Living with a disability or being neurodivergent can often come with an invisible side-job: professional planner. Finding fun, accessible, and enjoyable activities isn’t always as simple as a quick search online. It can involve hours of research, phone calls to venues, and a mental checklist of questions about everything from step-free access to sensory triggers. This “planning fatigue” is real, and it can be a significant barrier to the spontaneous joy and relaxation that leisure time is supposed to bring.

This article is designed to be your toolkit for reclaiming that time, and discovering new ways to have fun without the usual fuss. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you, exploring a wide range of boredom-busting activities that are not only enjoyable but also mindful of different access needs. From the immersive world of cinema and the magic of live theatre to the thrill of indoor skydiving and the quiet satisfaction of a creative hobby, we’re here to show you what’s possible.

Best of all, every brand and experience featured in this guide is a Purpl partner. This means that as a member of our community, you get exclusive discounts on every single one. It’s a core part of our mission to help offset the extra costs that can come with being disabled, ensuring that fun and relaxation are always within reach.

The Big Screen Experience, Reimagined for You

A trip to the cinema should be a simple pleasure—a chance to escape into another world for a couple of hours. However, for many disabled and neurodivergent people, the standard cinema environment can be anything but relaxing. The overwhelming sound, flashing lights, and crowded foyers can create a significant sensory barrier. Fortunately, major cinema chains like Vue and Odeon are making huge strides in transforming the big-screen experience into something genuinely inclusive. This represents a fundamental shift in how accessibility is approached; it moves beyond simply providing a ramp for physical entry and focuses on actively engineering an environment of psychological safety and financial feasibility. The goal is no longer for disabled patrons to be merely tolerated in a standard screening, but to be actively welcomed and catered for.

Sensory-Friendly Screenings Explained

One of the most significant developments in cinema accessibility is the introduction of “autism-friendly,” “relaxed,” or “sensory-friendly” screenings. Both Vue and Odeon host these regularly, creating a welcoming space for anyone who finds the typical cinema environment overwhelming.

These screenings aren’t just about turning down the volume. They involve a series of thoughtful adjustments designed to reduce sensory input and anxiety :

Low Lighting: The house lights are kept on at a low level throughout the film, so it’s never completely dark.
Reduced Sound: The volume of the film is turned down to a more comfortable level.
No Trailers or Adverts: The film starts straight away, removing the jarring and often loud pre-show content.
Freedom of Movement: Guests are free to move around, make noise, and take breaks if they need to. There’s no expectation to sit still and quiet.

These changes are transformative for individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism, or anxiety, turning a potentially stressful outing into a safe and enjoyable one. Furthermore, by scheduling these screenings at a regular time—typically on the last Sunday of the month—cinemas provide a predictable routine. For many neurodivergent people, this predictability is a powerful tool for managing anxiety. It allows a cinema trip to become a sustainable, low-stress social hobby rather than a high-effort special event, fostering independence and providing a consistent opportunity for community engagement.

A Practical Guide to Cinema Accessibility

Beyond sensory needs, both Vue and Odeon offer a robust range of accessibility features to support a wide variety of requirements.

Physical Access: Most cinemas provide dedicated wheelchair spaces in their screens, which can often be booked online to guarantee availability. They also feature accessible toilets and level access to foyers and counters. Lifts are available in multi-level venues to ensure all screens are reachable.
For Guests with Sight or Hearing Loss: To support guests who are blind or have sight loss, both chains offer Audio Description (AD) on many films. This involves a narrated track, delivered through a lightweight headset, that describes on-screen action and body language between lines of dialogue. For guests who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, Open Captioned (OC) or subtitled screenings are scheduled weekly, displaying dialogue and sound descriptions on the screen. Hearing loops are also commonly available at ticket counters.
Assistance Animals: Assistance dogs are welcomed at all Vue and Odeon locations, ensuring you can have your trusted companion by your side.

Your Essential Cinema Companion: The CEA Card

One of the most valuable tools for any disabled film fan in the UK is the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) Card. This national scheme, which both Vue and Odeon participate in, allows a disabled person to receive a complimentary ticket for a companion, carer, or friend who is accompanying them.

The purpose of the card is to address the barrier faced by those who require assistance to visit the cinema. It ensures you only have to pay for your own ticket, not for the support you need to be there.

Who is eligible? To apply for a CEA Card, you typically need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit, such as the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Attendance Allowance.
How does it work? The card is issued in the name of the disabled person and includes their photo. This means you can be accompanied by any companion—be it a family member, support worker, or friend—who will receive free entry when you purchase your ticket.
How to apply: You can apply for the card online via the official CEA Card website. There is a small annual administration fee of £6.50.

