Derby SEND Voice

19/08/2026

🎨 Free Summer Creative Activities for Eligible Young People

A range of creative organisations have partnered with Derby City Council to offer free creative activities for eligible young people this summer. The sessions aim to help build confidence, develop connections and support resilience.

A free lunch will be provided at every session.

Eligible groups include: • Young people from low-income households • Families experiencing financial hardship • Young carers • Care-experienced young people • Electively home educated young people • Young people with disabilities or additional needs

For more information and booking details, please see the event information below. 👇

30/07/2026

It's Thursday and that means the Autistic Girls Social Group is on! All autistic girls (including those waiting for assessment) aged 8-16 years are more than welcome. Plus Orla the Therapy Dog will be there, See below for full details 😊

29/07/2026

If you’re travelling by train and need a bit of extra support, Passenger Assistance can make the journey much easier. They can help you get on and off the train safely, navigate busy stations, and make sure you have the support you and your family need throughout your journey.
See below for full details 👇

Book assisted travel on National Rail services with Passenger Assist. You can book in advance, any time up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start.

27/07/2026

The wonderful Derby Museum is holding a calm start session tomorrow 10 - 11.30 for children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This includes neurodivergent individuals (with or without a diagnosis!) and those who may benefit from a lower-stimulation environment, and their families.

This inclusive, sensory-considerate session will include:

Reduced visitor numbers to create a calmer atmosphere

Visual supports and clear signage

Designated quiet spaces for rest and regulation

Fidget resources available to use

There will also be open-ended, accessible craft and art activities for all abilities and interests in the Activity Room.

See below for full details 👇
Derby Museums

Join us for a 'Calm Start' at the Museum and Art Gallery!

This session is created for children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This includes neurodivergent individuals (with or without a diagnosis!) and those who may benefit from a lower-stimulation environment, and their families.

This inclusive, sensory-considerate session will include:
• Reduced visitor numbers to create a calmer atmosphere
• Visual supports and clear signage
• Designated quiet spaces for rest and regulation
• Fidget resources available to use

There will also be open-ended, accessible craft and art activities for all abilities and interests in the Activity Room.

If you’d like more information about the sensory adaptations, feel free to contact John at [email protected]

We warmly welcome SEND families — come as you are! All children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Please note, the Museum will be closed to the general public during the session but the Museum café will open.

📅28 July
🕛10am – 11:30am

Find out more about our summer events and book your place here: https://ow.ly/xJmF50ZpYZ4

23/07/2026

Who fancies a Cuppa and Chat this Saturday?
Join Derby's Autistic Fundraising Group 9-11 at Hickories Smoke house, Challeston for Fro-co, access to a 12 seat cinema playing Disney films and a small outside area. See below for details 👇

Lovely people! I NEED final numbers - if you’re thinking of attending THIS Saturday and haven’t let me know, please do so before the end of today.

I need to let Hickory’s know how many to expect or cancel if we don’t have enough interest. You can message on here, leave a comment or drop me an email.
Thank you 💛

23/07/2026

Summer Holidays for SEND Families: A Gentle Reminder

For some children, young people, and their families, the end of the school year can be an exciting and busy time. For others, it can feel a little sad as they prepare to transition to a new school, class, or placement. It also marks the start of the summer holidays.

For some families, the summer break means days out, holidays, family gatherings, and adventures. For others, it can feel overwhelming, the loss of routine, the pressure to “make the most of it,” and the ongoing juggle of childcare, work, support needs, and everything in between.

It’s always important to remember that summer looks different for every family. The most important thing is doing what’s right for your child and your household. If that means staying at home, keeping things simple, or staying close to familiar places, that is more than ok.

Social media often shows the best five minutes of someone’s day, so try not to compare your life with others. Nobody’s life is perfect.

You do you, at your pace, with plans shaped around your family’s needs. And remember, you’re doing amazing 💛

22/07/2026

Celebrate the start of the summer holidays with a disco for 16+ this Friday in Derby City Centre. Details below 👇

SEN Disco Hubbub Theatre Company

19/07/2026

The thought of travel can cause anxiety for some children. Please see below about some fantastic funded support being offered 👇

Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health C.I.C

Has anxiety stopped your family going places?

Have you stopped planning days out because the journey feels harder than the destination?

You’re not alone.

Thanks to funding from East Midlands Railway (EMR) we’re offering free support for children experiencing travel anxiety.

This isn’t only for children who are worried about trains.

It may also help children who:
🚆 are anxious travelling anywhere
🏠 struggle to leave home
🚗 worry about car journeys
🤢 have developed anxiety following travel sickness
🌍 find unfamiliar places overwhelming

Every child begins with a free assessment call, helping us understand whether these sessions are the right fit.

Assessment calls are available on Thursdays.

If you’ve been avoiding trips because anxiety has become the loudest voice, we’d love to hear from you 🌈💚♥️

18/07/2026

One of the most rewarding things about being part of Derby SEND voice is being invited to the table of discussions around SEND in Derby City to make sure the lived experience of families is heard.

However, one of the best things is being invited to be a part of community events such as MartinFest at St Martins School, Derby yesterday!

We enjoyed a day of Music, Food, Fun and inclusion. We met some wonderful young people and their parents, as well as the incredible staff. Thanks for having us 😊

St Martins School, Derby