Friendships are important to people with a learning disability, however people with a learning disability tend to have fewer friends and fewer opportunities to socialise than the general population. The friendship needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) are often ignored, perhaps due to their communication difficulties. However, people with PMLD are capable of forming relationships, making choices and communicating with others through vocalisation or touch.

Almost 1 in 3 young people with a learning disability spend less than 1 hour outside their home on a typical Saturday (Mencap, 2016). Recent research from Scope has also uncovered that 85% of young disabled adults from the 18-34 year old age group feel lonely. As a result, 62% of working age disabled people who have felt lonely in the past year said they experienced depression, 52% said they experienced anxiety and 49% experienced stress (Scope.org.uk. 2018).

 

Having an active social life can help people with a learning disability to feel happier, included and valued.  Having friends can also help people with a learning disability to be more confident and independent, and may encourage them to take part in more social activities in the community. Friendships also help to reduce loneliness. Loneliness is linked to a number of health risks, such as depression, high blood pressure and higher mortality risk