2023-09-01 10:25:13
Learning disabled couple find each other through charity’s friendship service
A couple who met through a friendship service for learning disabled and autistic individuals have shared their happiness at finding one another through Luv2meetU (L2mU).
Mags, 24, and 32-year-old Kieran, from Denbighshire in North Wales, first met around three years ago at a L2mU-hosted social event, soon after the service had started up in the area.
“We started off as friends – I thought Kieran was kind and caring,” says Mags.
The pair have now been together for nearly two years and are “very happy”, she adds.
L2mU, run by learning disability charity Hft, is a service for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, and strives to help people improve their overall health and well-being by supporting them to get out and about to different places and try new things.
For just £10 a month, club members can access a combination of virtual and face-to-face activities and opportunities (though access to the latter depends on what is available locally), paying an additional £5 for in-person events.
Chelsey Roberts, Hft’s Community Coordinator, says: “For Mags and Kieran, L2mU played a vital role as, without it, they simply wouldn’t have met. They live in separate counties and were both quite socially isolated before this, so L2MU really did play the leading role in their relationship.”
Both Mags and Kieran have embraced the opportunities available through L2mU since becoming club members.
Mags says: “I love having more friends and being more social. I have more friends now than I’ve had before, and trying new things at events help me to feel more self-confident.”
“I liked Mags as soon as I met her. She’s kind, caring, helpful and fun. We’re happy living as we are at the moment but I’d like to move in together in the future,” enthuses Kieran.
As for what’s next on the cards for the happy couple? “We’re happy to carry on as we are for now,” says Mags. “We’re happy, and we will carry on living with our parents, as this works well for both of us.”
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
–
For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
