Amazing Futures groups for young people
Our Amazing Futures youth groups provide a welcoming, inclusive space where young people aged 14 to 25 with additional needs can make friends, have fun, and be themselves. Your young person can find out much more on our dedicated Amazing Futures website for young people
The groups offer the chance to take part in activities like games, cooking and art, plus sessions with specific themes like boardgames or wellbeing workshops. There are also trained peer support volunteers (aged 18 to 25) available for young people to talk to.
Eligibility
Our fun, friendly groups are for young people in Brighton & Hove or East Sussex aged 14 to 25 with SEND or additional needs of any kind. For example autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, sensory impairments, or physical disabilities.
Our Amazing Futures youth groups provide a welcoming, inclusive space where young people aged 14 to 25 with additional needs can make friends, have fun, and be themselves.
The groups offer the chance to take part in activities like games, cooking and art, plus sessions with specific themes like boardgames or wellbeing workshops. There are also trained peer support volunteers (aged 18 to 25) available for young people to talk to.
Complex needs?
Our groups are open to any young person with SEND but we encourage young people to attend independently wherever possible. If your child has more complex needs that require specialised support, we offer the Amazing Futures holiday scheme in Brighton & Hove. Find out more about Amazing Futures holiday scheme.
What's on offer?
We offer a number of different groups and activities.
Brighton & Hove groups
Some groups we have run this year include:
- mixed gender youth group: make new friends, play games, arts and crafts
- young women’s group: games, art and other activities with other girls and young women
- youth voice group: a space where young people can share their ideas and opinions on things that affect them and their community
- boardgames group
- sports and games sessions
- walks for wellbeing
- art sessions
The specific groups on offer change frequently – to see what’s on offer at the moment check out our events page or download a timetable of upcoming groups. You can find this at the bottom of this page.
From time to time we also run one-off events like talent shows, picnics, and parties, or team up with other organizations to offer opportunities like nature sessions, retro gaming, cooking courses, and more.
We also run the Power Group in partnership with Speak Out. This is a small closed self-advocacy group for young people aged 16 to 25 with learning disabilities. It’s a confidential space where young people can talk with their peers about what’s going on in their life, and work on solutions to their problems together.
East Sussex groups
Some groups we have run this year include:
- Youth groups in Eastbourne, Heathfield and Peacehaven – a space for young people to talk about life, play games, try different activities, create art, have fun and eat snacks
- Young women’s group (Eastbourne) – a small welcoming group for young women to come and try new activities, talk about life and make connections in a friendly space
- Retro gaming group (Eastbourne) – a meet up where young people can play on Sega Mega Drives, Xbox 360s, retro Playstations and Nintendo Wiis
- Creative club (Eastbourne) – where young people can get together, learn new skills and try different creative arts
- Youth voice (East Sussex) – a space where young people can be unapologetically themselves and have their voices heard. They will meet other young people who are passionate about change and making a difference, and will have the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions on things that affect them and their community
- 20+ group (Eastbourne): A space for young adults to talk about life, play games, create art and eat snacks
The specific groups on offer change frequently – to see what’s on offer at the moment check out our events page or download a timetable of upcoming groups. You can find this at the bottom of this page.
We also run one-off events like parties and day trips. We sometimes team up with other organisations to offer special activities or short courses. Our young people are very community-minded, so we often get involved in local events, too.
We have an active WhatsApp community so our young people can keep in touch between sessions.
Scroll through our upcoming groups below. Or download our latest schedule as a PDF at the bottom of this page.
Youth voice
Amazing Futures is a youth-led project, empowering young people to have a place where their voices are heard and valued, where they can be unapologetically themselves.
As part of our youth voice work, we provide a space where young people can share their experiences and help shape services, both inside of Amaze and elsewhere.
How to join a group
If your young person is aged 14 to 25 with additional needs and is interested in joining a group, get in touch (or pass on these details if they would prefer to get in touch themselves):
If you live in Brighton & Hove, contact Jem on 07485 349 659 or email the Brighton team
If you live in East Sussex, contact Charlie on 07494 121 322 or email the East Sussex team
Jem or Charlie can tell you more and answer any questions you or your young person might have.
Or call the Amaze advice line on 01273 772289.
Please note: Places are sometimes limited, so we may not have a spot available right away, but get in touch and we’ll try to find a space as soon as we can.
Your young person will need to register before they can join the project. Spaces are free but they must book for each session. Click on the button below to register.
If you would prefer to complete a paper registration form, see the Downloads section at the bottom of this page for paper registration forms.
Volunteer with Amazing Futures
Volunteering as a peer supporter can be a good way for your young person to grow their confidence and learn new skills, as well as looking great on their CV.
