In this issue:
A warm welcome to our new Experts by Experience
Following a tough recruitment process with a high number of applicants, we're pleased to announce that we've increased the number of Experts by Experience from 4 to 8. To be an Expert by Experience you have to be a young person aged 18-21 who has lived experience of SEND as a child or young person.
Our new Experts - Callum, Freddie, Emma, Timi and Will - will be joining Dom, Ellis and CJ and will work with various teams in the council to offer their unique perspective and to work with us to ensure that SEND services for children and young people are always designed with the child or young person at the centre.
Meet our new Experts by Experience
Get an introduction to SEND services and support in Hertfordshire - join the Local Offer webinar
Want to know more about the SEND Local Offer website and how it can help you find support for your family? 
Sometimes, it's hard to know what support is out there, and where to begin. In this webinar, a friendly face from the SEND Local Offer team will give you a brief tour of the support and services outlined on the website, so you get an idea of what exists and how to access it.
Tuesday 29 April at 8pm - 8.45pm - online via Teams
My experience with Autism Hertfordshire by our Supported Intern, Louis (ages 16+)
Hello everyone, my name is Louis, and I am a supported intern with the Hertfordshire County Council.
I am here to present to you a blog I created about a service that I am a member of called Autism Hertfordshire. This blog will share with you about my positive experience and some knowledge with the service.
This link will take you to the Autism Hertfordshire blog I created
Celebrating the Neurodiversity Inclusion programme for schools (all ages)
Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programme (PINS) is a programme funded by the Department for Education, which was set up in March 2024. It aims to improve the inclusion of children and young people with neurodiversity in mainstream primary settings.
Herts Police scheme for people with communication difficulties
Last year Hertfordshire police have introduced a new scheme to help people with communication difficulties via their 'Pegasus' card scheme. You can register for free to share information about your communication needs or disability with the police. They will keep this on a database, and if you ever need to be in contact with them, they can find this information, so you don't have to repeat all your details.
Learn more about the Pegasus card scheme - for people with communication difficulties.
Have your say in making Hertford Castle grounds more accessible (all ages)
Do you live in or around Hertford? Recently Hertford Town Council has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund to plan improvements to the grounds at Hertford Castle.
They want to find out more about how the space is currently used specifically how often the grounds are visited, what prevents people from coming more, and what changes people would like to see. The information received will help the application for more funding, which we will be submitted at the end of May 2025.
They particularly want to hear from families as well as people with special educational needs and accessibility issues, including individuals and carers.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. By completing the survey you could win a £25 One4all voucher!
Read more about Greenspace Renewal at Hertfordshire's Hertford Castle.
Events
View all courses and activities
View all Easter clubs, events and activities
Herts Inclusive Theatre - Inclusive workshop
Wednesday 16 April, 3-5pm, South Mill Arts Centre, Bishops Stortford
A bespoke workshop of drama, games, and creative activities specifically aimed at children and teenagers (aged 6-12) with additional learning needs.
SEND party night
Saturday 12 April, 7.30pm - 12am, Wembley
A fun family-friendly club night designed especially for young adults with SEND.
Carers in Herts, online face yoga
Wednesday 9 April, 7pm, online
A unique self-care class with a combination of gentle breathing exercises, guided face yoga and a self face massage to release tension and stress on the face.