Friends, relationships and community

The transition from being a child to a young adult who has left school or college should be an exciting time. But it can be difficult to leave behind the usual routines, friendships and activities that attending school and college brings. From Year 9 onwards, young people should be supported to plan ahead and prepare for adulthood, which includes thinking about how they would like to spend their free time.

The information on this page is intended to help young people and their families to get the most out of what is on offer in their local community, including ways to meet new people and taking part in sport and leisure activities.

Meeting people, making friends and dating

When young people leave school or college, it can become harder to maintain the friendships they have made. Many young adults will also want to enjoy romantic relationships too, but might need some support to meet people.

  • The NAS Resource Centre run social groups and employment support for young adults with autism across Surrey.
  • Scope, and The National Autistic Society have online forums that help young adults to connect with other people with similar needs or interests as themselves.
  • The Sunnybank Trust runs social groups and activities for adults and young adults with learning disability.
  • Lifeworks by YMCA East Surrey run activity days for people with disabilities age 16+ in Reigate and Redhill.
  • Online dating is now one of the most popular ways for young people to meet a partner. There are several dating agencies available that specialise in helping people with SEND to meet other people. These include Flame Introductions, Outsiders, Able2UK and Disability Matches.

Sports, art and leisure

All organisations should make reasonable adjustments to be inclusive to people with SEND. The Local Offer Directory has many sports and arts clubs listed in the Leisure category. Use a keyword that describes your interest to find out what is available in Surrey.

There are also many groups with activities specifically aimed at people with SEND, some of which are listed below:

  • Activity Alliance is a charity working to help organisations support disabled people to be active. They have a guide for people with disabilities about how to get active.
  • Active Surrey have an activity finder for sports clubs and organisations that are inclusive of all abilities.
  • Wheels for All has a wide range of adapted cycles that help make cycling an option for people who find other forms of physical activity difficult.
  • Disability Arts in Surrey (Daisy) is an umbrella organisation which promotes and celebrates the works of disabled artists and disability arts organisations in Surrey. Daisy works with its member organisations to share skills, resources and grow together.
  • The Just So Singers is a SEND choir with free membership. Any student from a Surrey SEND school, full time education within Surrey or home educated can join between the ages of 9 to 19 years.

Financial support to access community activities

In some circumstances, financial support is available to help young people take part in activities:

  • Personal budgets can be requested by young people (over 16) who have an EHCP, or by their parents. From their personal budget, young people can use Direct Payments to pay for leisure and social activities that will help meet their needs, as outlined in their EHCP.
  • Turn2Us is a website offering information about benefits and it has a database of charities who offer grants. Use the filters on the grant finder to find what is most relevant to your situation.
  • Trefoil is a charity offering personal development grants to young people under the age of 25 years with special needs which may be psycho/social or of a physical nature which impacts upon their development.

Support for young adults with complex needs

For young people with complex needs, support services can help with access to leisure and social activities in their local community.

  • Day services in Surrey are available through social care services for adults with complex or severe learning or physical disabilities.
  • Surrey Choices offer community groups and activities for adults with learning and physical disabilities across Surrey.
  • Services who support post-16 transitions lists several teams within Surrey County Council who may be able to assist young people who need support with being part of their community, during the transition from children to adult services.
  • Advocacy services are available free of charge to help vulnerable people with learning disabilities to express their interests, gain more independence and be able to access their local community.
  • Surrey Independent Living Council have an online PA Finder to help people find the right Personal Assistant to help them with day to day living. The PA can assist you with getting out and about and taking part in local activities.

Having your voice heard

ATLAS Surrey (previously SEND Youth Advisors Surrey/ SYAS) is a user-led network of children and young people who have accessed any SEND service in Surrey. ATLAS enables young people to take part in a variety of consultation, participation projects, peer mentoring support and personal development.

If you would like to get involved with ATLAS, please contact the User Voice and Participation Team on user.voice@surreycc.gov.uk or call them on 01483 519464.

The Surrey Learning Disability and Autism Partnership Hub bring together people working for Surrey County Council, people with autism and/or learning disabilities and their carers to ensure they have a voice. The website and Facebook page help keep people informed about services and events in Surrey. Easy Read information is available on topics ranging from benefits to advocacy services, which can help young adults make informed decisions about things that will affect them.