What's on, events and activities

Find events and activities taking place in Plymouth for young people with special needs and disabilities.

For each school holiday, we publish a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) newsletter containing activities and events for families in the Plymouth local authority area.

SEND Activities and Events Newsletter from PIAS (PDF, 7 MB)(opens new window)

Argyle Ability Counts - Junior

Junior Ability Counts is a fun-filled football activity session for children aged 5-16 years with a disability. Play and train in an inclusive and fun environment where all abilities are welcome.

Sessions take place on Mondays, 5pm-6pm at Manadon Sports and Community Hub, St. Peter's Road, Plymouth, PL5 3FD (term time only). £4 per session, free taster session.

For more information, please email Alice.Young@pafc.co.uk

Argyle Ability Counts - Adults (Women And Men's Teams)

Argyle Community Trust offers disability football coaching sessions for adults (male and female) aged 16 and older who have a disability, whether physical or mental.

Adult Ability Counts takes place on Wednesdays 7:30pm-9pm at Manadon Sports and Community Hub, Plymouth, PL5 3FD.

Fun training sessions, inclusive of all abilities. No need to book, just turn up and play! Sessions are £4 per week; the first session is free.

For more information, please email Alice.Young@pafc.co.uk

Boundless

This is a youth group for young people who are on the autism spectrum, aged 10-21 years that runs weekly at Efford Youth and Community Centre. You do not have to have a diagnosis; you just need to be on the spectrum. The group also welcomes young people with other social disabilities, such as ADHD, global delay, and social anxiety.

The group is split into the following 3 groups:

Monday's, 4:30pm-7pn for ages 10-13/14
Wednesday's, 5pm-7pm for ages 13/14-17/18
Wednesday's, 7pm-9pm for ages 17/18+

For more information, please email sendyouthwork@plymouth.gov.uk.

Exim Dance: Women In Mind

Women in Mind is a health and well-being dance program specifically designed for those aged 18+ who identify as women. Free weekly sessions are taking place at Oxford House Creative Hub, 29 Manor Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, PL1 1TW.

Thursday's, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Friday's, 10am-11am

For more information, please email laura@eximdance.org.uk

Exim Dance: Young People's Timetable

There are free dance classes for young people at various locations in Plymouth.

For more information, please email classes@eximdance.org.uk

Hunter District Football Club

Hunter District Football Club offers disability football training sessions for 7-11-year-olds at Coombe Dean School in Plymstock on Fridays from 6-7pm.

Training will be held with Ross Hart, a Football Association Level 1 qualified disability football coach, in addition to his role of the Hunter District FC Welfare and Safety Officer. Alongside the coach, we aim to have at least one qualified SEND teaching assistant supporting parents and children at every training session.

Team players will also have the option to participate in monthly mini-tournaments commencing in September for those who wish to.

Hunter District FC looks forward to welcoming children and their families and encouraging them to develop through football.

For more information, please email mwelfare.hdfc@gmail.com

No Limits Youth Club

No Limits is a youth club for young people aged 11-25 years old who identify as having an additional need.

Sessions are free to attend and take place on Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm at Southway Youth Centre, Hendwell Close, Plymouth, PL6 6TB.

No referral is required. For more information, please email sendyouthwork@plymouth.gov.uk.

Oaks Rugby Inclusive

A non-contact special needs rugby-group catering for boys and girls from the age of 5 upwards is recognised by Devon Rugby Football Union (RFU) and has coaches who are DBS-checked. These sessions are tailored to help develop hand-eye coordination, confidence building, and social skills while showing that exercise can be fun. Parents are welcome to stay and join in.

Come and have a look at what we do, join in with our team members, and have some fun and laughter.

Sessions take place at Plymstock Albion Oaks Rugby Football Club, Horsham Plymouth Fields, Staddiscombe, Plymstock PL9 0DF.

For more information, please call 07887 244472 or via Facebook at Oaks Rugby Inclusive.

Player Ready Coding Club

Player Ready offers educational Minecraft coding clubs for children between 7 and 17 years old. These clubs are for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

Find out more about Player Ready

Plymouth Fusion Junior Wheelchair Basketball

Plymouth Fusion Junior Wheelchair Basketball (formerly known as Plymouth Raiders wheelchair basketball and Plymouth Storm) offers the following wheelchair basketball sessions at Marjon Sports Centre, Derriford Road, Plymouth PL6 8BH every Saturday:

Junior (6-11 year olds)- 11am - 12:30pm
Junior (11-16 year olds) - 12:30pm-2pm

For more information, please email info@plymouthfusionwheelchairbasketball.com

Plymouth Warriors Disability Football Club

A disability football club (mental health, physical, learning difficulties, ADHD, ASD etc.) for all genders, age 4 and up.

Get active, build confidence, make friends, and learn football skills with our FA-qualified coaches in a safe and comfortable environment.

Training sessions are at All Saints Academy, Honicknowle Lane, Pennycross, Plymouth, PL5 3NE.

Men's: Mondays, 9pm-10pm & Thursdays, 7pm-8pm
Youth: Thursdays, 6pm-7pm & Sunday's 12-noon-1pm
Ladies: Sundays, 12 noon-1pm

For more information, please email lukechilds.pwfc@yahoo.com

For more events and activities, please view the what's on, events and activities (opens new window) page of the Plymouth Information, Advice and Support website.

Keep up to date with the latest news and information by signing up for the PIAS mailing list.

Events and activities are also regularly posted on the PIAS Facebook site.

Why it's important for children with special needs and disabilities to participate in events and activities

From adapted sports to technology clubs to drama groups, participating in programs after school or on weekends provides wide-ranging benefits.

Social skills development

Activities offer a natural way for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to interact with their friends who share their interests. Whether collaborating on an art project, learning magic tricks in a small group, or being part of an inclusive football team, extracurriculars allow young people to practice communication, teamwork, and forming friendships organically.

Physical health and coordination

Sports, dance, swimming, and other active programs have clear physical benefits for children with disabilities. Playing a parasport like wheelchair basketball improves strength, coordination, and overall fitness. For those with mobility limitations, inclusive sports also nurture dexterity and gross motor skills. An active lifestyle contributes to better health outcomes.

Discovering passions and potential interests

From animal care to debate clubs to mechanics, hobbies and educational programs expose children to diverse vocational possibilities matching their evolving interests. Adaptive activities provide a safe way to explore what sparks their natural curiosity and passions, which can inform future educational or career paths.

Fostering increased confidence

As children master new skills like sign language, achieve swimming goals, or perform on stage, their self-confidence blossoms. Accomplishing milestones - big and small - builds pride and emotional resilience. Finding activities they excel at promotes courage to try new challenges.

Building community connections

Joining local charity fundraisers, theatre productions, or wheelchair tennis clinics allows children with disabilities to connect with the wider community. It provides a sense of belonging, inclusion, and being supported by a network of peers.

Have fun!

Plymouth's Local Offer is organised into four main categories covering the following age ranges:

Plymouth Local Offer homepage

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