When you combine the CEA Card with your Purpl discount of up to 40% off your own ticket, a trip to the cinema becomes significantly more affordable. This combination of sensory-friendly screenings, comprehensive physical access, and financial support creates a truly holistic system that makes the cinema an experience everyone can genuinely and affordably enjoy.

Unforgettable Days Out: From West End Shows to Indoor Skydiving

When you’re looking for something more than a movie, a whole world of exciting days out is waiting to be discovered. From the dazzling lights of a West End show to the unique thrill of flying, there are incredible experiences available that are designed to be inclusive. However, navigating the world of large-scale events and activity providers requires a bit of know-how.

The Magic of Live Theatre (12% off LoveTheatre)

A night at the theatre can be a truly magical experience, and venues across the UK are working hard to open their doors to everyone. Accessibility in theatre now goes far beyond a wheelchair space. Most major theatres offer a range of assisted performances throughout the year :

BSL Interpreted Performances: A sign language interpreter, typically positioned at the side of the stage, interprets the script and songs for D/deaf audience members.
Captioned Performances: Similar to subtitles in a film, text of the dialogue and sound effects is displayed on screens placed near the stage.
Audio Described Performances: Blind and partially sighted patrons can use a headset to listen to a live narrator describe the on-stage action, costumes, and set changes.
Relaxed Performances: Much like sensory-friendly cinema screenings, these performances have a relaxed attitude to noise and movement in the auditorium. Technical elements like lighting and sound may be softened, and a chill-out space is often provided.

Many theatres also run their own Access Schemes. By signing up (usually for free), you can often get access to discounted companion tickets and the ability to book accessible seating online, saving you a phone call.

Navigating Experience Vouchers (Buyagift 15% off & Virgin Experience Days 20% off)

Companies like Buyagift and Virgin Experience Days are fantastic gateways to thousands of different experiences, from luxurious spa days and gourmet meals to thrilling track days and hot air balloon rides. They offer incredible variety and are a great way to try something new.

However, it’s important to understand how these platforms work. They are aggregators, meaning they partner with hundreds of individual venues and providers across the country. Because of this, they do not have a central database of accessibility information. The responsibility for ensuring an experience is suitable for your specific needs lies with you.

To avoid disappointment, it is absolutely essential that you contact the individual experience provider before purchasing or booking your voucher. Their contact details can usually be found during the booking process on the voucher redemption website. Ask them specific questions about your requirements, whether it’s step-free access, the availability of a hearing loop, or whether the activity can be adapted. This proactive approach is the best way to ensure the day out is enjoyable and stress-free.

Spotlight on iFLY’s “All Abilities” Program (50% off summer flights)

For a truly unforgettable adventure, iFLY Indoor Skydiving stands out as a gold standard for inclusive experiences. They have built their entire philosophy around the idea that everyone should have the chance to fly, and their “All Abilities” program is a testament to this commitment.

This program directly challenges the stereotypes that often exclude disabled people from adventure sports. It reframes the concept of adventure not as something exclusive to the able-bodied, but as an experience that can be expertly adapted to accommodate a wide range of physical and cognitive differences. This is achieved by using technology—a powerful vertical wind tunnel—and dedicated one-on-one support to deconstruct the traditional skydiving experience, removing the barriers while retaining the pure, exhilarating sensation of flight.

The iFLY team is trained to welcome and support people with a remarkable range of conditions, including:

Partial paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
Physical deformities and amputees
Partial sight or blindness
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophies

During an “All Abilities” session, flyers receive extra assistance throughout the process, from putting on the flight suit to the pre-flight briefing. Inside the wind tunnel, a highly-trained, world-class instructor is by your side at all times, personally guiding you through the experience to ensure it is both safe and empowering. This is more than just a fun day out; it’s a powerful statement of inclusion that can expand your world of possibility and help you soar beyond your own expectations.

The Joy of Hobbies: Creative & Calming Boredom Busters

Not all boredom busters need to involve a day out. Sometimes, the most rewarding and relaxing activities can be found right at home. Engaging in creative and tactile hobbies can offer profound benefits for mental health, focus, and self-expression, particularly for the neurodivergent community. These hobbies are not just about passing the time; they are a form of accessible, self-administered therapy, providing a reliable way to decompress, regulate emotions, and build confidence in a safe, controlled environment.

