FANE works closely with people with a learning disability and autism to understand how they want to be supported with friendship and connections. We work with individuals and their supporters to identify barriers which prevent them from having ordinary social networks and explore ways to overcome them. We know from our own beneficiaries’ and partner organisations that having friends, feeling less lonely and having ordinary connections are extremely important. Yet carers, professionals and paid staff tell us they receive little/no training, information or resources to help them tackle this area of support. Loneliness and social isolation affect millions of people and people with learning disabilities and autism are often most at risk of suffering the effects of this, including poor physical and mental health, greater risk of abuse, and exclusion from community activities.

What we'll deliver:

• Support 5 socially isolated people with learning disabilities and/or autism with telephone befriending.
• Enable 20 people with learning disabilities and/or autism to participate in social groups and activities.
• Provide 4 trips out in the summer and deliver a creative writing course and a tech course.

Why it's a great idea:

We know from our own beneficiaries’ and partner organisations that having friends, feeling less lonely and having ordinary connections are extremely important. Yet carers, professionals and paid staff tell us they receive little/no training, information or resources to help them tackle this area of support. Loneliness and social isolation affect millions of people and people with learning disabilities and autism are often most at risk of suffering the effects of this, including poor physical and mental health, greater risk of abuse, and exclusion from community activities. We have developed a model of support over the last 17 years, enabling the most socially isolated and vulnerable people to develop friendships and access social groups and activities.

Steps to get it done:

• Raise £18,000 for core costs to bridge funding gap.
• Support 4 socially isolated people on the befriending service.
• Support 15 people with learning disabilities and/or autism to attend groups.