This festive season, members of our friendship and dating service have been getting creative by entering a competition to design Luv2meetU’s very own greeting cards.
The idea behind the competition was to find some seasonal designs that could be sold to raise money for the friendship and dating service, which runs events and holds outings for people with learning disabilities focusing on increasing confidence, having fun, making friends, and sometimes even finding love.
Luv2meetU members were excited to get involved with fundraising, and plenty of designs were submitted. After much deliberation from the judging panel, four winners were chosen, who have now had the chance to see their designs brought to life in a range of limited edition cards.
All funds raised from the sale of the cards will go towards future Luv2meetU events, where people with learning disabilities can get to know each other and enjoy themselves.
Karen England, Project Development Manager at Luv2meetU, said:
“It was brilliant to see so many of our members getting creative to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. We saw a lot of amazing designs from some very talented people, but felt the four winning designs really summed up what makes Christmas such a special time. Best of all, proceeds from the sale of these cards will help us to continue to support people to make friends and build relationships well beyond the festive season.”
Luv2meetU is an award-winning friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities and autism based in Bradford, but operating across a number of regions. Cards cost £5.50 for a pack of 12 cards containing all four designs and are available now. To order a pack, email Luv2meetU@hft.org.uk
Meet the winners and find out what Christmas means to them:
Chelsea
Chelsea has been a member of Luv2meetU for some time, but has sometimes found it difficult to get out into her community.
When Chelsea heard about the card competition, she thought it was an ideal way to get involved with Luv2meetU and was one of the first people to enter.
Chelsea said: “Christmas means celebrating the birth of Jesus in an atmosphere of warmth and love with the people that matter.”
Sophie
Sophie lives in Wakefield
with her family and has been a Luv2meetU member for nearly two years. Although she initially felt anxious about meeting new people, Sophie has made a close friend through the service, and she now travels into Leeds independently once a month to meet up with her. The pair enjoy going out for lunch or visiting the cinema. Sophie entered the card competition because she thought it sounded like a fun activity.
Robert
Robert has been a Luv2meetU member for ten years now and enjoys an active social life.
He’s part of a local choir and can play the keyboard, guitar and ukulele. Robert even writes his own music, as well as being creative in other ways, including painting, drawing and other crafts.
Robert said: “I decided to enter as I thought it would be a nice thing to do and I might have a chance of winning. I enjoy Christmas because it’s a celebration of Jesus, enjoying our meal and being merry with other people.
Sarah
Sarah is from Wakefield and has had a very successful year, after becoming passionate about improving her health and fitness. She now walks an impressive 25,000 steps most days! Sarah, who enjoys a challenge,
decided to enter the Luv2meetU Christmas card competition as ‘she never loses’.
She said: “Christmas means being festive and cold when you are snowed in. It’s exciting when you open presents and are home with your family.”
