Things to do

Finding an activity

Some activities are run especially for children and young people who are disabled or have special educational needs while others offer support for disabled children to take part.

Web links

• The Family Information Directory - a searchable list of clubs and activities. Go to the Families section and use your postcode in the search boxes at the top to find activities local to you.
• Activities Oxfordshire  –  activities for young people aged 13-19 (up to 25 with learning difficulties and disabilities).
• Advice and information for young people in Oxfordshire - oxme.info
• Short breaks - Specialist commissioned provider activities range from an hour a week to a residential holiday.  Children and young people can also attend mainstream activities.
• Integrated Children’s Services – the new Family Solutions Service for children and families delivers services from eight children and family centres. Some of the centres provide activities for children and young people. There are additional centres operating in the community.

Help with joining in

Sometimes families and children and young people with additional needs, need extra support to have fun with their friends.  Some of these support ideas are given below.  There are also some specialist commissioned providers providing “out of school” activities for children and young people with additional needs. Please go to the Short Breaks webpage to find out more information on these providers, where they run their activities and the funding eligibility criteria.

Short breaks

• The Early Years Inclusion Support (Short Breaks) Scheme (under 5s)
• Inclusion Support (Short Breaks) Scheme (5-17 years)
• Enabler Support Scheme (0-17 years)

The schemes above all aim to promote inclusion and remove the barriers to play, childcare and leisure for disabled children and young people.  There are also commissioned providers who provide out-of-school activities across the county. Find out more information on these providers and eligibility criteria for the funding.

Max card - discount scheme

The Max Card is a discount card for families of disabled children and children with additional needs. Families simply show their Max Card upon entry to a venue to obtain free or discounted admission.

It is designed to help families save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys and lots more.

The Max card is free to families in Oxfordshire -  it has been funded by Oxfordshire County Council working in partnership with Action for Carers Oxfordshire.

To register, please go to the Carers Oxfordshire webpage.

Please visit www.mymaxcard.co.uk, where you can see a full breakdown of available attractions in Oxfordshire and across the country.

CEA cinema card

The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA).  The card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.  Check eligibility and apply on the website.

Travel buddy scheme and more

• My Life My Choice runs a travel buddy scheme to help with learning to use public transport independently. They also offer other services including Gig Buddies and Computer Buddies – all for adults with a learning disability.

Accessible toilets and equipment

Changing places has a map of toilets that are fully accessible and have the equipment that disabled people may need.  Changing places facilities are also available at

• The ICE Centre, Langdale Hall, Market Square, Witney, OX28 6AB.  Open 9am – 4pm (Mon-Fri); 10am – 3pm (Sat).  Please come to our reception desk on arrival.
• Oxford Sailing Club, Cumnor Rd, Oxford, OX2
• The Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children, Greys Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 1QR (please phone 01491 575575 in advance)
• Oxford Shopmobility Unit, Westgate Car Park Off Norfolk Street, Oxford, OX1 1NT.