Supported Loving toolkit
Dating and friendship agencies
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There are a number of dating agencies across the UK that specialise in supporting people with additional needs.
Many are run by service providers and others have been set up independently.
In the Supported Loving toolkit, we have some useful information about dating. Please read this before approaching any dating agency, so that you are well informed. Please note that we do not endorse any dating agency or social club on this page.
UK-wide
- Better Connected
Better Connected is a UK-wide social club for children and adults with additional needs. They connect people with other people and their local community through friendship groups, activity days and a support line.
- Luv 2 meet U
Luv2meetu is a friendship and relationship service for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. They do everything they can to enable the people they support to meet others and build meaningful friendships and stay in touch with their loved ones. They run events and outings and support meet-ups online and in-person.
East
- Friends and Places Together
Friends and Places Together is a friendship agency based in Southend-on-Sea in Essex. They support young adults (aged between 16 and 18) to meet new friends and maintain friendships through meaningful activities such as cooking together, travelling by train and developing their confidence, assertive skills, and self-advocacy skills. - Safe Soulmates
Safe Soulmates is a friendship and dating organisation based in Cambridge and online. They bring together adults with additional needs to help them find and nurture friendships and loving relationships safely. Safe Soulmates aims to provide a supportive environment for their members by hosting meetups in pubs, cinemas and other venues, as well as on zoom, to help people connect with one another.
London
- Love4Life London
Love4Life is a friendship and dating network in West London for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. They organise workshops and social events to help make friends and build relationships in a relaxed atmosphere. Events to look forward to include: bowling, night club outings, karaoke nights, movie nights, pamper days, parties and proms, picnics and restaurants, shopping trips, sports, theatre trips, and music festivals. Membership costs £10 a month. For some events, such as meals out or the cinema, there will be an extra cost, however other events and all of their workshops are free. Love4Life London is currently operating in the following boroughs: Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames, Wandsworth, Hounslow, Westminster and Harrow.
North West
- Embrace Wigan and Leigh
Embrace support people with additional needs to become less isolated in the community through social groups and dating/friendship nights in Wigan and Leigh.
- Meet 'n' Match
Meet ‘N’ Match is a friendship and dating agency for adults with a learning disability and autistic people in the North West of England. They provide an exclusive matching service for their members, whether you are looking for friends or that someone special. They also provide social activities and relationship training to members and non-members, to enable you to improve your experiences when looking for new connections. They are managed by Spring into Action CIC, a community interest company based in Accrington (www.spring-projects.co.uk).
South East
- Living It Up Gr8 Mates
Living It Up Gr8 Mates provide a friendship and dating service in-person in Bedford, Bedfordshire and online. They hold regular social events to help adults (18+) with additional needs to meet new people and support them to make friends in the community. - Love4Life
Love4Life is a friendship and dating project in Hampshire for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. They organise workshops and social events that help you make friends and build relationships in a relaxed atmosphere. They have had many successful matches. Events to look forward to include: bowling, night club outings, karaoke nights, movie nights, pamper days, parties and proms, picnics and restaurants, shopping trips, sports, theatre trips, and music festivals. Membership costs £10 a month. For some events, such as meals out or the cinema, there will be an extra cost, however other events and all of their workshops are free.
- Nice 2 Meet Ya
Nice 2 Meet Ya is a dating and friendship agency in Hertfordshire. They help autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities to develop and maintain friendships and relationships and support them to build meaningful connections. They provide a full matching service and offer safe and private one-to-one introductions.
South West
- People First Dorset
We are a user-led charity supporting people with learning disabilities to have their voices heard, be independent and part of their community. We think this starts with developing friendships and staying connected with each other. We run a Friendship Club, which is led and run by members, and offers events which are based in the community, doing what our members want. This is often in pubs, cafes and now online. It's fun, friendly and very welcoming with many people having made friendships which get stronger every day.
West Midlands
- Queen Alexandra Community Services
Queen Alexandra Community Services offer an inclusive, accessible, creative community hub for young adults with additional needs in Birmingham. They run peer groups, social events, and hold meetings every couple of weeks.
Yorkshire and the Humber
- Women's 'Feel Good' Group
The Feel Good Group is a woman-only space for women with learning disabilities and autistic woman ran by Women’s Health Matters and People in Action. They meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons in East Leeds and explore different topics such as women’s health, relationships and being safe.
Disclaimer
The organisations and services listed on this page are included in the Supported Loving toolkit to assist you and are provided in good faith.
Their inclusion in the Supported Loving toolkit does not imply that Supported Loving nor Choice Support endorses or supports them, nor does the absence of any other organisations or services, who are not included, imply that Supported Loving and Choice Support does not support them.
Supported Loving and Choice Support cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy in the Supported Loving toolkit, or on linked sites/pages. Supported Loving and Choice Support cannot control and is not responsible for the privacy practices of any site to which a link is provided. It is recommended that you read the privacy policy of any site you visit, particularly if you are asked to give personal data.
Every care is taken to ensure that the information listed in the Supported Loving toolkit is accurate. If you discover any information which you believe to be inaccurate, please let us know.
Supported Loving toolkit
The Supported Loving network has produced a series of guides to help support people with issues surrounding sexuality and relationships.
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What is Supported Loving?
For some people finding love is often more than just chemistry – it can come down to getting the right support
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Supported Loving network
Supported Loving is not a formal membership organisation. Anyone can take part, it is free.
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