Frequently Asked Questions

The youth groups are for children and young people who are neurodiverse without learning disabilities.

Here is a list of things that are always available for you to use during youth group. These activities will either be out and ready for you to use, or you can ask a member of staff for the equipment. You can join in with others or start the play yourself. If you are uncertain or need help on what to do - please ask staff (or other young people) for help: Board games and card games - Uno, Dobble, playing cards Wii and Nintendo Switch (for multi-player games only. We discourage solitary use of screens) Interactive Screen (with WIFI) Indoor sports hall and equipment Drawing, and art and crafts. Comfy sofa area, and table and chairs.Outdoor area - sports court and garden Food and drink - feel free to send your young person in with a snack. There is a kitchen on site. Just chilling and chatting. We encourage and support socialing, friendships and independence. We try to avoid solitary play/use of devices as much as possible. These things happen occasionally, when they are agreed by the group: Special activities - for example a Christmas party or a movie nightCooking. Trips - we occasionally organise trips such as going trampolining, bowling, cinema, laser tag, and meals out. All trips and special activities are arranged in advance through discussion with the young people, and all trips are optional. There may be a cost for trips. We encourage our young people to suggest ideas for activities, trips and equipment. We help the young people to plan activities and events together.

Each youth group has a different age range. Our Friday Youth Group age range is 13 - 18 years old. Our Saturday Youth Group age range is 8 - 12 years old.

There are maximum 20 members in each youth group.

The youth groups are run at Wolvercote Hub (formerly Wolvercote Young People's Centre).

Before the youth group starts, staff will be having a private staff meeting and young people are not permitted to enter the building. (if you need the toilet then you can pop in and ask to use it). Parents/carers remain responsible for their child until the child has been signed in. At the beginning of the session (Senior - 6:30pm or Junior - 10am) young people are allowed to enter the building where the youth group leader will sign them in on the register. Parents/carers can now leave or can stay parked in the car park. When the session ends (Senior - 8:30pm or Junior - 12pm) the young person will be signed out by the youth group leader.

As a new member, we suggest that your young person attends for 1 hour as they find it easier than doing a whole session. Your young person can also bring something that may help them feel more comfortable for example headphones, a game, a book, or a fiddle toy. Our staff, volunteers and other members are happy to welcome and support new members. Parents/Carers can attend the first session to meet the staff and see the venue. However, we do encourage that parent/carers leave as soon as possible so that your young person can settle into youth group.

We encourage new members to attend at least 3 sessions. This gives your young person a chance to settle in and enjoy youth group. We ask that they stay longer each session working up to a full session. This helps reduce anxiety or pressure they might feel. If your young person has a game they would like to play with others then feel free to bring it to the youth group. If there is something that staff can do to help your young person feel more comfortable at the sessions then please let the youth group leader know.

If your young person cannot attend a session then we just ask that you contact the youth group leader and let them know immediately. This is so we can keep an eye on attendance.

The group is open during the term-time only therefore we are closed during all school holidays. We will give you advance notice and reminders of when we close and reopen. We very rarely cancel sessions, but if we do, we will inform you of the cancellation as soon as possible.