Bedford charity secures funding from People's Postcode Trust

The scheme helps them make new friends and relationships, and thanks to money from the People's Postcode Trust - a grant-giving charity funded by players of People's Postcode Lottery - the project will be able to run for a further 12 months and they will be able to recruit a project coordinator.

Gr8 Mates Bedford offer participants the opportunity to get together in a small informal and supported environment.

If participants express an interest in getting to know another participant better they will be supported by volunteers to go on a mate date or date. The informal events take place a minimum of 4 times a year.

Fizz Heseltine, Gr8 Mates project manager, said: "Most people take making new friends for granted, but it can be a challenge for someone with learning disabilities or autism as this is often missed out from support plans.

"Absolutely no-one should be denied the chance of making new friends or maybe meeting that special someone - and Gr8 Mates provides that opportunity.

"We are so grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their amazing support.

"Their funding will make a huge difference in tackling social isolation faced by many people with learning disabilities."

Gr8 Mates is part of Living It Up Events, Fizz Heseltine and Claire Crawford-Smith have been putting on night club and gig style events for adults with learning disabilities and autism in Bedford since September 2009.

In September 2016 they opened a Performing Arts Centre in Bedford for adults with learning disabilities and autism.

For more information visit: www.livingitupevents.co.uk.