Social clubs for adults with learning disabilities
- Almost one in three people with learning disabilities say they do not have any contact with friends. One in twenty have no friends and do not see anyone from their family
- 40 per cent of people say they would like more say in what goes on in their everyday life
- About 60% of adults with learning disabilities live with their families
The first weekly social club Café Dance in Southend, was established by Field Lane volunteers in January 2007 with its sister club in Reigate opening a year later. The clubs were opened in direct response to the lack of social opportunities expressed by our own supported tenants and those of other agencies. By building links with others, we have built the membership to nearly 200 at each club with approximately 40 members attending each week Although the clubs are facilitated by Field Lane, membership is open to all.
The clubs are age specific, which is to say that the DJ music is current and not dated, it is the music that service users want to hear and not that which is chosen for them. Activities are generated by the service users and are the things that they wish to do. Within the club atmosphere the service users have a safe environment to be themselves, socialize, form their own relationships and plan mutual events. Notably the relationships between staff and service users also shift from supportive advocacy towards one of real empathy and equality.
Those attending join us for an evening of relaxation and a quite chat in our coffee bar, dancing to their resident DJ in the hall or joining in a keep fit class for the more active. Through this activity boredom and depression is alleviated, our service users and others are motivated and there are great plans for the future development of the service as and when funding can be obtained. Through the dedication of our volunteering staff team a great difference has been made to service users lives and we believe that this service is replicable anywhere where the will to do so exists.
‘Feedback on the speakeasy has been fantastic which has motivated me all the more to achieve the best I can for our members. Parents and carers are very happy with the impact it has made on their dependents lives, giving them new friendships and support in dealing with their sometimes complicated every day life. The club also gives parents and carers a few hours a week to themselves just to relax and unwind’.
(Southend Speakeasy coordinator)
“Working at the Reigate Club is the best part of my work – you can see immediately the difference that you are making. After the club, I drive one and a half hours home and I’m still smiling for hours afterwards!”
T.E. Senior Operations Manager