Opportunities to join in and get involved

Sheffield City Council Community Youth Services have a group called SENDing Voices.

Who are we:

A group of young people age from 13-24 years old who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)

What we do:

The group come together to meet with their peers to discuss and share issues and challenges that they and other young people with SEND face on a day-to-day basis. In true youth work style, the sessions are fun, creative and engaging. The open and honest reflections are then fed back creatively to decision makers to influence change. 

How we do it:

Topics are identified either by the young people themselves or through our working relationships with our SCC colleagues and partners across the city. We will then collaborate with partners to develop the topic into creative fun sessions that are accessible and inclusive for the group members.

Examples of what we do:

1)     Coming soon- Animation films – the group wanted to address some of the barriers they face in education, so they have coproduced five short films for educational providers on the subjects of

• Acceptance
• Inclusion
• Communication
• Transitions
• Access

 2)     Children & Young People’s Rights – the group worked with Sheffield Hallam University researcher to give feedback on their views about what rights were important to young people with SEND and how professionals can support them.

When we meet: Every fortnight on a Wednesday 4.30pm – 6.30pm

Where we meet: Electric Works, 3 Concourse Way, Sheffield City Centre, S1 2BJ

These sessions are mainly in person, but some people attend online too, depending on what the young person prefers, or their needs are.

How young people can get involved:

• E-mail: kerry.doxey@sheffield.gov.uk 
• Phone: 07391 739 118

Kerry will then contact the young person and have a one-to-one chat before being invited to the group sessions. 

All the sessions and activities are free, travel expenses are reimbursed, and snacks and drinks are available at all sessions.

Recognition for taking part

Young people have the opportunity to take part in holiday activities, such as trips to The Deep – Hull, London, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Laser Quest, Canal trip. 

Other opportunities include: 

• Work experience opportunities
• Wider youth work projects
• 121 support / referrals

Sheffield City Council Community Youth Services run the following youth clubs for young people aged 13 to 25 years with special educational needs and/or disabilities:

Leo’s SEND club: Monday 6-8pm, Centre in the Park, Guildford Avenue, Norfolk Park, Sheffield S2 2PL

S Club 5 SEND club: Tuesday 6-8pm, Milan Youth Centre, Longley Lane, Sheffield S5 7JS

Just turn up to your chosen club and a Youth Worker will help you to complete the registration form. For further information contact Community Youth Services on 0114 2057450 or email youth.services@sheffield.gov.uk   

The Sheffield Youth Cabinet enables young people to have a say on issues that matter to them and to influence decision making at a local, regional and national level. Sheffield Youth Cabinet members represent the voice, views and opinions of their peers in their local areas.

The Children in Care Council is a group for individuals aged 13 to 18 years who are in care.  They work hard on a range of creative projects of their choosing that help change the lives of young people who are being brought up through the care system. 

Chilypep Sheffield empowers children and young people to have a say in what happens in their lives and their communities.   

Young Healthwatch helps children and young people to have their say on health and social care services and make them more accessible for other young people who need them. 

Sheffield Hospital Youth Forum recruit young people age 12-19 years old, who are patients, ex patients, siblings/carers of patients. 

The Youth Forum meets every month to talk about the issues that matter most to them. The forum works hard to ensure that young adults' views are heard to improve services. 

If interested in joining or to find out more please email Natalie Parkin: scn-tr.transitionteam@nhs.net or call: 0114 3053768

Disability Sheffield is run and controlled by disabled people. 

They run Sheffield Voices.  This is a learning disability self-advocacy group that meets at Hillsborough Arena.

Sheffield Cycling 4 All is a Disability Sheffield project. Sessions are held at Hillsborough Park.  They have a range of adapted trikes for people with disabilities.

Move More Sheffield provide information on sports clubs and leisure facilities in Sheffield.   They provide information for disabled people of all ages to find out where inclusive sessions are being held.  They have created an activity brochure that shows what is near you. 

Get involved and help make positive changes for autistic people, their families and carers.

The Sheffield Autism Partnership Board holds to account Sheffield City Council, NHS Integrated Care Board and Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust to implement the requirements of the Autism Act (2009), the Department of Health's subsequent national Adult Autism Strategy and Statutory Guidance, and the Care Act (2014).

The aim is to:

• make Sheffield an autism friendly city
• ensure the views of autistic people and their families and carers drive change and contribute directly to planning
• raise the profile of autism in Sheffield
• improve the experience and life chances of autistic people

If you're interested in getting involved with the board please email scapbs@sheffield.gov.uk.