About Us
The Friendship Circle of Elstree & Borehamwood is part of the International Friendship Circle Programme. It was founded on the idea that each child, regardless of his or her challenges, deserves a circle of friends! Through the Friendship Circle, we aim to create a more inclusive community for children with special needs, one that sees the similarities rather than the differences in each and every one of us….
…we are here to build friendships!
SENsory Sunday

At the heart of the SENsory Sunday Circle Programme, which will take place monthly at the Jewish Life Centre, children with additional needs will be paired with a specially trained teenage buddy, who will engage with kindness and friendship. These friendships will benefit the children by strengthening their identity, self esteem and sense of belonging within the community. SEnsory Sunday will include sensory activities, interactive play, some cooking and baking activities and of course lots of music and fun all around!
Check out the upcoming dates of SENsory Sunday, and register to join – we would love to see you there!
Upcoming – Feb Session!
The room is divided in different activity & sensory areas, to ensure an environment of stimulation and balance for each unique child. Each session will have 4-5 of the zones.
- Quiet Light Zone – Dive into a world of textures and lights in our sensory tent specially designed to engage and stimulate the senses.
- Active Zone – Jump, bounce, spin, encouraging motor skills and letting out the energy!
- Sensory Zone – Textures, slime and all the feels to get gooey and messy with the sensory activities.
- Art Zone – Paints and different textures to let your creativity run wild!
- STEM Zone – the older children can use different materials to create and explore. Or maybe you will also get a chance on the VR!
- Cooking Zone – Let your little chef explore with food, textures, tastes.
- Music Zone – Instruments and sounds to tap in to the beat!
We are so excited to see you and join in for the fun!
RSVP as soon as possible so we can make sure we have a teen buddy to give special positive attention to your child.
This session we can accommodate limited children, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
Coffee & Chat
We are so excited to have a coffee, chat and support with other parents of neurodivergent children running the same time as the SENsory Sunday programme. You can drop your children off for a super fun time where they will be safe and well taken care of with their teen buddies.
Jo will be leading the coffee & Chat in Feb, and we are so excited to have her join!
Jo is an independent Speech and Language Therapist. For the last 20 years, she has worked in nurseries, schools and special schools developing a specialism in supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She works closely with parents and school staff to help them understand and accept their children’s differences and whilst developing their communication and interaction skills. Within this time she has delivered multiple training sessions and is currently part of the friendship circle team delivering training to the teens befriending your children.
Please email to confirm you will be there for location details. [email protected]
Friends@Home
Friends@Home gives children with additional needs a chance to bond with a teen buddy at the comfort of their own home.
Together they will engage in a multitude of fun activities including baking, playing, creating arts n’ crafts, reading books and more. A weekly playdate that’s all fun on your child’s schedule!
Register your child, and we will be in touch to organise a home visit with Joanna, our safety guidance to discuss bringing Friends@Home to your family.



Teen Volunteering Opportunites

Being a volunteer at the Friendship Circle is the most amazing and rewarding opportunity for girls and boys in Year 9 and older!
Every volunteer must attend at least one training session which will take place each term to learn and develop skills and resources on becoming a friend to a child with additional needs.
Jo Gordon, a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist with expertise dealing with children with special needs will lead the training.
Each teen volunteer will be able to chose to commit to volunteering weekly for the Friends@Home programme, or monthly with the SENsory Sunday programme. You will be a child’s special friend, to do fun activities together, play games and bring lots of smiles and laughter!
Volunteering at the Friendship Circle wil give you volunteering hours for DofE or many other programmes. It is a great asset to your CV or when applying for universities.
Next Training session will be announced soon!
The Vision
Inclusivity
Creating an inclusive community where everyone is seen as equal and feels valued.
Purpose
Having a sense of purpose and giving of your time in a meaningful way each week.
Friendship
Creating meaningful friendships in a nurturing and fun environment.
For any questions for the Friendship Circle please contact Lauren who will direct you accordingly – [email protected]
