Project gets major grant

Enable: NI Limited has been awarded a grant of 219,354 to run the five-year Friendship Links project which will improve the confidence and social skills of people with learning disabilities in the Craigavon area and throughout the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area.

The project will match up small groups of two to four people with learning disabilities, based on their ages, interest and where they live, and provide them with a volunteer ‘Befriender’ who will organise activities that they want to do such as hill walking, shopping, sports or trips to the cinema.

By involving people in a range of activities, the project will also give family members and carers the opportunity to gain some respite and have a bit of time to themselves.

Manager Nigel Hampton said: “People with a learning disability often don’t have the same opportunity to participate in their local communities or make friends with people who share their interests. This can often lead to social isolation where they are just stuck in their homes and don’t get the chance to get out and enjoy what life has to offer.”

The project will tackle a number of factors that have prevented people with learning disabilities from getting involved in activities and community life.

If you are interested in volunteering with Enable contact their office on 028 40620480 or email [email protected] for a volunteer pack.