Community inclusion

2 disabled men and a disabled woman sitting at a table in a community centre. The woman is on the left, smiling and hugging the man in the centre. The man in the centre is wearing headphones and is dancing. The man on the right is leaning forward and smiling at the camera.

Community inclusion is often overlooked. It is a key part of transitioning into adult life. It is important to feel a sense of belonging and to contribute to society.

Community inclusion can come from:

making friends
joining local groups
going to events
working
volunteering

Being part of the community and participating in society helps young people in lots of ways. It builds confidence, develops social skills and prepares them for challenges in the future.

Preparing for adulthood

Your young person with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) will become an adult. They will move from children's services to adult services.

It is important to prepare yourself and your young person for this big change. This this can be exciting, upsetting and stressful.

Activities and clubs

There are several local organisations and activities helping young people and adults.

Local organisations

Bedfordshire and Luton have a wide range of local organisations offering activities and events for people with disabilities.

Embrace

Embrace (formerly Bedford and District Cerebral Palsy Society or BDCPS). Embrace provide support to families living with disabilities. They offer lots of activities like youth clubs and playschemes.

Support for adults - Autism Bedfordshire

Autism Bedfordshire have a variety of groups and services for members This includes daytime groups, evening groups, social groups, sports groups and workshops.

Inclusion Project

The Inclusion Project is an initiative that promotes a healthy, social and active lifestyle. They help facilitate inclusion into the local community.

Imagination Dance

Imagination Dance provides dance opportunities to people who rarely get them. They also host classes.

Activity clubs - friends of bright eyes

Friends of bright eyes have launched activity clubs for adults aged 18 years old and older.

YAWN Life and YAWN Club

YAWN Life offers day opportunities to people with learning disabilities in Luton. This includes social groups for young adults with learning disabilities aged 16 to 30 years old.

Last reviewed: 16 July, 2025

Ready steady go

Ready steady go is a programme to support young people transitioning to adulthood. The programme is made of up of 3 areas:

Getting ready – between 11 to 13 years old

Steady – between 14 to 16 years old.

Go – from 16 years years old

It can be used by the young person and their parents or carers collaboratively to support transitioning to adulthood.

Local offers

in Bedfordshire and Luton