(UK)New Friendship & Dating Agency

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This might be something that could be adopted in other areas of the world for those who are looking for friendship/relationships with others who are on the spectrum. There will be meet-ups in person, once Covid limitations are eased.

First friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities and autism

Zoom dates, an online supper club and web-based karaoke are just some of the activities on offer as Flintshire’s first friendship and dating service for people with learning disabilities opens its doors – virtually.

Luv2meetU Flintshire, which is run by national learning disabilities charity Hft, is focused on supporting people with learning disabilities and their families to develop and sustain relationships, improve their health and wellbeing, and extend their social networks.

Originally set to feature activities around the Flintshire area, the unique dating service has transformed its packed programme of events into a virtual calendar.

Aiming to address the increased risk of loneliness and isolation which may be particularly affecting people with learning disabilities during the pandemic, Luv2meetU offers a range of events and activities allowing people to get connected, make friends, or even meet that special someone.

The friendship service will run approximately seven events a week, including quizzes, telephone bingo, chair yoga, art workshops and social drinks.

All events are run virtually to ensure people are able to get together and socialise without increasing their risk of infection or breaking potential lockdown restrictions.

As well as providing opportunities for people to chat and make friends, members can take part in activities such as cookery sessions, and may even able to take part in chaperoned virtual dates in future.

Karen England, Luv2meetU manager, said interest for the service is already growing, with people attending events and providing feedback on what activities they’d like to see offered in future.

‘Despite the unusual circumstances, we couldn’t be more excited to be launching Flintshire’s very first friendship dating service for people with learning disabilities or autism.

‘Now more than ever, people with disabilities need support to enable them to continue to forge the social connections that are so crucial to everyone’s wellbeing and happiness.

‘While we may not be able to meet in person yet, we are very much open and are looking forward to welcoming lots of new faces to Luv2meetU.’

Many have been connecting with Luv2meetU members across the country and are already looking forward to meeting their new friends when face to face events are able to resume.

After officially launching at a socially distanced ribbon cutting on 12 October, the service is now calling for adults with learning disabilities or autism based in Flintshire, to sign up to taster sessions and see if they might like to join.

Luv2meetU was originally set up as a pilot in the Leeds and Wakefield area in 2007, supporting 40 people to get out and about, socialise and build friendships.

The team now supports around 350 to 400 people with services in areas including Bradford, Kirklees, Bristol, Sheffield, Newcastle, Cheshire and Leeds, and has enabled dozens more to make friends and forge relationships.

To find out more about joining Luv2meetU, click here or contact [email protected].

Source:
https://socialcare.today/2020/11/03/first-friendship-and-dating-agency-for-adults-with-learning-disabilities-and-autism/

This seems like this has potential.

I am one who dislikes this sort of thing----"unnatural" meetups and whatnot. But it does seem like it's needed for people who don't have many opportunities to meet people in "real life."

There have been some wonderful friendships and long-term relationships develop from this agency, and it’s really grown!

I feel similarly from a personal perspective KK, as I need to find my own relationships in my own way and share life in person. I’ve never used a dating site and likely never will, though I appreciate that these sites are successfully used by many to meet their S.O. But, yes, this has improved life hugely for many, so can only be a good thing for those who are more isolated or having more difficulty getting out and about. It’s not unusual for some to only want online interaction for various reasons, in fact my eldest son(AS) and his fiancee(also AS) who are currently living together are planning to live in separate countries as of April while they follow their dreams separately(though will occasionally visit each other in Japan), as they respect each other enough to let the other follow their dreams. They will be living apart for two years with mostly online interaction only during this time. They plan to marry in Scotland in a few year.