News from Services for Young People, October 2025
Free October half term activities at Hudnall Park for young people with SEND
During the October 2025 half term holidays Services for Young People (SfYP) is offering free adventurous outdoor activities for young people aged 13-19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with social, emotional and mental health needs. All the activities develop social, emotional and physical skills in a safe and supportive environment. Young people can learn archery, have fun tackling the challenge course, zip across the valley on the zip line, play board games, explore nature in the beautiful woodlands and create their own nature journal.
Putting young people at the heart of service design and delivery
As part of Hertfordshire County Council’s commitment to ensuring that we are listening to the voices of young people with SEND and that they are involved in shaping and improving services to meet their needs, in 2024 SfYP set up ten new youth councils exclusively for young people with SEND. During the 2025 summer term, the youth council members were involved in many consultations, working with senior leaders and professionals to review and give their feedback on a wide range of services across education and healthcare. With the support of SfYP Youth Workers, they also discussed issues important to them, learned new skills and developed their knowledge, confidence and self-esteem.
Raising awareness of SfYP’s support for young LGBT+ people at Herts Pride
Over 100 people visited the SfYP stand at this year’s Herts Pride event in Watford. They were keen to hear about the award-winning SfYP LGBT+ youth work projects that run across Hertfordshire every week, as well as the one-to-one support available at our 11-5 Hubs.
Sexual Health Week 2025: empowering young people with accurate information about sexual health and contraception
While many sexual health services are now available online, SfYP continues to provide face-to-face individualised support specifically for young people. Our trained Advisers and Youth Workers don’t just give young people access to free contraception and testing, they help increase their understanding of healthy relationships and give them the confidence to look after their sexual health and keep themselves safe.