Kinect & Belong
A free, weekly space for home-educated young people to make friends, try new things and feel they belong.
What happens at a session
Sessions are relaxed and welcoming. Young people can join in with art, music, sport and cooking, or simply come and be with friends. Refreshments are provided.
Over the year we run 42 weekly sessions for up to 30 young people, along with a launch and a celebration event for everyone.
We also run trips and activities that young people have asked for, including sports, cooking, outdoor days and theatre, so those learning outside school do not miss out on enrichment.
Session details
- When Every Thursday in term time, 10am to 2pm
- Where Highfields Centre, 96 Melbourne Road, Leicester LE2 0DS
- Who Home-educated young people aged 11 and over. Young people not in education, training or employment are welcome too
- Cost Free
- Joining Open access, just come along. You will fill in a short sign-up form the first time you attend
What is on
- Art
- Music
- Sport
- Cooking
- Trips
"My child was up and out of bed, seeing other people, which is good for their mental health. Being back in a setting and engaging with different young people and adults will be good practice for when they start college."
A flavour of our sessions
Cooking, crafts and getting stuck in together. We only ever show hands and activity, never a young person's face, unless we have written permission from a parent or carer.
What young people gain
Friends
A regular group of peers, so friendships can grow week by week.
Confidence
New activities and positive adult role models outside the home.
A voice
Young people help shape what we do. We are also gathering their views to help improve local support.
For parents and carers
Kinect & Belong supports the whole family. Parents meet others in the same position, join shared family activities and can talk to us about what would help.
Sessions are open access, so there is no need to book. Just bring your young person along on a Thursday, and you will fill in a short sign-up form on the first visit. If you have questions before then, get in touch.
Keeping everyone safe
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at Kinect. Our policies cover safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and equality, and we review them every year.
Our funders
Kinect's work is paid for by funders who back community-led projects.
Kinect & Belong is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Thank you to everyone who plays The National Lottery and makes work like ours possible.
Come and meet us
Whether you are a parent, a young person, a volunteer or a local organisation, we would love to hear from you.