Everyday life · England
Making and keeping friends
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Your friendships matter.
You can ask for help to meet people.
Choose company and activities
Think about who you enjoy spending time with.
You can choose how much company you want.
You could try an activity you enjoy.
You could contact someone you already know.
You can ask to try a group for a short time.
A familiar person may help you feel comfortable.
Plan support to meet people
Agree who helps you get there and get home.
Check evening and weekend support.
Online groups can help you meet people too.
Check the support, costs and privacy arrangements.
Make and keep contact
You can invite someone using words, pictures or your communication aid.
Ask if they want to meet.
Agree when and where to meet.
Check how you will get there.
Tell people what support you need.
You may need help with travel or communication.
You can keep in touch in different ways.
You might use calls, messages or letters.
Privacy, choice and respect
Ask before sharing someone’s number or photograph.
Your private conversations matter too.
Friends can want different things.
Both people can say no or ask for space.
You do not have to pay someone to be your friend.
Organised groups may charge for activities.
Ask for help if you need it
Tell someone you trust if you feel lonely.
Ask for help to try one small step.
Tell someone if a person threatens or hurts you.
You deserve support and respect.
Think about whether you enjoy the contact.
You can change your plan.
What you can do next
Luv2meetU has some local groups and online activities.
Check the costs and support before joining.
Find friendship activities Web pageCosts moneyLocal serviceOnline activitiesThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Luv2meetU: friendship and social groups Web pageCosts moneyLocal serviceOnline activities
Selected local groups and online activities for adults. Membership and event costs apply.
- Find a Gig Buddies project Web pageLocal service
Friendship through shared interests. Local availability and support arrangements vary.
- NHS: understanding loneliness Web page
Ideas for connection and finding support. This page uses longer text.
- Learning Disability England: self-advocacy groups Web page
Find a group and ask about current social activities and access.
- Luv2meetU Online Web page
Online activities; arrange your own one-to-one support if needed.
- UK Men’s Sheds Association: find a Shed Web page
Search by town or postcode for practical hobbies and company. Ask the local Shed about membership, access, support and charges.
- Women’s Institute: find a WI Web page
Find local and virtual Women’s Institutes. Check current membership requirements, subscriptions and access arrangements.
- Women’s Institute: joining and activities Web page
Information about meetings, learning, activities and campaigning. Membership has a subscription; ask about any extra costs.
- u3a: find a group and join Web page
Local and online interest groups. Most members are no longer in full-time work, but there is no age limit. Local membership fees apply.
- Find your local library Web page
Find library services and ask about community activities, reading groups and other local opportunities. Check each activity’s costs and access.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Making and keeping friends, and getting help with loneliness
Practical ways to meet people, keep in touch and get the support you want.
People with learning disabilities, families and supporters · England
Choose the relationships you want
You may want one close friend, a wider group, familiar company or more time on your own. There is no correct number of friends. Being around staff or other residents does not necessarily mean feeling connected. Ask what kind of contact you miss and what you would like to try. A friendship should grow through shared enjoyment, with room for both people’s wishes.
Start with an interest or someone you already know
Think about people you enjoyed seeing at school, college, work or a club. You could ask whether they would like a call or a short visit. To meet new people, try an activity that interests you, such as music, a book club, sport or a community group. Ask about a taster session and the support available before joining.
Make a small, clear invitation
An invitation can be spoken, written, pictured or sent using your communication aid. For example: “Would you like to meet for a drink on Saturday?” Agree a place, time and how to get there. Check whether both people want a supporter present and what help is needed. Someone may be busy or say no; you can ask about another time without pressuring them.
Turn keeping in touch into a practical plan
Agree a contact method each person can use, such as voice notes, video calls, letters or meeting regularly. Ask permission before sharing contact details or photographs. Supporters can help arrange a call or put a meeting in a diary without reading every private message. Plan how friendships will continue when someone moves home, changes support, leaves college or changes job.
Find friendship opportunities
Luv2meetU offers friendship and social activities for learning-disabled and autistic adults in selected areas and online. Membership and event charges apply; check current costs and support arrangements. Gig Buddies projects match people and volunteers around shared interests in participating areas. Neither is an automatic substitute for funded personal care or other assessed support. Ask what each service actually provides.
Try a group in a way that works for you
Contact the organiser about your interests and access needs. Ask whether a short first visit, a familiar supporter or meeting the leader beforehand is possible. Check who attends, how newcomers are welcomed and whether activities are genuinely adult and age-appropriate. You might prefer a mainstream interest group, a learning-disability group or both. Repeated relaxed contact can help people get to know each other; one visit does not have to produce a friendship.
Try a club built around shared interests
Men’s Sheds, Women’s Institutes, u3a groups and local community activities offer different ways to meet people. Ask what happens at a typical meeting and whether you can try a visit. Check membership rules, costs and access before joining. A national directory helps you find contact details; the local organiser can explain what is actually available. Our clubs guide includes finders and a first-visit planning sheet.
