Safe dating agencies for people with learning disabilities

[HighsAndLowes]

My son is 24 and has a good life. The only thing missing is a girlfriend! He is sociable and enjoys his volunteering and being out in the world. He is thinking of joining a dating agency so…does anyone have any experiences of this?

[SarahL]

[Jenny_Mencap]

Hi @HighsAndLowes

Thanks for you post

A dating agency can be helpful in offering support to someone to meet other people and match them with potential date. Some agencies also offer support for people to make new friends.

If you have concerns speak with the agencies first and find out exactly what they can offer. Reputable dating agencies should provide chaperones for the dates organized by the agency.

There are dating agencies for people with a learning disability, however, many are only based in certain regions.

• Love4Life is based in some areas of England but not all, and they do not run in Wales or Northern Ireland. The Fitzroy Helpline: 0808 168 4662.
• Luv 2 meet u runs across a number of locations across the north of England
• Happily (London based)
• Mates n Dates - a Friendship and Dating Network based around Oxfordshire
• Disabled dating

I hope these help

Jenny

[SarahL]

Hello @HighsAndLowes

I really hope that @Jenny_Mencap’s post helped.

Next week (starting on Valentine’s day) we are having an ask the expert event about sex and relationships

Ask the expert about sex and relationships - starting on 14 February

Hi My name is Brad English and I am a Clinical Psychologist that specialises in working with people with learning disabilities. My area of special interest is the romantic relationships and sexual expression of people with learning disabilities. I have done research into how Clinical Psychologists can best support care staff to enable healthy relationships and sexual expression in those they support, and into people with learning disabilities’ views and experiences of intimate relationships. I…

Please feel free to ask Brad any questions you have.

Thanks
Sarah