Butterflies Club
Supporting SEND Children Through Community Activities
In 2025, Butterflies Clubs introduced a new approach to their Essex ActivAte delivery by focusing more on community trips and real-world activities rather than enclosed club sessions. This shift has helped children and young people with SEND become more confident, more active and more included in everyday community life. With support from Active Essex and the HAF programme, families who would not usually be able to access holiday clubs were able to take part in a wide range of fun, active and meaningful experiences.
Butterflies have taken part in Essex ActivAte since 2020, but in 2025 they focused on bringing groups from Rochford, Basildon and Brentwood together to access a variety of trips. These included outdoor adventure days at Thriftwood Scout Camp, a Gym & Swim experience at James Hornsby School, farm visits, and restaurant outings. These activities help children learn life skills, manage social situations, practice communication and build independence.
Many SEND families avoid community settings because they worry about their child’s behaviour or reactions. By delivering thoughtful planning, personalised therapeutic strategies and clear safety routines; such as swimming briefings using colouring sheets and rhymes; Butterflies created safe, supported and enjoyable experiences for every child.
Food and nutrition are also a key part of the programme. Whether eating out, enjoying packed lunches, or cooking at community venues, children are encouraged to explore food in a calm, social environment. For some, this has led to life-changing improvements, such as one child gaining weight for the first time and learning to cook their own “Butterflies Soup” at home.
In Easter 2025, Butterflies hosted Heart Global for a large‑scale interactive performing arts experience during week one of the Essex ActivAte programme. This followed a successful mini‑workshop pilot in 2024, which tested whether the children Butterflies support could manage a full session. The response exceeded expectations, with children engaging fully and gaining visible confidence through performance and creative expression.
What made this experience especially powerful was the opportunity for Active Essex to be present throughout the delivery. Attending the dress rehearsal and visiting sessions at James Hornsby Gym & Swim, Thriftwood Scout Camp and Barleylands allowed us to see the programme in action and understand its impact first‑hand. Experiencing the atmosphere, and seeing children perform with confidence and pride, enabled meaningful conversations about impact, innovation and future opportunities. Being on the ground reinforced the value of strong partnerships and demonstrated how trying new approaches together can lead to exceptional outcomes for SEND children.
Key learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, to focus on ways to improve in the future
Planned Community Experiences
SEND children engage best when activities are planned with clear expectations.
Personalised Support
Tailored strategies reduce anxiety and build confidence.
Food Experiences
Supported food activities develop independence and life skills.
Staff Support
Skilled staff help manage sensory and social challenges.
Quiet Spaces
Breakaway spaces support regulation and participation.
Partnerships included in this project:
- Heart Global
- Thriftwood Scout Camp
- James Hornsby School
- Barleylands
- Local restaurants and cafés
- Community venues including Presidents Hall and Knights Way Community Centre
Active Essex's Role
Active Essex’s support has allowed Butterflies to expand their trip based delivery model across Essex, offering more children access to meaningful community experiences. Families have also gained confidence to take their children out more often, seeing how well they can manage with the right support. This approach has helped children who previously struggled in public spaces to thrive. For some, the change has been transformational, one young person who once found outings overwhelming is now preparing for his first ever family holiday.
Butterflies plan to continue growing their community‑based offer, providing an even wider range of trips and activities across Essex. They also hope to strengthen their successful partnership with Heart Global, allowing more children to benefit from creative and confidence‑building workshops.
Work will continue to build stronger links with restaurants and venues to improve allergy‑safe eating options during trips. Above all, Butterflies will remain focused on supporting children’s confidence, communication, life skills and independence as they move through childhood and into young adulthood.
