Stall holders - activity providers
Lots of local support services will be hosting a stall in the marketplace areas. See below, and on the following pages for details of who will be there.
Where a referral from a professional is needed to access the service we have shown this.
Activity providers
Artopia Day Centre
Arts and craft day provision for adults aged 18 plus with mild to moderate learning disabilities and additional needs. Artopia works within a person-centred approach, and we provide activities according to each individual’s needs, wants and abilities.
We are not just an art centre where individuals come to express themselves through art, we provide a lot of in-community activities, where every day skills are applied. We have regular meals out, community day trips and residential trips away. We also have a small kitchen area where we often bake things to enjoy throughout the day.
We are open 50 weeks of the year (9:30am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday), excluding bank holidays. Trainee's provide their own packed lunch. Free tea, coffee and juice are available.
Contact: Kellynoakes@artopia.org.uk or 07935 664635. Website: https://artopia.org.uk
Blossoms SEND CIC
Provides stay and plays, activities, and opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and complex needs aged 0 to 17, and their families in Essex.
Contact: Info@blossoms-send.com or 07478 350950. Website: https://blossoms-send.com/
Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit/Essex Youth Map/Youth Voice
We will be at the event to raise awareness of local youth clubs/groups in Southend-on-sea, help identify gaps and share resources from the Violence and Vulnerability Unit. We provide support for children and young people aged 8 to 25.
Contact: abbigailflitter@southend.gov.uk Website: https://www.essexvvu.co.uk
Making Waves All Age SEND Support
A group for children and young people with SEND aged 1 to 16, providing sensory, educational, and physical play in a safe, inclusive environment. Making Waves also support families by building relationships, offering guidance, and helping with paperwork and access to services.
Due to growing need, we are developing a part-time SEND Hub called The LAB. This will support children, adults, and those with mental health challenges through activities such as art therapy, music therapy, adapted movement sessions, accessible church, Making Waves, and parent support groups. We hope to include sensory spaces, soft play, and partner with services such as NHS clinics to create a welcoming, connected hub for the community.
Contact: leanne@lifestreams.org.uk or 01702 300402. Facebook page.
Mushroom Theatre Company
Offering classes in Dance, Drama and Singing for children, young people and adults aged 2 plus. Our ethos of inclusion means that everyone is welcome in our classes, regardless of ability and we openly encourage applicants from the SEND community.
We believe in the therapeutic and social benefits of the Performing Arts and provide a safe and happy environment for people to grow and learn. We provide performance opportunities and examinations, although neither of these is compulsory an even have a once monthly youth club.
We provide a safe place for children and young people to express themselves and experience the emotional benefits of taking part in an activity with a group or others as well as the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity.
Contact: info@mushroomtheatre.co.uk or 07985 422485. Website: https://mushroomtheatre.co.uk
The Art Ministry
The Art Ministry aims to involve children and young people with SEND in affordable, accessible and inclusive creative activities to provide opportunities for increasing social interaction, boosting self-confidence and improving self-esteem, to help maintain or improve their mental health and wellbeing. We offer two sessions in Hadleigh each week; children aged 5 to 18, Monday, 5pm to 7pm and young people aged 18 to 25, Tuesday, 6pm to 7.30pm. First session is free and then £5.50 per session.
Contact: contact@theartministry.org.uk or 07582 025163. Facebook page.
The Hang Out Venue
The Hang Out venue is a space for families to come and hang out together, situated in the heart of Southend. We are set up to cater to ages 0 to 18 years. Available for hourly or two hourly slots, Birthday parties, private functions and much more.
Contact: info@thehangoutvenue.co.uk or 07852 191415. Website: https://thehangoutvenue.co.uk/
Activities and preparing for adulthood
Butterflies Club and The Essex Skipper
Butterflies Club provide clubs and activities for children and young people with disabilities, afterschool, weekends and during school holidays.
The Essex Skipper provide day services, evening activities and weekend activities for young adults with disabilities. We aim to provide opportunities for the young adults to enhance their local community with the skills they learn, from tasks supporting running The Essex Skipper venue to providing events for the local SEND community such as SEND coffee mornings or SEND Family events.
Providing support for ages 0 to 30.
Contact: jen@butterfliesclub.co.uk or 07586 842345. Website: https://www.butterfliesclub.co.uk
Freedom and Freedom Kids
Freedom club night is a full nightclub experience for anyone with any form of disability/different ability, providing a safe event with experienced club DJ's, themed events and lots of giveaways and fun!
Freedom Kids is the same great event but for the under 18's. Our staff have DBS checks and we are fully insured.
Contact: freedom@paulgeeentertainments.co.uk or 07711 534052. Website: https://freedomclubnights.co.uk
Southend-on-Sea City Council Targeted Youth Support Service
We deliver youth clubs for children and young people aged 8 to 25 across 4 sites in Southend. Clubs include Jingas SEND session for 12 to 25 year olds and SENDSocial for 16 to 25 year olds. Further details.
Contact: tyss@southend.gov.uk or 01702 298495. Facebook page.
