities include centre-based activities, workshops and trips into the community.
Colchester United Cerebral Palsy (CP) football team
The CP football sessions are open to anyone aged sixteen and over. There are no restrictions on ability, whether you are trying football for the first time or have experience, all are welcome. Individuals with cerebral palsy or other neurological conditions affecting physical mobility can join.
Dance 21
A dance group for children and young people with Down Syndrome and their siblings in Chelmsford and Woodford
Project 21
Project 21 is a charity with a difference, running innovative activities, clubs and events for people with Down’s Syndrome in the East of England.
Disability4 Sports
Disability4Sport offers Something4Everyone through an inclusive activities that promote a level playing field and positive experiences for disabled people
Essex Dance Theatre
“Dance Inclusion” is for young adult dancers with learning disabilities, an exciting and inspiring approach to integrated dance.
Essex Outdoors
Essex Outdoor holiday club activity days run at their four Essex Outdoors centres during the school holidays, including the summer holidays and half term. They are located across Essex at Bradwell Waterside, Danbury, Harlow and Mersea Island near Colchester.
Essex Youth Service
Find all of the activities you could get involved in with the Essex Youth Service
Freedom Club Night at Popworld Southend
Freedom club night is a full nightclub for anyone with a disability/different ability, held at Popworld Southend
Hawk Farm Resort
Hawk Farm Resort is an education provider for young adults with complex needs, providing activities and respite care for young adults with learning disabilities in Essex.
Independence Project and Clubs
As a registered service provider for Essex County Council, Independence Project provides fun and supportive day care and day opportunities for young adults and also as a provider of clubs and activities for ages 8 - 18.
InterAct
If you are a Young Person with learning disabilities / additional needs, then check out the wide range of fun, leisure and social activities and opportunities
This Girls Ability Multi-Sports Club
This Girls Ability Multi-Sports Club at Writtle University College (Sports Hall) starting from Saturday (21st January), 10 - 11 am. This Girls Ability Multi-Sports is for girls/young women with disabilities aged 8-25 years old.
The Independence Project
The Independence Project is on a mission to highlight the difficulties that young adults face and strives to make a difference to the lives of people and their families across Essex.
Mercury Theatre
Activities for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are designed to develop creative skills and increase confidence through drama games and performance
Move with us - Active Essex
Explore your local opportunities, be a part of something, and take time to support your mental and physical health. Whether it be cricket or trampolining, running or Zumba, informal or organised activity, we want to help support you in finding ‘the one’.
Simply the best - Clacton
A youth club for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 13 to 25.
Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park
Get your heart racing and explore high in the sky in a quest to conquer Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park. With high ropes adventure courses to suit the whole family from tiny tots of two years to big kids and adults, Sky Ropes offers great, safe family fun.
Soccability Football for children between 12-16 with additional needs - Gallywood Youth FC, Chelmsford
Soccability Football for children between 12-16 with additional needs delivered by qualified SEN teachers - Galleywood Youth FC, Chelmsford, Essex
Step into Yoga - Brentwood Youth Centre
Yoga for young people aged 18-25 with SEND (inclusive yoga & beginners welcome)
Underdog Crew
Underdog Crew Studios provides a safe and nurturing creative space for marginalised and at-risk young adults to find inspiration, motivation and a place to belong. Providing creative education, support, guidance and a route towards an empowered adulthood, laden with ambition and hope.
Unity Club Night for Adults at PopWorld
Unity Club Night is an inclusive, vibrant, and welcoming club event designed specifically for disabled adults to enjoy a fun and safe night out, offering a unique, accessible experience.
Someone to listen to your worries
Kooth
An online mental wellbeing community for young people
Talk Grief
Talk Grief is a dedicated online space for grieving teenagers and young adults (13 to 25), powered by the childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish.
Teen Talk - Harwich
Teen Talk Harwich is a social group for children aged 11 to 16 who find social situations a challenge.
Talking Therapies - Basildon and Brentwood
Talking Therapies are the free NHS talking therapies, mental health service for Brentwood, Basildon, Billericay, and Wickford for over 16 years olds
Y.E. S
Discover weekly sessions where you can talk to your counsellor about what is on your mind
Togetherall
Safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing
Young Minds
Find tools for young people to look after their mental health and give young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard
Youthful Wellbeing For young adults aged 18-2 - Mid and South Essex
Working in partnership with local Minds, this service offers support to young adults aged 18-25 who are xperiencing
mental health problems.
Youthful Wellbeing Service for young adults aged 18-25 - South Essex
Working with Thurrock and Brentwood Mind, alongside other local Minds and health services, to offer wellbeing support to young adults aged 18-25 who are experiencing mental health problems. Including those in vulnerable groups.
Youthful Wellbeing Service for young adults aged 18-25 - Brentwood & Basildon
Providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Sexual Health
Essex Sexual Health Service
Whatever your age, gender or sexuality, they provide free, confidential and non-judgemental services for everyone in Essex. They can deliver advice, information, protection, testing, treatment and any other support you and your sexual partners may need.
NDTI - Sexuality and Relationships
A number of useful links to support young adults who are thinking about their sexuality, sexual identity, relationships and rights.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
There’s a lot of new and sometimes confusing language used by people talking about being LGBT+. It can be difficult to understand what people mean – which can also make it difficult to explain what you’re feeling inside.
Youth Offending Support
Essex Youth Offending Service
The Essex Youth Offending Service works with children and young people who have offended, to help prevent them getting into further trouble.
Active Essex Foundation
This new project establishes the Foundation as the lead organisation in Essex for using sport to prevent youth crime and violence.
Catch 22
Catch 22 cover the spectrum of youth justice, from crime diversion and prevention through to intensive supervision and surveillance and reparation.
Catch 22
Catch22 builds high quality relationships alongside case management in prisons and rehabilitation work to provide the long term support needed for positive outcomes and to reduce reoffending.
Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit
Useful links for finding help and support