CAMHS London Activities

Last updated: September 2021

Girlguiding

  • Girlguiding is a charitable organisation which arranges activities for girls in the UK
  • Within Girlguiding, children take on adventurous activities, such as climbing, canoeing, sailing and orienteering and have the opportunity to get involved in camps and international events, including girl-only festivals and overseas development projects.
  • In local groups – called 'units' – girls complete badges and challenges that cover topics from circus skills, stargazing and scientific investigation, to first aid, camping and community action.
  • The units are:
  • They have groups in Goodmayes, Seven Kings, Chadwell Heath, Ilford, Romford
  • Costs and fees
    • Girlguiding charges membership fees to cover the costs of regular meetings and running our charity.
    • There are sometimes extra charges for special activities, camps and events.
    • Subs vary from area to area, so ask your local unit how much subs are and when they need to be paid.

Scouts

  • Scouts provide fun, adventure and skills for life and give young people, boys and girls, the opportunity to enjoy new adventures, experience outdoors and take part in a range of creative, community and international activities, interact with others, make new friends, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential
  • Activities include camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling and canoeing
  • Beavers: 6-8 years
  • Cubs: 8-10.5 years
  • Scouts: 10.5 – 14 years
  • Explorers: 14-18 years
  • Costs
    • Each group charges a fee (called subscriptions or subs) to cover the costs of running regular meetings – which covers venue hire, insurances and materials for activities.
    • There are sometimes extra charges for special activities, camps and events.
    • If you need help paying subs, please speak to your leader.
  • They have groups in Goodmayes, Chadwell Heath, Ilford

Kids Classes & Activities in Redbridge

  • These are the children and teenager’s classes and activities in and around Redbridge that have listed on Class4Kids
  • You can find activities for all age ranges
  • Activities include sports, such as football, gymnastics, dance and online coding
  • The classes have an average cost of £8 per session. Some groups allow you to have a trial session for free.
  • Website: https://www.class4kids.co.uk/classes/ilford.greater-london-redbridge

YMCA Romford

  • Youth Club
    • This youth club gives your child the chance to make new friends, develop physical, mental and social skills and most importantly, have lots of fun!
    • Activities include football, indoor cricket, dodgeball, and basketball
    • Sessions take on a Friday from 6.45pm to 9.00pm for children aged 8-14 years.
    • The club is supported solely by volunteers, some of whom once attended the club as children!
    • Website: https://ymcatg.org/ymca-romford-childrens-services/youth-club/
  • Holiday Club
    • Fun, active and affordable holiday programmes with a wide range of activities to suit all ages (from 3 – 14 years) plus lots of opportunities for indoor and outdoor exploration.
    • They have a variety of on-site activities as well as outings to local attractions, including sports and fitness activities, cookery sessions, arts and crafts and bowling.
    • They offer half (4 hours) and full-day holiday club sessions, as follows:
      • Morning session from 8.00am – 12.00pm £18 (includes a substantial snack)
      • Afternoon session from 1.00pm – 5.00pm £18 (includes a substantial snack)
      • Full day session from 8.00am – 6.00pm £34.99 (hot meal included)
    • Website: https://ymcatg.org/ymca-romford-childrens-services/holiday-clubs/
  • Telephone: 01708 766 211
  • Address: YMCA, 29 Rush Green Road, Romford, Essex, RM7 0PH
  • Email: info.romford@ymcatg.org

Ilford Sports Club

  • COVID-19 Update: Activities are suspended currently.
  • Ilford Sports Club aims to provide affordable sporting and recreational facilities for the local community and a venue for various events and functions
  • Contact: Terry Austen

o Telephone: 020 8514 8352 | 07818 000 643 (Hall Hire)

Frenford Clubs

  • A youth club providing activities related to sports, education, careers and general life skills.
  • There are activities for children aged 5 – 18 years, for girls and boys
  • All activities have a cost (ranges from £2.50 - £5)
  • Activities include badminton, football, basketball, table tennis, cricket and disability sports (variety of wheelchair sports and exercises)
  • Open 7 days a week (9AM to 10PM) – on Saturdays (9AM to 8PM)
  • Link for full timetable and costs: https://www.frenfordclubs.org/activity-timetable
  • Website: https://www.frenfordclubs.org/

