School Holiday & Weekend Activities

A Sportworks Short Break provision includes a wide variety of sports, games, and fun activities for children & young people with SEND. Examples include dodgeball, parachute games and team building activities. The sessions are for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years and run afterschool, alternate Saturdays and during school holidays.

Eligibility:
This activity is for children and young people who meet the targeted short breaks eligibility criteria:

• 5 - 18 years old
• Southwark resident
• With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so

Support Provided: 
Our general support ratio is 1:4 but we aim to be as inclusive as possible so please get in touch if your child requires a higher level of support. To ensure we are able to provide a fun, safe and rewarding activity, please provide as much information as possible when making the booking request.

Locations: 
Damilola Taylor Centre, 1E Surrey Grove, London, SE15 6DR 

Spa Bermondsey, Monnow Rd, London SE1 5RN 

St George's Church of England Primary School, Coleman Road, London, SE5 7TF

Contact:
To book please click here to visit the Short Breaks booking page
SportWorks Website: sportworksltd.co.uk/

Our inclusive holiday and Saturday sessions provide a safe and supportive environment for SEND children and young people. Whether it’s arts and crafts, drama, dance or inclusive sports – our superstar sessions are the place to be in Southwark over the holidays.

Our experienced team is focused on delivering sessions that promote fun and friendships.  

Our sessions are pre-bookable only, so we can ensure we can provide an excellent level of care. Our general staff ratio is 1:3 but we also offer some 1:1 spaces at each session.

Dates
Please click to view Southwark’s short breaks booking website for upcoming dates.

Location
Spa School Camberwell, 150 Southampton Way London SE5 7EW

Support provided: 
Our 1:3 staff-to-child ratio ensures we can support a wide range of disabilities and additional needs in our accessible venues.  Although we typically offer a staff ratio of 1:3, we have listened to you and worked in partnership with the local authority to offer a limited number of spaces for children with higher needs.  An assessment will be required and spaces are subject to availability.

Eligibility criteria:
This activity is for children and young people who meet the targeted short breaks eligibility criteria:

• 8 - 19 years old
• Southwark resident
• With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so

Contact:
To book please visit Southwark’s short breaks booking website

You can also contact Faye Makhlouf if you have any questions.
P: 0203 375 9045  
M: 07595 304 532 
E: faye@endorphins.uk  
W: www.endorphins.uk 

SENsational Short Breaks are available on weekends and during school holidays for children with additional needs and disabilities. They are delivered by Southwak’s Children and Family Centres and include arts & crafts, sensory play, outdoor activities, circle time and much more.

SENsational ‘Short Breaks’ are sessions that enable parents to drop off their children and take a short break.

If you are looking for ‘Stay & Play’ sessions, including sessions for younger children, please click here to visit our website 

Eligibility criteria:
Short break sessions are for children and young people who meet the targeted short breaks eligibility criteria:

• 5 - 11 years old
• Southwark resident
• With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so

Contact:
To book please visit Southwark's short breaks booking website

Please contact Idalina Tomas if you have any questions
Tel: 07495817668 

Dates & locations
Please click here to visit Southwark's Short Breaks booking page for upcoming dates.

Whippersnappers provides a bespoke service to families who have children with complex needs.  All children and young people attending Whippersnappers are provided with a one-to-one support worker. We provide medically trained staff who are able to administer rescue medication and to facilitate gastro feeding.

Activities can include swimming in the hydro-therapy pool, arts and crafts, cooking, messy play, water play, drum circles, sensory music & story-telling, outdoor play, circus skills, bubbles, balloons, dressing up, discos and talent shows, 16+ social club.

Eligibility:
This activity is part of Southwark’s enhanced targeted short breaks offer. This means it is specialist. The enhanced eligibility criteria include all of the general criteria plus:

• Must attend a special school (in or out of borough) and/or be open to the All Age Disability Service in Southwark
• Severe or complex learning disability, physical disability and/or health condition

Targeted short breaks criteria:

• 5-19 years old
• Southwark resident
• With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so

Support Provided: 
Support is provided at a standard ratio of 1:1 to meet the needs of children and young people with additional support requirements.

Locations:

Activities are delivered across multiple sites

Contact:

Access to this service is via referral from the All Age Disability Team or your child’s special school. For more information:
Email: thriveto25@southwark.gov.uk
Website: www.whippersnappers.org 

Resources for Autism's Saturday club and holiday schemes provide a safe, inclusive space for autistic young people to engage in fun activities, build friendships and develop social skills. Experienced professionals provide support and guidance, while parents and caregivers can take a break. Activities include:

• Holiday and weekend groups for autistic children and young people aged 11-18.
• Social and skill building groups and 1:1 mentoring for autistic people aged 16-25.
• Face to face and virtual groups and workshops for parents and carers. Find out more here.

This is a specialist scheme to support young people who display behaviours that challenge.

Join us for sensory activities, games, music and more. One of the key goals of the scheme is to help autistic young people build positive relationships with their peers.

