Published: 11/03/2020 - 16:10
We’ve been running our social inclusion initiative Go Anywhere Do Anything for six years providing trips out for disabled people to enjoy fun and rewarding experiences. The feedback from members taking part and the network of volunteers who support them has been phenomenal. It’s clear to see what enriching and positive experiences have resulted. Members explore a range of opportunities from ice skating and bowling to watching premiership football matches and theatre shows, riding on party buses and going clubbing. You name it, the types of activities on offer are varied and exciting and demand is understandably high!
Many adults with learning disabilities and autism face barriers to getting out and taking part in leisure activities. This can lead to feelings of isolation and low confidence. Go Anywhere Do Anything recognises this need to make social connections, feel valued and included.
Its impact on our members’ lives has been more profound than we’d initially thought, helping to significantly increase health and wellbeing and independence. We’ve also engaged with other organisations to increase their understanding of the needs of disabled people allowing for greater accessibility and helping to shape a more inclusive world. As a result, members are more aware of their rights as citizens.
But we need more funding. We’re deeply grateful to have the support of a major donor but we still have a long way to go to reach the £60,000 needed to secure the future of this valuable project.
How you can help
We planned to run a fundraising dance-a-thon, however due to the current situation with the Covid-19 virus we have put this event on hold as a precaution to protect our students. We still aim to host this fun filled event as soon as the situation allows.
Although the Covid-19 virus affects our current schedule of trips out, we still very much need your help to continue this project to combat loneliness and social isolation, so please donate via our Virgin Money Giving page.
You can also support us if you shop locally in Battersea, Earlsfield, Tooting and Balham via the Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ scheme.
Watch a video all about Go Anywhere Do Anything.
What participants say
“My favourite part of being a Social Buddy is helping a member realise their goals. Whether it’s looking after the group’s tickets, using money to buy a snack, or helping organise a tube journey, it feels great when you see a member feeling a sense of achievement on a trip.”
“I had really good time clubbing we stayed out to really late. We went to cocktail bar first then a club. I danced with the girls”
“Edmond is so happy when he returns from a trip and can't wait to tell his family all about it. If funding for this project ended, Edmond would definitely regress"
"The trips provide Ummair with experiences which are common ground with people he wouldn't usually interact with on a social level. He speaks to anyone who will listen about his trips. This has been an excellent point of growth for Ummair as we've seen his confidence sky rocket and he has become extremely persistent in doing new things and has become a lot more flexible with his routine. He always tells us how he has done something all by himself or something he has never done before and explains it very proudly."
“It was fun. It was nice being in a group and I liked the people we went with. Looking at the trains was great - I’ve always wanted to go on one”
