Our 14 to 18’s Youth Group
Leeds Mencap’s 14 to 18 Club offers young people with a learning disability a chance to meet new friends, to get involved in a variety of activities, and to have fun in an environment that is both welcoming and safe.
The focus of the club is to develop skills, build confidence, support social skills and understanding relationships and help to support the transition to adulthood. These skills help young people engage well at school and prepare for the next steps beyond school. The aim is that young people are supported to learn and understand things that matter to all teenagers through the activities, such as keeping safe online and building healthy relationships.
At the start of each half term club members plan the activities for the coming weeks. Club members can choose from a quiet room (usually the Sensory Room) and a livelier room. Each half-term the group takes a trip out to a local venue for the chance to try new activities off-site such as bowling or climbing.
Past activities have included Mad-Hatter’s tea party, comic book-making sessions, cycling, pool and table tennis tournaments, biscuit and cake-making sessions, dancing, video gaming and movie-watching.
We have a Changing Places toilet and staff who undertake any training needed around personal care to make it possible for all young people to be included. We ask anyone thinking of joining a club to come for a visit first so that we can get to know more about what your young person needs to be able to come along safely and for you to understand how we will support them and keep them safe.
*With thanks to Warburtons Community Grants who have funded switch adapted resources for our youth clubs.
Key Information
Our 14 to 18’s Youth Group runs at The Vinery Centre from 6pm to 8pm.
The group runs every other Tuesday during the school term – dates will be provided half-termly in advance, and visual timetables of planned activities will be provided.
Costs and how to pay
We offer an initial taster session for free! After this, costs for 2024/5 are £6.00 per session – and these must be paid half-termly in advance.
Payments can be made:
- via BACs or Faster Payments,
- by debit/credit card over the phone or in person at The Vinery Centre,
- or by cheque.
Please contact us if you’d like to discuss payment further – including our hardship scheme.
How to join
The 14 to 18’s Youth Group is funded by Leeds City Council under Shortbreaks funding. You can be referred by school, social care or another organisation that is supporting your family, or you can apply directly yourself.
Our Youth Groups operate on a waiting list basis – complete our expression of interest form and we will be in touch!
Online forms
Additional support
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Leeds Mencap also runs a group for 8 to 16 year olds who are siblings of members of this group.
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We run playschemes over the school holidays for young people up to the age of 18.
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Our family services team are here to help, including discussing other services across Leeds. Call us on 0113 235 1331.
