All the activity sessions have been designed to cater for the needs of children and young people with SEND and will enable children to have fun, make new friends and learn new skills outside of school or college.

The activities range from horse riding and assisted roller skating to cricket and activity days.

The successful grant funding recipients and their activities/workshops were: 

• Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust (Longtown, HR2) - Outdoor adventurous activities with an overnight stay for children and young people with SEND.
• Trewen Meadows Ltd (Ross on Wye, HR9) - Group horse riding, hands-on horse care and social activities for children and young people aged 5-18 years with SEND.
• Autism in Racing (Hereford, HR4) - Autism-friendly family race days at Hereford Racecourse.
• Little Play World (Countywide) - Pop-up role play SEND sessions in the local community.
• Close House Projects (Hereford, HR1) - Enhanced youth support work to enable more young people with SEND to access their local youth provision.
• Woodcraft Folk Biblins (Ross on Wye, HR9) - SEND activity days at Biblins Youth Campsite with residential summer camp.
• Herefordshire Cricket (Hereford, HR1) - Disability cricket programme for children and young people with physical, learning and sensory disabilities.
• The Core Skate Hereford CIC (Hereford, HR1) - Rollator accessibility devices to support children and young people to feel more confident when roller skating.
• Marches Family Network (Countywide) - Stay and Play style sessions for children and young people with SEND and their families.

More information can be found on the activity providers’ websites and through the online Talk Community Directory.

For information about local support and services for children and young people with SEND, visit the Herefordshire Local Offer webpage.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Congratulations to the successful grant applicants. We’re delighted to fund these activities so that children and young people with SEND can take part in inclusive fun activities in a safe and supportive learning environment.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, added: “The skills we learn in childhood play a vital role in shaping a young person’s future. I’m pleased to be building further on my successful partnership with Herefordshire Council to help ensure children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities have access to a range of safe and fun inclusive activities, alongside their families.”

Debbie Hobbs of Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire, said: “We warmly welcome this investment, which will make a real difference to SEND families by expanding access to inclusive, well‑designed activities that help children and young people feel confident, included and able to take part in their communities.”

Bobby Beevers, Founder of Autism in Racing, added: "With funding from Herefordshire Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner, we’ve delivered two Autism Friendly Race Days at Hereford Racecourse, supporting local SEND families to access community activity in a way that feels safe and manageable.

“The impact has been clear; families have told us they felt less stressed, more included, and able to enjoy a full day out together, something that isn’t always possible in busy environments. For some, this support made the difference between attending or not, while others said they would have had to leave early without it.

"By providing quiet spaces, clear information and trained support, we’re helping to reduce anxiety, prevent isolation and build confidence, enabling more families to feel part of their local community."