Owl’s Play Centre

  • Owls Play Centre is a local indoor play venue packed to the rafters with fun and adventurous activity for children to the age of 12 years.
  • The sessions are for 1hour 45minutes. Sessions should be booked in advance via the booking website.
  • Website: https://visionrcl.org.uk/centre/owls-play-centre/

Coping Through Football

  • This project runs specific sessions for young people aged 12-17 years in Fairlop playing field for individuals from Redbridge. The session takes place on Mondays at 4-5:30pm, and are free. However, you will need a healthcare professional to complete a referral for you. If you do not have a healthcare professional, you can contact the coordinator to discuss your situation.
  • For more details, contact Through Football Project Coordinator, Sonia Smith:
  • Tel: 07538 101450
  • E-mail: sonia.smith@nelft.nhs.uk
  • Website: www.copingthroughfootball.org.

COVID-19 Update: Due to social distancing restrictions we are delivering football training sessions at Fairlop Oak Playing Field for a limited number of service users. We have adapted our delivery to focus on training and skills development in small groups, with no playing of matches. Attendance at sessions is by invitation only.

Hainault Youth Centre

COVID-19 Update: Activities are suspended currently. We offer a wide range of activities including:

  • After school clubs (activities include arts and crafts, music djing, sports, cooking and workshops)
  • Holiday activities, including day trips
  • DJ, MC and Music Tech come and learn to DJ and produce your own tunes with the latest software
  • Information, advice and guidance (including Young People friendly)
  • Membership is £4 a term.

Opening times and activities at Hainault Youth Centre from January 2020 - all closed at present

Contact us

Wanstead Youth Centre

COVID-19 Update: Activities are suspended currently.

These activities are for young people aged between 13 and 19 year olds. The facilities the centre has to offer are:

  • a large hall with a stage
  • gym
  • sports hall where you can play football, basketball
  • an IT suite
  • television room
  • canteen
  • sounds room
  • sensory room

Memberships for Open Access sessions are £4 per term.

Contact
Telephone: 020 8989 1711
Email: youthservice@redbridge.gov.uk Visit:
https://find.redbridge.gov.uk/kb5/redbridge/fsd/service.page?id=yAUOscnZDVg&familychannel=1_12_22

Essex Boys and Girls Clubs – Wanstead Youth Club

  • Essex Boys and Girls Clubs are working on a fully funded project and looking to expand youth provisions in Redbridge, offering new opportunities to young people in an all- inclusive environment
  • Open for all 10-25 year olds, with an emphasis upon catering for young people with disabilities.
  • An inclusive youth work curriculum will be in place, incorporating alternative activities such as music and drama with the promotion of a healthy lifestyle through sport and recreation.
  • Entry cost: £1 per person
  • Contact Callum Alexander

o Telephone: 01245 264783

FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

STAAR (supporting together those with Autism and Asperger’s in Redbridge)

STAAR is a group of people in and around the London Borough of Redbridge living with autistic spectrum disorder, their parents, families, carers and other supporters

  • Covid-19: all STAAR clubs and events are postponed until further notice (August 2021)
  • Offer various events and activities for different age groups
    • Game STAARS Club: weekly game club for young people (age appropriate games)
      • Young STAARS: runs Thur from 4:15-6:15 for children aged 11-17
      • Game STAARS: runs from 5:45-7:45 for young people aged 18+

The Redbridge Forum

A charity organisation based in Redbridge with an aim to improve the quality of life for people with a learning disability (including ASD) and their carers.

