1 Overview
Taking part in clubs, sports, creative groups or other activities in your free time can be very good for your mind, body and overall wellbeing. It’s a great way to try new things, meet people and feel good about yourself.
The benefits in participating in clubs and activities include:
- mental and emotional wellbeing;
- feel like you belong and give you a sense of purpose
- build confidence and self esteem as you meet people and try new things
- give you a break from everyday stress and pressures
- help reduce feelings of anxiety, low mood or loneliness
- boost your mood and help you feel more positive
“All the activities like football are fun and it helps relieve stress after a hard day’s work at school.”
- physical health and wellbeing;
- stay active and healthy
- improve your energy levels and sleep
- support your overall physical wellbeing
“They keep me exercising and healthy and they’re also fun.”
- learning, social and life skills;
- improve your focus and concentration which can also help with school and college
- build communication skills by talking, listening and working with others
- learn how to cooperate, share ideas and understand other people’s feelings
- gain new skills that can help you now and, in the future
“It allows me to feel a sense of community with a whole range of people and it’s refreshing being able to socialise in an environment that isn’t school.”
Having fun, feeling connected and doing something you enjoy can make a big difference to how you feel every day. Here’s what children and young people have to say about being involved in leisure activities:
“All the activities like football are fun and it helps relieve stress after a hard day’s work at school.”
“They keep me exercising and healthy and they’re also fun.”
“It allows me to feel a sense of community with a whole range of people and it’s refreshing being able to socialise in an environment that isn’t school.”
2 Finding activities and support
Family Information Service
The West Sussex Family Information Service (FIS) directory provides information about activities and support services for families with children and young people aged 0 to 19 years, or up to 25 years for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
You can search for:
- parent and child groups
- toy libraries
- leisure activities
- days out
- youth clubs and support services
- parenting courses
- counselling, addiction and wellbeing services
- learning, employment and volunteering opportunities
You can search for activities based on an area, type of activity and the preferred day.
FIS activities and support directory (external link)If you are a provider and want to add your details, visit our list a service in the FIS activities and support directory page.
Events, activities and venues
Explore a range of local clubs or societies for children, young people and adults on our events, activities and venues section.
SEND activities and services
To search for leisure activities and services for people with SEND, view our Local Offer services.
West Sussex Libraries
For library activities and events, visit our events search page.
Your Space
If you are aged 13 to 19 years or up to 25 for those with SEND, you can find local clubs and activities, libraries and leisure centres, on our places to go page.
Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
Find details about the HAF programme for children receiving benefits-related free school meals. Register and make a booking on our holiday activities and food programme page.
Safe clubs for children
You can get guidance on choosing safe out-of-school activities on our safe clubs for children page. This also tells you how to report concerns and get support if you are worried about a club or a child's safety.
3 Getting to clubs and activities
On this page, we have detailed some of the ways you can find out how to get to clubs and activities.
You can find bus routes, rail timetables and more, to help you plan journeys across the county by visiting our pages for travel and public transport.
Young people and those with special educational needs and disabilities may benefit from:
- discounted bus tickets like the 16 to 20 Bus Saver
- our 16 to 25 Local Offer transport information
For families in more rural areas or where regular buses don’t run, use our flexible rideshare Book-a-Bus service.
If you live in a rural area or have difficulty using public transport, you can get help from our directory of community transport providers.