Socialising Angels is a community interest company founded by a passionate mother of a young man with Down syndrome who identified the distinct lack of social opportunities for young adults with learning difficulties. Based across Wandsworth, Lambeth, and Southwark, Socialising Angels provides safe and engaging social opportunities for young adults to meet new people and expand their social network.
Social connection is a vital part of everyone's lives, and research has shown that it directly affects our mental health. This is no different for individuals with learning difficulties, yet it is something that they cannot, and do not, access easily. People with learning difficulties are more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness—and we aim to change this.
In our first year, we have collaborated with the local council and another community interest company to help them better engage with young adults with learning disabilities. These collaborations have been pivotal in fostering inclusivity and providing impactful experiences for the community. Moving forward, we aim to strengthen and expand these partnerships, creating a more inclusive and safer community for young adults with learning disabilities who are active and engaged members of their local areas.
Our efforts have included community walks, outings, and bespoke projects that focus on developing skills and fostering meaningful connections. Previous events have included walks along Southbank, bowling, restaurant trips, and the Snap Social project, which helps young adults develop practical day-to-day skills while socialising with peers. These events provide safe, accepting spaces for young adults to engage with others and their local community, while also encouraging social and life skill development.
As a new CIC launched in September 2023, we’ve had an incredible and successful first year. To sustain and grow our impact, we seek funding to continue enriching the lives of young adults with learning disabilities and to support our mission of creating a more inclusive community. We are not currently in receipt of grant funding and our services are reliant on contributions from individuals like yourself. Put simply without your support we couldn't exist.
What Will Your Contributions Support?
Your generous funding will allow us to:
Events and Activities:
- Cover entrance fees for outings and events.
- Support food costs during activities.
- Ensure staff are well-trained and equipped to provide a safe and enriching environment.
Staff Training:
- Makaton (a sign language program).
- Talking Mats (a communication tool).
- Safeguarding, health and safety, and other essential training to ensure young adults are always safeguarded.
Bespoke Projects:
- Funding initiatives like Snap Social, where young adults develop practical day-to-day skills while socialising with their peers.
Communication Support and Resources:
- Procuring resources to assist with the communication needs of young adults, ensuring every individual is understood and supported.
- Providing other resources aligned with the sessions we run to enhance the support offered to young adults with learning disabilities.
Operational Costs:
- Cover essential overheads to keep our services running smoothly.
- Support administrative expenses and other costs necessary for providing high-quality opportunities.
Building Inclusive Communities:
- Strengthen our capacity to collaborate with councils, other community interest companies, and organisations to promote inclusivity and support more young adults with learning disabilities.
- Develop our skills and promote our work, enabling us to support other organizations in making the community safer and more inclusive for these young people.
Your support will directly impact the lives of young adults with learning disabilities, enabling us to create more opportunities for socialisation, skill development, and community engagement. Together, we can make our communities more inclusive, safe, and enriching for everyone.
Thank you for helping us make a difference!