  • Projects:
    • Fun 4 All: This service provides 14 coach trips per year during school holidays (995 individual places); 12 other activities per year (792 places), with the aim to reduce isolation and provide family support.
      • The activities take place during Easter, Summer and Christmas half term holidays – Monday – Friday with a possibility that some activities might take place on a weekend; Coach trips will be approximately 10 hours, other activities 2 x hours.
      • The service is for children with a disability, living in Redbridge.
      • A referral is needed; can be self-referral, from schools, social workers.
      • Referrals from a Redbridge Social Worker are prioritised.
      • There may be a small charge for activities or days out.
      • There is a waiting period for this service.
      • Contact Olivia Morgan on 07719 045938
      • E-mail: redbridgeforum@hotmail.co.uk
    • On Target helps individuals with a learning disability or ASD over the age of 13 and/or their family/carers to move closer towards employment
      • Help in conducting a job sears, make a CV, interview skills, as well as support for those transitioning into adult services
      • For more information call 020 8478 7571 and ask for Chris, alternatively email Chris@redbdridgeforum.co.uk
      • Link: https://redbridgeforum.co.uk/assist-for-carers/
      • Location: 98-100 Ilford Lane, Ilford, Essex IG1 2LD
      • Website: https://redbridgeforum.co.uk/

Resources for Autism

A registered charity providing practical services for children and adults with a diagnosis of autism. This is a national service, so anyone living in Redbridge can access it.

They contain a team of trained autism specialist staff and volunteers that offer a range of support.

  • What they offer:
    • Play and Youth Clubs: for children aged 8-19
      • Transport cannot be provided
      • Runs on weekends and after school in various venues
      • They are age, ability and sometimes geographically specific and once your referral is received your child will be assessed, usually at a home visit, as to which group would best suit their needs.
      • There is a small charge and usually has a waiting list so you must fill out a referral form
    • Holiday Play Schemes: for young people ages 8-19 in several boroughs in London
      • One to one support is also available
      • Summer schemes: 1-week blocks based around a specific themes; Shorter schemes: run for one to two days
      • They do not provide transport
      • They are age, ability and sometimes geographically specific and once your referral is received your child will be assessed, usually at a home visit, as to which group would best suit their needs.
      • There are waiting lists so you must fill out a referral form and there is a small charge. No one is turned away for financial reasons.
    • Sunday Family Drop in takes place in North West London, on Sundays from 2pm- 5pm
  • Contact number: 02084 583 259
  • London office: 858 Finchley Road, London, NW11 6AB
  • Link to website: https://resourcesforautism.org.uk/

Cineworld cinema Autism friendly monthly screenings

  • Closest branch to Redbridge: South Woodford/Stratford Cinema
  • General information: they take place once a month (usually the last Sunday of the month).

Bookings are open the Tuesdays before.

  • Include sensory friendly adjustments, no trailers, trained staff, disabled access, freedom to move around, and ability to bring your own food and drink
  • You can also download a free social story template online
  • The autistic individual pays full price for the ticket but their carer or companion is eligible for a free ticket
    • For a free ticket the carer or companion must bring a valid Cinema exhibitors association card (CEA)—applications can be found through this link à https://www.ceacard.co.uk/
  • What to bring: a PIP, DLA, CEA card or note from a medical professional
  • There is NO age limit but do check the age limit of the film

ELHAP: offer Saturday clubs every fortnight throughout term time and run holiday playschemes in every school holiday for disabled and disadvantaged children from across East London and Essex areas.

Please note that the services and projects have been adversely affected by Covid19. Some projects are not currently running and other projects that are open are running a restricted service. Please contact ELHAP for further information about our services and Covid19 disruptions. (August 2021)

  • Free play, unstructured, opportunities in an adventure play setting
  • Sibling’s project: for siblings of disabled children. They can attend holiday playschemes and Saturday Clubs throughout the year at no cost

Requirements:

  • They are aged 6 years and over
  • They have a disabled sibling using ELHAP
  • They are non-disabled
  • School visits: ELHAP visits special and mainstream schools for morning and afternoon adventure play sessions throughout term time.
    • From Tuesday-Thursday each week.
    • Morning sessions: 10.00am-12.00pm
    • Afternoon sessions: 1.00pm-3.00pm.
  • Stay and play: for families that do not receive funding
    • Enables your child to attend ELHAP with a parent (not a carer) who are required to stay with their children and supervise them at all times
    • Costs £5 per day at ELHAP
    • Families first need to register with ELHAP and pre-book their days.
  • ELHAP Bridge Project for young people with Learning Disabilities and Looked After Children who have been excluded from education or are at risk of losing their school place.
    • Offer short term or medium-term placements
    • Main aim: to encourage and facilitate access back into education
  • Transition program: helping young people moving on from children’s services.
    • At the end of the project, you will be able to make informed decisions about your future including jobs, study, interests, hobbies and friendships.
  • Age range: 6-19 for the playground and 16+ for the day service
  • Link: https://www.elhap.org.uk/
  • Location: 119 Roding Lane North, Woodford Bridge, Essex, IG8 8NA
  • Contact number: 020 8550 2636
  • Email: info@elhap.org.uk