Mindful Model Making (Hornby 10% off, Airfix UK 10% off, & Humbrol 10% off)

The intricate and focused world of model making—whether it’s building a classic Hornby train set or a detailed aeroplane from Airfix UK—is a powerful tool for mindfulness and mental wellbeing. Research has shown that hobbies like scale modelling provide significant benefits, including stress relief, improved concentration, and the development of patience and perseverance.

These benefits are especially relevant for the neurodivergent community. The structured, rule-based, and highly detailed nature of model building can be a perfect match for certain cognitive styles. For many autistic individuals, it aligns perfectly with the tendency to have “special interests.” Society has often misunderstood these intense interests, but engaging with them through a hobby like model making channels this trait into a source of immense joy, calm, and fulfilment. It’s an opportunity to work with one’s own neurology, not against it.

Similarly, for individuals with ADHD, the tactile and deeply engaging process of building a model can be a powerful way to achieve positive “hyper-focus.” The hobby demands attention to detail and rewards concentration, helping to strengthen focus in a way that feels rewarding, not draining. The sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a project, piece by piece, is a fantastic boost to self-esteem and a tangible reminder of what can be achieved through patient effort.

The Power of Sensory Play (Bargain Max 5% off)

The idea that sensory toys are just for children is a common misconception. In reality, items like fidget toys, sensory strings, putty, or weighted lap pads can be incredibly effective self-regulation tools for neurodivergent adults. You can find a great range of these items at retailers like Bargain Max, often at very affordable prices.

These tools are designed to provide calming sensory input that can help manage anxiety, reduce stress, and improve focus in overstimulating environments. For individuals who are sensory-seeking, having a discreet fidget toy can provide a safe and non-disruptive outlet, preventing overwhelm and helping to maintain concentration during meetings, classes, or on public transport. Sensory items like putty or kinetic sand can also be used at home as a calming activity to help wind down after a stressful day, engaging the sense of touch in a soothing, repetitive motion. They are a simple but powerful addition to any mental health and wellbeing toolkit.

Making It Happen: A Guide to Funding Your Fun

We know that the “disability tax”—the extra cost of essential goods and services—is a major financial burden for many in our community. This financial pressure doesn’t stop at essentials; it can also make leisure and recreation feel out of reach. Specialist equipment for adaptive sports can be expensive, and even the costs of travel and tickets can add up.

While your Purpl membership is here to provide valuable discounts, we also want to empower you with information about other funding sources. There are numerous charities and grants across the UK dedicated to helping disabled people access recreational activities. This moves beyond simply helping you save money to helping you access money, tackling the systemic financial barriers to participation head-on.

Here are a few key organisations to explore:

Sport England’s Movement Fund: This fund offers grants of up to £15,000 for community projects that help disabled people and those with long-term health conditions get physically active. If your local club needs funding for an accessible project, this is a great place to point them.
The Bruce Wake Trust: This charity provides grants to disabled individuals and groups to help them participate in and enjoy leisure and sporting pursuits. They can provide funding towards activities and specialist equipment for wheelchair users.
The Lord Taverners: As a leading disability sports charity, The Lord Taverners provides funding for a range of equipment, including sports wheelchairs, sensory equipment, and outdoor play equipment for disabled young people under the age of 25.
Caudwell Children: This charity provides funding for a variety of essential items, including sports equipment and specialised buggies, for disabled children and young people up to the age of 18.
Disability-Grants.org: This website is an excellent resource hub that collates information on hundreds of different grants. It has dedicated sections for recreation, sports, arts, and hobbies, making it a brilliant starting point for any search.

Your Adventure Awaits

Busting boredom when you’re disabled or neurodivergent shouldn’t feel like a chore. As this guide shows, a rich and exciting world of accessible fun is out there, waiting to be explored. From the shared experience of a sensory-friendly film and the inclusive thrill of an adapted adventure to the quiet, therapeutic joy of a creative hobby, there are countless ways to relax, recharge, and find your fun.

A little planning is often the key to a successful day out, but with resources like this guide and the fantastic savings from your Purpl membership, that planning just got a whole lot easier. The goal is not just to fill your time, but to build a life rich with enjoyable, fulfilling, and accessible experiences. So go ahead, try something new, and let your adventure begin.

Sammi is autistic, has ADHD, and lives with POTS. She’s passionate about disability advocacy, accessibility, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and understood. With a sharp sense of humour and a deep love for community, she speaks openly about the realities of being neurodivergent across all of her personal platforms, always aiming to challenge stigma, spark conversations, and remind others they’re not alone.

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