Vibe Southend
Day centre for adults aged 18 plus who are vulnerable or with additional needs. We focus on socialisation, friendship building, interaction, fun activities including going out in the community and learning life skills.
Contact: info@vibesouthend.club or 01702 462479. Website: https://vibesouthend.club. Facebook: https://facebook.com/vibesouthend/
Activities and education
Chaos and Calm CIC
We deliver stay and play and sensory story time sessions for pre-school aged children (0 to 5) with any form of SEND or complex medical needs. We have different groups to meet different needs and are sure we have something for everyone! Our sessions are relaxed, friendly and welcoming they often feature messy play so a spare set of clothes is recommended. All our sessions are free of charge and pre-school aged siblings are welcome too!
Contact: admin@chaosandcalm.org or 07828 230948. Website: https://chaosandcalm.org
Southend Theatres
The Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre host SEND and family friendly events, classes and shows (ages 2 plus).
Contact: creativelearning@southendtheatres.org.uk or 0343 310 0030. Website: https://southendtheatres.org.uk
Activities, education and preparing for adulthood
The Song School
The Song School is a creative, safe and inclusive community for children and young people passionate about music and/or working in the music industry. Whether it be through songwriting, working with a band, learning instruments (drums, piano, guitar, bass, DJing), vocals or music technology, our young people grow in confidence and skill under the guidance of our empathetic and experienced coaches.
We encourage our young people to get involved in wider community projects such as organising events, podcasting, mentoring younger members, video making and giving feedback on the provision we offer. The Song School has recently been added to Southend City Council's list of alternative provisions so we are now able to support our growing number of young people with EHCPs, EOTAS, home educated or those currently out of the school system.
Supporting children and young people aged 5 to 18.
Contact: hello@thesongschool.co.uk or 07863 044981. Website: https://thesongschool.co.uk
Activities, education and health
Trust Links
Mental health and wellbeing charity supporting adults, young people and families, based within therapeutic gardens, each with indoor facilities.
The Children, Youth and Families team run the following projects across Southend and Castlepoint: Youth Links: peer support and social youth clubs (11 to 18 years); Bouldering Together: indoor climbing in collaboration with Indirock (11 to 18 years); Learning Together: Alternative provision for young people struggling to access education due to their mental health (11 to 16 years); Dig It Youth: outdoor after school club (8 to 12 years); 17 to 25's social group (from September).
Adult services include Growing Together (therapeutic gardening), MSE Recovery College (psychoeducational courses), Healthy Mind Hub (social activity groups) and Trust Links Counselling.
Contact: admin-support@trustlinks.org or 01702 213134. Website: https://trustlinks.org/
Activities, advocacy and family support
Southend Mencap
Services and events: Independent Advocacy Service, Family Support Service, Hate Incident Reporting Centre, Beach Hut Hire, The Novel Coffee shop, Charity Shops in Leigh-on-sea and Southend-on-Sea , The Me Carers Group, Adult Valentines Party, Annual Achievers Awards, Annual Art Competition and Awards.
Clubs and activities: Friendship Group, 16 plus Club, Showstoppers, M.O.D.S Drama Group, Family play and respite (5 to 16 years), SMASH sports Club, Compatibles, Friendship and Relationship Group.
Contact: marc.mcowen@southendmencap.co.uk or call 01702 341250 for Southend Mencap or 01702 334514 for advocacy and family support. Website: https://southendmencap.org.uk
Activities, social care and preparing for adulthood
Friends and Places Together
A small, Southend based charity helping vulnerable, young people (aged 13 plus) to see their friends or make new friendships outside of school and college. We give young people the opportunity to socialise independently with other young people.
Our goal is to always help those who are struggling. Forming friendships is hard for a lot of people. We want to create a warm and safe environment for everyone to feel free to express themselves and make true connections with others. We offer a place where everyone is accepting to be able to express themselves and help transition into adults. We have seen many people gain confidence, assertive skills, independent skills and a right to have a social life and friends.
Contact: volunteer@friendsandplaces.org.uk or 07796 678939. Website: https://friendsandplacestogether.org.uk/
Southend Care Employment and Engagement Services
The Engagement and Employment Service incorporates a range of specialist services designed to support adults with varying needs in developing skills, independence, and employment opportunities. These services include:
- Making it Work supported employment service – providing tailored employment support for adults with learning disabilities, helping individuals develop workplace skills and access sustainable employment opportunities
- Project 49 – a day opportunities service delivering both skills development and an employability pathway, supporting individuals to build confidence, independence, and vocational abilities
- Viking House – a day service offering meaningful opportunities and specialist support for adults with complex health needs and complex behavioural needs, promoting wellbeing, engagement, and personal development
Contact: makingitwork@southendcare.co.uk; project49@southendcare.co.uk; nicolaottaway@southendcare.co.uk or 01702 212754. Website: https://southendcare.co.uk
Activities, education, health, social care, and family support
Southend YMCA
Provides housing for young people, youth work, music support, activities for families with young children, breastfeeding support, counselling and mentoring. Supports ages 0 to 25.
Contact: info@southendymca.org.uk or 01702 301301. Website: https://southendymca.org.uk/