Agree the practical support, not just the activity
Write down who will help with booking, travel, money, communication, personal care and getting home. Check evening and weekend staff availability. Explain if a fixed shift change or early return prevents the friendship you want. Ask for the issue to be considered in your support plan. If a group offers a volunteer buddy, establish what that person can do and what still needs funded or other support.
Use online groups with the right help
Online activities can connect people who live far apart or find travel difficult. Luv2meetU Online can help people access events, but says anyone needing one-to-one support during activities must arrange it. Check membership, moderation, privacy and costs. Practise the technology together if useful. You can leave an uncomfortable conversation and ask for help; do not share passwords or send money to keep an online friendship.
Include people who do not use speech
People with profound and multiple learning disabilities can build valued relationships. Arrange repeated opportunities with people they enjoy, using familiar communication and enough time. Shared music, sensory experiences or a quiet visit may be meaningful. Notice enjoyment, discomfort and refusal, and check interpretations with people who know the person. Do not assume silence means they do not want company.
Get support for access and confidence
Explain barriers such as transport, communication, sensory needs, personal care or unavailable evening support. Ask for these to be discussed in care planning or a review. A social prescribing link worker may help find local opportunities; ask your GP practice about availability. A list of activities alone will not solve missing support. Ask who will arrange the next practical step.
When a friendship is difficult
Friends can disagree and sometimes need space. You can ask for help to explain your feelings or understand a misunderstanding. You do not have to give money, passwords, gifts or unwanted physical contact to keep a friendship. If someone threatens, controls or repeatedly humiliates you, tell someone you trust and use the safeguarding or abuse guide. Both people can choose to end contact.
If you feel lonely
Loneliness can happen even when other people are nearby. Tell someone how you feel and ask for help with one achievable connection. A busy timetable is not a substitute for relationships you value. If loneliness is affecting your mood or daily life, speak with your GP or learning disability team about accessible support. Review whether the plan helps, rather than simply counting outings.
Words you could use
“I want more contact with people I choose. Please help me plan one invitation or activity, and arrange the communication, transport or support I need.”
More useful links
- Luv2meetU: friendship and social groups Web pageCosts moneyLocal serviceOnline activities
Selected local groups and online activities for adults. Membership and event costs apply.
- Find a Gig Buddies project Web pageLocal service
Friendship through shared interests. Local availability and support arrangements vary.
- NHS: understanding loneliness Web page
Ideas for connection and finding support. This page uses longer text.
- Learning Disability England: self-advocacy groups Web page
Find a group and ask about current social activities and access.
- Luv2meetU Online Web page
Online activities; arrange your own one-to-one support if needed.
- UK Men’s Sheds Association: find a Shed Web page
Search by town or postcode for practical hobbies and company. Ask the local Shed about membership, access, support and charges.
- Women’s Institute: find a WI Web page
Find local and virtual Women’s Institutes. Check current membership requirements, subscriptions and access arrangements.
- Women’s Institute: joining and activities Web page
Information about meetings, learning, activities and campaigning. Membership has a subscription; ask about any extra costs.
- u3a: find a group and join Web page
Local and online interest groups. Most members are no longer in full-time work, but there is no age limit. Local membership fees apply.
- Find your local library Web page
Find library services and ask about community activities, reading groups and other local opportunities. Check each activity’s costs and access.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 1 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- Hft: Luv2meetU Web pageCosts moneyLocal serviceOnline activities
Current service description, locations, online activities and charges.
- Gig Buddies: locations Web pageLocal service
Local projects for shared-interest friendship.
- NHS: loneliness Web page
Keeping in touch, shared interests, accessible first steps and support.
- CQC: dignity and respect Web page
Supporting important relationships, privacy and community involvement in regulated care.
- NHS England: personalised care and support planning Web page
Planning around what matters to the person.
- Luv2meetU Online Web page
Online activities; arrange your own one-to-one support if needed.
- NHS England: social prescribing Web page
Link workers can connect people with community support; local availability varies.
- Care Act 2014, section 9 Web page
Assessment of personal outcomes and needs for care and support.
- UK Men’s Sheds Association: Find a Shed Web page
Official directory of local Sheds. Inclusion on the map does not confirm membership of the national association.
- UK Men’s Sheds Association: frequently asked questions Web page
Activities, local membership rules, visiting, charges and the distinction between social activity and personal care.
- Women’s Institute: find a WI Web page
Official local and virtual WI finder.
- Women’s Institute: becoming a member Web page
Meetings, friendship, learning, activities and subscriptions.
- u3a: joining Web page
Local group finder, membership, interest groups and online participation.
- GOV.UK: local library services Web page
Libraries provide community activities as well as reading, learning and internet access.
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