SEND Services and Wellbeing Hub for Every Visitor

Supporting individuals and families with SEND is at the heart of what we do at Horizon Leisure Centre. Alongside our sensory resources, accessible facilities, and inclusive classes, our Horizon Wellbeing Hub provides health and wellbeing programmes that complement our SEND initiatives, giving everyone more ways to stay active, healthy, and confident. Whether it’s specialised staff training, social stories, or quiet spaces, our goal is to make every visit positive, supportive, and enjoyable.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
We’re proud to be part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. Many conditions, disabilities, or chronic illnesses are not immediately visible. Wearing a Sunflower lanyard is a simple way for visitors to show they might need a little extra patience or understanding.
Our team is trained to recognise the lanyard and respond appropriately. This might mean offering a quiet space, adapting a class, or simply providing reassurance. A small gesture like this can make a big difference in how supported someone feels during their visit.

Making your Visit More Comfortable
Our Sensory Borrow Bags are free to use for anyone who might find them helpful. We’ve recently added new resources, including Communication Cards, a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard, and a soft play social story. These SEND items support communication and help children enjoy their visit in a calmer, more predictable way. Our bags are avaliable at reception to take around with you.
To help make visits even less daunting, we’ve introduced THRIVE Social Stories. These visual tools use simple language and images to explain what will happen during a session, what is expected and how someone might respond. They’re designed to reduce anxiety and help children feel confident and independent when joining activities.
Accessibility at Horizon
Physical access is just as important as resources. Our centres include ramps, wide-access entrances, accessible changing areas, clear signage, and adaptable classes. Let us know in advance, and we can tailor sessions to meet individual needs. You can also explore our dedicated Accessibility at Horizon page, which includes detailed information about facilities and a virtual tour to give families confidence before visiting.

In-House Autism Training
At Horizon, all staff receive bespoke autism awareness training from our Community Inclusion Officer, Juliet Bowskill. Recognised with the Horizon Academy Stamp, the training equips staff to take a person-centred approach, use practical strategies, and adapt communication and environments to better support customers and colleagues.
Juliet also shares this expertise with the wider community in Havant Borough Council. Most recently, she delivered Horizon’s training to local clubs and groups, with Energise Me contributing a focused session on engagement tools. The sessions gave participants clear, practical strategies tailored to their roles, greater confidence to support both customers and colleagues, and a chance to see Horizon’s PRIDE values and HELLO behaviours in action.

SEND Health & Wellbeing Fayre
This month, Horizon Havant hosted the SEND Health & Wellbeing Fayre, connecting families with local services, support networks, and inclusive activities.
Over 20 exhibitors joined, including MHST, HPCN, Hampshire Healthy Families, MIND, WAVE Youth Group, M.A.D Inclusion Discos, Making Space, and more. Families had the opportunity to meet professionals face-to-face, ask questions, and discover resources to help them thrive. We’re so grateful to everyone who took part, including our exhibitors, partners, and families. A special thank you to our Community Inclusion Officer, Juliet Bowskill, for leading this fantastic initiative.
We’re also proud to support Hampshire Parent Carer Network (HPCN), which provides safe, supportive spaces for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0–25 with additional needs. This October, HPCN launched their first Havant Borough group at Horizon Havant, strengthening local connections for families in our community.
Spotlight on Our Community Inclusion Officer Juliet Bowskill
As Horizon’s Community Inclusion Officer, Juliet Bowskill plays a vital role in enhancing community engagement and encouraging participation in physical activity for people of all ages and abilities. Through outreach at community events, partnership work and tailored programmes, she helps to reduce barriers and create meaningful opportunities for everyone.
Juliet focuses on understanding the challenges faced by individuals and families, developing creative initiatives and advocating for underrepresented voices. Her work ensures Horizon remains a place where everyone feels welcome, included and able to thrive.
Juliet on Angel Radio
On 7th October, our Community Inclusion Officer, Juliet Bowskill, recorded a special advert for Angel Radio, focusing on the health and wellbeing services at the Horizon Wellbeing Hub.
She highlighted small group classes like Steady and Strong, the Exercise Referral Scheme, free health checks, and tailored memberships—all designed to help boost fitness, improve mobility, and support overall wellbeing. Listen out for it when you tune in, you won’t want to miss it!
Inclusion isn’t a one-time project, it’s an ongoing commitment. From Sunflower lanyards and Sensory Borrow Bags to staff training, accessible facilities, and community partnerships, Horizon Leisure Centre is dedicated to creating spaces where fitness and wellbeing are truly for everyone.
Back To News