In this issue:
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (24 Feb - 2 March)
For Eating Disorders Awareness Week (which runs from 24 Feb - 2 March), we're raising awareness of ARFID - Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
ARFID is an eating disorder where a person avoids certain foods or quantities of food, leading to a restricted intake. Those with ARFID might avoid foods due to sensory preferences (like taste, texture, or smell), fear of negative consequences (such as choking or vomiting) or simply a lack of interest in eating. It can lead to poor nutrition, and significant impacts on physical and mental health.
Anyone of any age can have ARFID. It occurs in children, teenagers and adults. Although people with ARFID may lose weight or have low weight, ARFID is not driven by concerns about body image or weight. ARFID is more common in those who are autistic, or have ADHD.
View the ARFID resources on the Local Offer
Hertfordshire's HAPpy Camps to continue in 2025 (ages 4-16)
We're pleased to announce that funding for HAPpy Camps (our holiday programme for children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals) has been extended for another year.
HAPpy camps will run every weekday during the Easter holidays, from Monday 7 until Thursday 17 April. Families of eligible children, in receipt of benefits related free school meals, will receive their booking codes from their schools after February Half Term. As before, there will be SEND specific camps catering for a variety of interests.
Book a HAPPy Camp when bookings open on Thursday 13 March.
Paid opportunity for a young person to shape SEND services in Hertfordshire (ages 19-25)
Katie, one of our Experts by Experience, has now reached the upper age limit for this role. We are very sad to see her go and thank her for all that she has contributed to the team. This means that there is an opportunity for a new Expert by Experience. We are looking for a confident young person aged 19 - 25 who has lived experience of special educational needs and or disabilities. They must be able to advocate for all children and young people with SEND and use their own lived experience to support the improvement of SEND services and to help us in making SEND everyone's business. 
If this sounds like a good opportunity for a young person you know, find out more about the Expert by Experience role (pdf 157kb).
To apply, you will also need to fill in and submit this criminal record declaration form (word doc 91kb).
The closing date for applications is midday on 3 March 2025. But don't worry if you can't apply this time - there will be more opportunities coming up soon!
Disability energy support from SCOPE (all ages)
Sometimes life can cost more for disabled people. If you, or a loved one, are disabled and worried about energy and water costs, Scope can offer free advice and help you get the support you're entitled to.
They can offer free personalised consultations to help you with:
- managing energy and water debt
- accessing benefits, grants and trusts
- registering with the Priority Services Register so that you get additional help from your utility companies and are prioritised if there's an outage
- staying carbon monoxide safe
- understanding your gas and electricity bills
Open Monday to Friday from 11am to 4pm.
Events
View all courses and activities
Inclusive Job Fair, Watford (ages 16+)
Wednesday 12 March, 10am - 3pm, Watford Leisure Centre (bookable quiet hour 12-1pm)
This Job Fair will be aimed towards adult residents in Watford with learning and physical disabilities, sensory needs, neurodiversity and mental health conditions. Come along and meet advisors, and talk to local employers.
Junior Wheelchair Basketball (ages 8-11 and 12-15), Royston
Mondays 4-5pm (8-11) and 5-6pm (12-15), Royston Leisure Centre
Come along to pay-and-play junior wheelchair basketball sessions with excellent coaching for only £5 per session.
Supporting Links - talking ASD / ADHD (teenagers) - Online
Tuesday 4 March at 7.30pm (online)
Run by highly experienced facilitators, counsellors and parenting practitioners, this online workshop will help parents to understand teenage brain development and how it affects a child with ASD / ADHD.
Coffee Morning for parents/carers of children struggling to attend school
Tuesday 11 March, 9.30am, The Pioneer Club St Albans
This coffee morning is aimed at parents and carers who have a child in year groups 5 -11, who are not attending school as a result of emotional, mental health and wellbeing issues - the children and young people can also attend.