20/09/2025
Dear Bristol Phab members,
We are so incredibly sorry to have to email to say that Bristol Phab will close permanently.
We are so sad it has come to this - this summer we have tried to work out how the club could work. With the Bristol SU no longer supporting us, we have really struggled with managing the sessions. The safeguarding, funding, and volunteer number requirements have been hard to meet, and after numerous calls with National Phab we have decided it is best for our club to close.
Our club has been a safe, welcoming space where disabled and non-disabled people could connect, and we, as a committee, have all treasured our time. We are going to miss everybody so much.
To help ease the transition, I’ve gathered a list of other fantastic inclusive clubs across Bristol - some cater specifically to disabled groups, others are open to all.
WECIL Youth & Out & About: Evening/weekend inclusive youth groups for disabled/SEND aged 13–18, with options up to 25. Community-based activities designed around members’ interests facecharity.org.uk+11wecil.org.uk+11neondaisy.org.uk+11freeways.org.uk+6phab.org.uk+6bristol.gov.uk+6wecil.org.uk+1wecil.org.uk+1.
Freeways Young People Services: Support for 18–25 year-olds with learning disabilities/autism, offering both community-linked and activity groups freeways.org.uk+1thehiveavon.org.uk+1.
FACE Charity: Youth and community-focused, inclusive term-time sessions and holiday activities for neurodiverse and disabled young people facecharity.org.uk
Keynsham & District Mencap: Offers weekly clubs and leisure activities for learning-disabled individuals across ages (5–18 juniors, 18+ adults); friendly and volunteer-led thehiveavon.org.uk+10keynshammencap.org.uk+10en.wikipedia.org+10.
Thank you for all of the shared experiences and we are, again, so sorry it has come to this. You are also welcome to contact National Phab if you would like to, and if anybody would like to set up their own Phab club, we are sure National Phab would love to discuss this.
With lots of love,
The entire Bristol Phab
