Watford projects

The Fantastic Watford Project is designed for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 13 to 17, including those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. The focus is on developing communication and interpersonal skills, confidence and self-esteem in a safe and supportive environment.

Young people will get support from qualified SfYP youth workers, meet other young people with SEND in their area and learn skills to help them live more independently. SfYP Youth Workers also offer individualised support with emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, staying safe, nutrition and cooking, and managing money.

The project runs every week during term time.

The Watford Emotional Wellbeing project supports young people aged 13 to 17 to explore the importance of emotional and mental wellbeing and physical health. Young people will learn how emotional and mental wellbeing can affect physical, social and mental health. It enables young people to develop a positive attitude to change; empowering them to make the most of the opportunities available to them, while developing their knowledge and understanding and learning strategies for improving their wellbeing.

The Watford Raising Aspirations Project is for young people aged 12 to 16 who are home-schooled (elective home education) or not in formal education. It focuses on building interpersonal and teamwork skills, confidence and resilience. Through interactive workshops and activities, young people can explore topics such as managing their mental and physical wellbeing and setting goals for the future.

The Stand Up Holywell Project is primarily for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic young people aged 12 to 16 with an opportunity to share and discuss issues that affect them, including diversity, inequality, education and criminal justice in a safe and supportive space. We aim to give the young person the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions as they transition into adulthood.

 The Starburst Project is for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 18 to 25, including those with social and emotional mental health (SEMH) needs. The focus is on developing independent living/life skills.

Young adults will get support from qualified SfYP youth workers, meet other young people with SEND in their area and learn skills to help them live more independently. SfYP Youth Workers also offer individualised support with emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships, staying safe, nutrition and cooking, and managing money.

The project runs every week during term time. 

The Supporting You Project helps young people aged 12 to 16 to explore the importance of emotional and mental wellbeing and physical health. Young people will learn how emotional and mental wellbeing can affect physical, social and mental health. It enables young people to develop a positive attitude to change; empowering them to make the most of the opportunities available to them, while developing their knowledge and understanding and learning strategies for improving their wellbeing.

The PACT LGBT+ project is a supportive and inclusive environment where young LGBT+ people aged 13 to 17 can get accurate, impartial information and guidance on a range of issues including sexual orientation, gender identity, and related topics. The project prioritises safety and confidentiality, ensuring young people have a space to express themselves without fear of discrimination. Typically, the project will include strategies around face to face and online bullying, emotional and mental health support to develop skills in self-advocacy, assertiveness, coping mechanisms and self-care.

Positive Pathways is dedicated to supporting young people aged 12 to 16 at risk of exploitation, crime, antisocial behaviour or exclusion from their community. This project is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment in which these young people can get help with navigating challenges and building positive futures. Through engaging activities, the project equips young people to make informed decisions to prevent exploitation, involvement in criminal activities and exclusion from community resources.

Young people can drop into our 11-5 Hub at Watford Young People’s Centre or make an appointment for information, advice and support with issues such as mental health, sexual health (including free condoms and free chlamydia, gonorrhoea and pregnancy testing) relationships, personal safety, benefits and finances, housing and homelessness, drug and alcohol use and can get help with progressing into education, training or finding a job or apprenticeship. The support at our young people's centres is for young people aged 11-19, up to 25 for care leavers or those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

Get full details here: Watford Young People’s Centre

The Care Leavers Hub at Watford Young People’s Centre offers a drop-in session providing one-to-one support, sexual health services, and careers advice. Care leavers aged 16 to 25 can meet with a SfYP Advisers or Youth Workers in a relaxed environment to develop valuable life skills, independence, and confidence. 

Find out about other support for care leavers here: Support for care leavers and separated migrant young people.

Watford Youth Council provides young people aged 11 to 17 with opportunities to have their voices heard. Members design and develop social action projects in their local communities, determining priorities, developing action plans, writing funding bids, and are involved in local decision making. 

Members work closely with the Youth Strategy Partnership Group (YSPG) which is a forum for local service providers, voluntary and charity sector, and other key stakeholders to collaborate strategically and operationally. The groups work with young people to identify need, promote, deliver, and evaluate services for young people in each district, collaborating closely with local youth councils and forums.

This project provides young adults aged 18 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) opportunities to express their views on the issues that are important to them as well as contributing to the improvement of services and opportunities within their local communities and Hertfordshire.