Online activities
- Access Sport: inclusive and accessible activities to help you stay active at home Go to https://www.accesssport.org.uk/Pages/Category/inclusive-activities (opens new window)
- Misfits: online creative workshops for people with learning difficulties Go to https://misfitstheatre.com/ (opens new window)
- Bristol Bears Community: regular videos for young people with SEND on the Bears at home YouTube page Go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpx3Y7rl9HmojNnJdcfUizQ (opens new window)
- Creative Youth Network: creative online workshops, online help and wellbeing support Go to https://www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk/ (opens new window)
- Young Bristol: daily ‘Boredom Buster' videos Go to http://youngbristol.com/boredom-busters/ (opens new window)
- Flamingo Chicks: free, inclusive virtual dance and active learning sessions for disabled and non-disabled children and young people
- Scope has a disability online community Go to https://community.scope.org.uk/ (opens new window)
- top 100 disability blogs by views on Equalitytime Go to http://equalitytime.co.uk/rankingdis/ (opens new window)
You can find tips and advice on the Online safety for young people with SEND web page.
Join a youth group
Build confidence, make friends and learn new skills at a local youth group.
Diverse UK
Diverse is an independent organisation run for and by autistic people in and around Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath.
They organise socials including gaming, music, pub trips, sports and photography.
WECIL
WECIL run youth groups for:
- young disabled and non-disabled people aged 13 to 19
- young people with learning difficulties up to the age of 25
The sessions include:
- a range of accessible activities including arts and crafts, sports and cooking
- socialising with friends
- learning about your rights
- having your voice heard
- going on trips in and outside of Bristol
Young Bristol
Young Bristol run inclusive youth clubs and outdoor activities for 8 to 19 year olds in Bristol.
Find accessible activities and venues
Accessible cinema screenings
Find a local cinema with audio described, subtitled and autism friendly screenings Go to http://accessiblescreeningsuk.co.uk/cinema-information?townpostcode=Bristol (opens new window) on the Accessible Screenings UK website.
Find autism friendly cinema screenings Go to http://dimensions-uk.org/get-involved/campaigns/autism-friendly-cinema-screenings/ (opens new window) on the Dimensions UK website.
Accessible screenings at The Watershed Go to https://www.watershed.co.uk/visit/access (opens new window) and the staff are trained in British Sign Language (BSL).
Accessible sports
Find local sport clubs and activities for young disabled people Go to https://parasport.org.uk/ (opens new window) on the Parasport UK website.
Do sports and fitness activities Go to https://www.novasportsandcoaching.co.uk/ (opens new window) with Nova Sports and Coaching.
Play football for free Go to https://www.bcfc.co.uk/robins-foundation/projects/project-inc/ (opens new window) at Bristol City Robins Foundation.
Start cycling and learn BMX off-road skills Go to https://www.accesssport.org.uk/News/wingz-bmx-rides-into-bristol (opens new window) at Wingz Cycling.
Begin horse riding at the Avon Riding Centre for disabled and non-disabled people.
Ride a bike Go to https://www.milestonestrust.org.uk/warmley-wheelers-cycling/ (opens new window) with Warmley Wheelers on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, or in Warmley Forest Park. They have specially adapted bicycles for people with disabilities or additional needs. They also have tandem bikes, so parents or carers can ride too.
Learn to play tennis Go to https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/EllyShearmanCoaching/Coaching/Camps (opens new window) with Elly Shearman tennis coaching.
Charlotte's Tandems offer tandem and tag-along bikes to borrow for free to people with disabilities or additional needs, who are unable to ride a bike safely on their own. They have volunteers based in South Gloucestershire who can lend bikes to Bristol residents.
Accessible activities
Gympanzees Go to https://lendinglibrary.gympanzees.org/ (opens new window) loans specialist play and exercise equipment.
KIDS South West Go to https://www.facebook.com/KIDScharitySW (opens new window) does courses for young disabled people aged 13 to 25 in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset. The courses cover:
- being active
- learning
- connecting and giving to others
- life skills and being mindful
Incredible Kids Go to https://incrediblekids.org.uk/ (opens new window) is an inclusive play centre, where children and young people can have fun and play with their family.
Children's scrapstore provides click and collect play materials.
Sensory walks, are walks along paths that have been designed for you to use your senses, such as touch, to connect with your surroundings while you stay active.
