Young voices lead Hertfordshire SEND social media takeover
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities will be leading Hertfordshire County Council's channels to drive change
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Hertfordshire will today (December 3) lead a social media takeover to mark International Disability Day.
The event, organised by Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, aims to amplify the voices of children and young adults with SEND, giving them a platform to share their experiences, creativity, and ideas for positive change.
Under the theme “This is Me,” participants are encouraged to post stories, artwork, poetry, music, and videos on their own accounts or via official council and NHS platforms using the hashtag #SENDTakeover2024.
From school classrooms to home education groups, and even out-of-county placements, young people from all backgrounds will unite to showcase their unique perspectives and talents.
The initiative is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that young people with SEND are at the heart of discussions about the services and support they receive.
Sarah Stevens, Participation Lead for Hertfordshire’s SEND Partnership, explained the importance of amplifying these voices.
She said: "We really wanted to make sure directors and leaders heard them loud and clear.
"This is about creating opportunities for young people to share their experiences, talk about their conditions, and explore what changes can be made to improve their lives."
The event will highlight both visible and hidden disabilities.
Ms Stevens noted the challenges faced by young people with hidden disabilities, such as ADHD or anxiety, which are often misunderstood.
"We want these young people to share how their disabilities affect them and how they overcome challenges, helping others understand their experiences and fostering inclusivity," she added.
In the lead-up to the takeover, some of the young participants, who are all year 5-8 pupils at Ralph Sadleir School in Puckeridge, shared their thoughts with Greatest Hits Radio.
Josie
Eleven-year-old Josie, who has ADHD, spoke openly about the challenges she faces, particularly in staying focused at school.
She said: "ADHD isn’t all fun and games.
"It’s not the best when you’re trying to do your work, but all you can think about is, ‘I can’t sit still'."
Like other pupils at the school, Josie often uses fidget toys or takes breaks to move around, but she wishes more teachers understood the importance of these strategies.
Her message to others is one of empowerment: "Don’t feel like you’re different in a bad way. We’re all born and made to be different. Be you."
Tommy
Another participant, Tommy, is using the event to raise awareness about hypermobility, a condition affecting his joints that makes activities like writing and certain sports more difficult.
Tommy, who is creating a presentation about his condition, said he hopes to inspire greater understanding.
He said: "It doesn’t matter what disability you have, just be yourself."
Tommy explained that he finds handwriting a struggle and hopes for more practical support.
Harry
Harry, another young advocate, highlighted the diversity of needs within the SEND community, raising the importance of various approaches catered for each individual's needs, as no single approach works for everyone.
He said: "You can’t just stick us in a class and expect us all to need the same things.
"We all need different things for our mindset and how we work.”
Diagnosed with hypermobility, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other conditions, Harry shared how understanding his disabilities helps him navigate challenges.
"It’s easier for me to think, ‘Alright, this is why I’m different. This is why I’m doing this'," he said. "It helps me to think that it’s alright if I do something wrong sometimes."
For Harry, tools like fidget toys and movement breaks are essential for maintaining focus.
He also expressed excitement for the event’s activities, including a large-scale game of sardines, which reflects the day’s theme of inclusivity.
"It’s our day to be proud of ourselves," he added.
Jamie
Jamie prepared a presentation about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its impact on mental health.
Through his project, Jamie hopes to educate others about the reality of living with OCD, while challenging harmful stereotypes.
He said: "I'm trying to stop people from joking about it because it’s a very serious thing.
"People often make jokes despite how much OCD can harm people’s lives."
For Jamie, OCD manifests as a need for his surroundings—whether at home or in school—to be arranged in a certain way.
He described the discomfort when things feel out of order and the challenges of dealing with misunderstandings.
"Not many people really get how OCD, autism, and other disabilities work, so it’s nice to know people actually care," he added.
Isaac
Isaac is using the event to shed light on living with autism.
He said: "I’m really fiddly, and I can’t sit down for long periods of time."
For Isaac, more flexibility in his daily life would make a big difference.
"I struggle with a lot more things than normal people do," he explained, hoping for greater accommodation in both school and other environments.
Despite these challenges, Isaac’s message is one of resilience: "Don’t let disabilities let you down."
The insights shared during the takeover will go beyond raising awareness. Leaders across Hertfordshire’s SEND partnership will use the feedback to improve services and policies.
A group of young experts aged 19–25 with lived SEND experience will meet with officials on December 12 to present key findings and discuss recommendations for change.
According to Ms Stevens, this collaboration has already driven meaningful improvements, including adjustments to the annual review process for Education, Health, and Care Plans.
"This is about creating a society where everyone’s voice is heard," she added, "and ensuring that no one feels invisible."
You can follow stories shared today through the #SENDTakeover2024 on social media.