FRIENDS ACTION NORTH EAST

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.

After 17 years of successfully securing funding for our charity and supporting over 249 people throughout the pandemic we are now in a crisis position that we have been unable to secure any core costs to continue our projects past August 2022.

Whilst delivering our project throughout lock-down our evidence shows that there is a need to support social interaction for the current mental health crisis being experienced by younger people. Most people are referred to us because they feel lonely, isolated, vulnerable and unable to have an ordinary life. Confidence, anxiety, social media and experiencing mental health issues due to being isolated are some of those factoring reasons

We are hoping that people will support us in any way that they can so we are able to continue the important work we do across the North East.

By supporting FANE you will be enabling 349 people to access our support and social recovery groups around themes such as art, photography, forest/environment/nature and health/ fitness that will support mental health and well-being whilst creating opportunities to independent friendships and enabling social connections in a safe space.  

People will get 1:1 support to access friendship training around social interaction, keeping safe, independent travel skills, budgeting and safeguarding via online and face to face workshops.

This will support people to overcome barriers to healthy friendships, gain skills and reduce isolation to empower, raise aspirations, and build self-esteem and confidence. Evidence shows this impacts positively on people’s long term mental and physical health and well being.

• Certainly, my son is more relaxed, happier and looking forward to social gatherings made possible by FANE
• Yes from week one , Happier meeting people with needs similar to her own. positive encouragement from leaders , learning how to keep safe and making new friends also all the group's she can attend and also will be volunteering on the farm just Everything , very positive experience. 
• I can't begin to say how much fANE has changed my sisters life for the better. She is a totally different person, it is the most amazing group and they help her, and my family in so many ways. I can't begin to imagine how we would manage without all the wonderful work and support and friendship they provide. Jackie's life is richer in so many ways, they allow her to flourish, and gain independence to enjoy life . I find it difficult to express exactly how life changing , and how lucky we feel that Jackie has FANE, simple things we take for granted are now accessible to her, we can never thank them enough. 
• Involvement with FANE has made a significant positive impact to her life, her confidence has grown considerably and she seems a much more happy person, she has also learnt valuable skills both socially and practically
• He has widened his network of friends and feels that he is carrying out more meaningful activities 
• My daughter now has the opportunity of going out socially without parents in tow and being able to socialise with people of a similar age to herself.