Eligibility:
This activity is part of Southwark’s enhanced targeted short breaks offer. The enhanced eligibility criteria include all of the general criteria plus:

• Must attend a special school (in or out of borough) and/ or open to All Age Disability Service in Southwark

• Severe or complex learning disability, physical disability and/or health condition

General targeted short breaks criteria:

• 11-19 years old
• Southwark resident
• With an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Unable to access universal services and/ or require additional support to do so

Support Provided: 
Support is provided at a ratio of 1:1+ to meet the needs of young people who display behaviours of concern or distress.

Locations:
Activities are delivered across multiple sites

Contact:
Access to this service is via referral from the All Age Disability Team or your child’s special school. For more information email:

E: thriveto25@southwark.gov.uk
W: www.resourcesforautism.org.uk

Autism Voice run a variety of programmes for children and young people. This includes fun and exciting food and play activities that work to improve communication and social skills, fine and gross motor skills and happiness and social opportunities for young people.

Who is it for: Autistic and neurodivergent children and young people 

Activities include: Food Matters workshop, arts and craft, indoor and outdoor sports and play activities, sensory play, messy play, water play, 16+ social club, holiday activities

Book here: Book Autism Voice Activities Here

Further information: Please email Autism Voice autismvoice1@gmail.com or call 07460 399290.

Website: Autism Voice Website

CareTrade in association with Southwark Council has some exciting events lined up. These events are designed to support social connection, well-being and personal development through a variety of fun and meaningful activities for young Neurodivergent people. 

Please visit the Care Trade booking page on the Eequ webpage for details of upcoming sessions and to book your place:

Southwark Short Breaks - Eequ

Eligibility:
These activity days are open to Southwark residents only.
Click the links above for further information.
Please register on the website to book any events, and pay the fee shown in the system to take part in each event you choose.

 A family cycling session at Herne Hill Velodrome for 11-19 year olds with SEND and their families. A range of bikes are available for adults and children with or without disabilities. 

Location:
104 Herne Hill Velodrome, London

Booking: Wheels for Wellbeing Booking Page

Every Step Dance Project

Ages 9-16 

For:

*  young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

*  need to be able to participate independently, without the need for a one-to-one support worker or parent

*  9- 16 years old

*  interested in dance

*  Southwark Resident

Location:

The Dockland Settlements,
400 Salter Road, 
SE16 5AA

Contact:

More info and registration details here: Booking Form

Email dannica.b@docklandsettlements.org.uk and/or veroko.dance@gmail.com

Spectrum Socials runs therapist-led social events for autistic children and their families, focused on building friendships, connections and social skills.

• Children are placed in small groups, based on age and communication level, to ensure social compatibility. 
• We offer therapeutic girls groups for adolescents that are struggling with social anxiety, involving a combination of online and in person sessions.
• Subsidised places are provided for lower-income families to make our activities accessible to all. 
• We support parents and carers by fostering community, connection, and peer support at events and though online platforms. 

Examples of events: Trampolining and play, bowling and pizza, Paradox Museum and lunch, soft play and lunch, Hyde Park pizza and pedalos. 

Where: Events around London

When: School holidays and weekends

Who for: Autistic and neurodivergent children from 4 - 18 years old. 

What happens: Each event is typically for around 6 children, run by a therapist or a behaviour analyst. Event helpers with training and experience in working with autistic children will also be present. Socials stories are sent to children before the events to ensure they feel prepared. Parents are invited to join a WhatsApp group with those coming, to help build lasting connections. 

Website: https://spectrumsocials.co.uk/ 

Register with us here: Booking Form

Girls Group: https://spectrumsocials.co.uk/girls-group

Instagram: www.instagram.com/spectrumsocials.cic

What are the Early Explorer morning sessions?

These quieter, out‑of‑hours events are designed for families with children with special educational needs, neurodivergent and disabled children, offering a calmer museum experience with reduced noise, a quiet space and sensory bags.

We run one session every half term and an additional one during the Christmas season.

All of our SEND-friendly events for families can be accessed on our website:

Families with SEND | London Transport Museum

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/depot-open-days/powering-london

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/depot-open-days/design-classics

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/early-explorer-morning-along-piccadilly-line

Our Summer Playscheme for children and young people aged 6–11 and 11–16 will run from 28th July to 20th August 2026. There will also be some exciting trips during the programme.

• Location:
  Rathfern Primary School
• Times:
  10:00am to 4:00pm
• Cost:;
  £2 per day

Download the flyer here: Deaf Playscheme 2026 ^{(webp, 182kb)}

The Southwark Youth Summer Programme is now live and open for sign-ups!

The programme is free and open to young people aged 11–19, or up to 25 for young people with SEND, who live, attend school or college, or work in the London Borough of Southwark.

Parents, guardians and carers can register young people by scanning the attached QR code and completing the online registration form. Alternatively, young people can visit any of our three youth centres for support with registering:

• Brandon Youth Centre

• Damilola Taylor Centre

• New Venture Youth Centre

This summer's programme offers a wide range of fun, engaging, and enriching activities, including sports, creative workshops, wellbeing sessions, day trips, and opportunities to meet new people across our youth provisions.

Brandon Summer Programme 2026 ^{(docx, 1.8mb)}

Damilola Taylor Centre Programme 2026 ^{(docx, 1.4mb)}

New Venture Youth Centre Programme 2026 ^{(docx, 1.6mb)}

Registration and QR Code ^{(pdf, 103kb)}