Accessible local events and attractions
Visit Bristol has information about:
- accessible events and theatre shows Go to https://visitbristol.co.uk/your-visit/accessible/events (opens new window)
- accessible attractions and things to do Go to https://visitbristol.co.uk/your-visit/accessible/accessible-things-to-do (opens new window)
Creative activities
AccessAble Go to https://www.accessable.co.uk/bristol-city-council (opens new window) has information about accessible venues, such as restaurants, cinemas and hotels.
Accessible art, theatre and music activities, local youth groups and online communities for disabled people.
Children and young people can express their creativity by taking part in art workshops, plays, art performances or music sessions with other disabled people.
Museums and arts
Bristol Museums' Go to https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/communities-young-people/health-and-wellbeing/ (opens new window) staff are trained to help families with autism and M Shed Go to https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/blog/community/art-shed-museums-medicine/ (opens new window) has an art course for people with low level mental health issues using museum exhibits to inspire creativity.
Find inspiration by attending exhibitions by other disabled people:
- Artists First Go to http://www.artistsfirst.org.uk/ (opens new window) is an art group run by artists with learning difficulties, who exhibit their work regularly
Theatre and performance
- The Misfits Theatre Company Go to https://misfitstheatre.com/ (opens new window) is a performance art company with creative workshops led by people with learning difficulties, for young people aged 18+.
- Misfits also run the Rhythm of the Night Go to https://misfitstheatre.com/nightclub/ (opens new window) club night for people with learning difficulties, aged 18+
- The Travelling Light Theatre Company Go to https://www.travellinglighttheatre.org.uk/take-part/sen/ (opens new window) have two drama groups for children and young disabled people aged 7+ and 16+
Find inspiration from other disabled people performance groups:
- Extraordinary Bodies Go to https://www.extraordinarybodies.org.uk/about/ (opens new window) is a professional circus company by a diverse group of artists
Music
- MusicSpace Go to http://www.musicspace.org/ (opens new window) is a music therapy charity for disabled people of all ages helping them build relationships
- Drake Music Go to https://www.drakemusic.org/ (opens new window) have technologies to make music accessible to all
Sports
The benefits of being active
Being active by playing sports or taking part in a physical activity is good for you because it:
- can make you feel good
- may lower the chance of you getting health problems
- helps you live longer
- improves your sleep
- can be a great way to meet new people
Sports and activities in Bristol
Find local activities you can get involved in:
- Search our list of accessible leisure centres and sports clubs in Bristol with activities for disabled people
- Ignite Bristol have a directory of inclusive sports opportunities Go to https://www.ignitebristol.co.uk/get-active/ (opens new window)
- Parasport UK Go to https://parasport.org.uk/ (opens new window) where you can search to find sports clubs or check what activity your child can enjoy depending on their disability
- Absolutely Leisure Go to https://www.absolutely-group.co.uk/ (opens new window) has free leisure activities, for families that have children with additional needs and offer karting sessions with a twin seat kart
- Bristol City Robins Foundation Go to https://www.bcfc.co.uk/robins-foundation/projects/project-inc/ (opens new window) run football sessions for young people with disabilities, free of cost
- Access Sport Go to https://www.accesssport.org.uk/ (opens new window) work with community sports clubs to make activities accessible, online and in person
- Gympanzees Go to https://www.gympanzees.org/ (opens new window) have specialist play and exercise equipment, information and resources to exercise at home and pop up activities and gyms across the city
- The Bristol Family Cycling Centre Go to https://betterbybike.info/cycling-centres/bristol-family-cycling-centre/ (opens new window) has opportunities for all ages and abilities to learn and practise their bike riding skills
- WECIL run youth groups that include sports, games and day trips Go to https://wecil.org.uk/children-young-people/out-about-bristol/ (opens new window)
Information about sports and activities for young people with a learning disability:
- Well Aware have an easy read guide called ‘Let's Get Active' Go to https://www.wellaware.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Lets-Get-Active-easy-read-guide.pdf (opens new window)
- Misfits Theatre Company run regular night clubs and creative workshops Go to https://misfitstheatre.com/ (opens new window)
- Brandon Trust have workshops for young people aged 13 to 18 Go to https://www.brandontrust.org/what-we-do/care-and-support/playlink/ (opens new window), where they have a range of activities
- WECIL run regular sessions for people with a learning difficulty about being active Go to https://wecil.org.uk/children-young-people/out-about-bristol/ (opens new window)