Sycamore Trust: supports individuals and families/carers of those for whom Autistic Spectrum Disorders and/or Learning difficulties are a part of daily life.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are providing a limited service (August 2021).

  • Youth club (8-13yr): for people with Autism; the club is based in Dagenham.
    • Offers a range of activities such as, arts and craft, cooking, sports evenings etc.
    • All the activities are carefully designed and structured to enable all members, whatever their ability, to engage and interact with the all the activities to the best of their individual ability. This is a mixed abilities group.
    • To attend: phone the office, a home visit / risk assessment will need to be completed with a parent / carer, the young person and one of our team members in attendance.
  • Youth Club (13-18): the club is based in Dagenham.
    • Activities are designed to help improve the attendee’s confidence, self-esteem and support them to move forward towards being more independent.
    • Offers a range of activities such as life skills course (including cooking a three course meal), learning about countries and cultures, trips to the community etc.
    • All the activities are carefully designed and structured to enable all members, whatever their ability, to engage and interact with the all the activities to the best of their individual ability. This is a mixed abilities group.
    • To attend please phone the office. Before attending any club, a home visit / risk assessment will need to be completed with a parent / carer, the young person and one of our team members in attendance.
  • Referrals must come via children's services
  • These services are provided for Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
  • For family services please use this website: http://www.sycamoretrust.org.uk/our- services/family-services
  • Location: 27-29 Woodward Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 4SJ
    • Closest to Redbridge: Autism Hub (Romford)
  • Email: enquiries@sycamoretrust.org.uk
  • Contact number: 020 8517 9317
  • Link: www.sycamoretrust.org.uk

Sensory Room: free sensory room for children with special needs

  • Open from Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm during term times
  • The time sessions depend on the demand of the room at the time, usually the room can be used for one hour maximum. You must contact before visiting.
  • There is NO set age limit for its use,
  • Contains sensory toys and activities for children and adults with special needs
  • Address: All Saints' Woodford Wells, Inmans Row, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 0NH
  • For bookings: 020 8504 0266 or 07752 445691; contact@asww.org.uk
  • Website: https://www.asww.org.uk/sensory-room

Kith & Kids supports families who have a child with autism or a learning disability to overcome their social isolation. They provide a variety of volunteer-supported projects and services, offering opportunities to learn new skills, make friends, go out and have fun. This service can be accessed by anyone, including families in Redbridge.

  • Family Support Service helps parents and siblings by introducing them to other parents and siblings as well as providing individual information and support.
  • Weekend Clubs (Fortnightly Saturday/Sunday afternoons, during term-time)
    • Workshops run by our professional creative therapists and activity leaders
    • This is currently taking place online.
  • Summer Camp (One-week residential camp at the end of August)
    • Each participant is supported by trained volunteers and together they build a community in which they play and work together on the necessary domestic tasks for a group to live away from home.
    • Potential participants must attend some other activities for at least a year before coming to the Summer Camp
  • D's Day is a special play day for children of all ages and abilities
    • Takes place on the first Sunday in June, 12.00pm - 4.30pm
    • All activities are free
    • Where: Coram's Fields, 93 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1DN
  • Social Development Projects link children with learning disabilities or autism with two trained volunteers (5 days in Christmas/Easter holidays, 10 days in the Summer holiday)
  • Address: Kith & Kids, The Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, London, N17 8DX
  • Tel: 020 8801 7432
    • Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm
  • Email: projects@kithandkids.org.uk
  • Website: https://clarahost.clara.net/www.kithandkids.org.uk/what-we-do.html

Children’s Centres in Redbridge