26 Acquisition International - Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2023 Another adds, “Being a trustee of Young and Free has given me extra responsibilities and the opportunity to be involved with the running of the charity and I love it!” If you want to support the work that Young and Free is doing or are interested in taking part in one of its meet ups, go to its website to find out more! Contact: Laura Whittle Company: Young and Free Web Address: youngandfreecharity.co.uk Most Empowering Young PWD Support Organization 2023 - South West England umans aren’t meant to go through life alone, we are meant to socialise and connect with one another. Often those with disabilities can feel disconnected from others and miss out on face-to-face interactions which leads them to experiencing loneliness. Due to the nature of some people’s disabilities they often struggle to make friends as they fear rejection or struggle to find ways to meet people to connect with. Bristol based Young and Free introduces a programme that not only encourages them to make friends but also facilitates it. Through organising activities such as bowling, meals out, day trips, discos, quizzes, theatre experiences, and more, Young and Free presents people with plenty of fun and opportunities to make friends. In addition to group events, Young and Free offers social opportunities on a 1:1 basis, which enables people to connect in a more personal way, helping them create long lasting and meaningful friendships. This is a great way to bring like-minded people together – creating connections that may have not happened otherwise. It also provides individuals with a support system that eases loneliness and increases the feeling of belonging as we all deserve to feel that we belong. Young and Free also encourages those who access its services to get involved in the running of the charity, so they can organise educational and group social meet ups. By taking part in the planning of the activities, they have the opportunity to decide what they get to experience, while also helping them feel accomplished and positive. The work that the volunteers behind Young and Free make possible is truly life changing for young adults with disabilities. It helps them build their confidence through providing them with a safe space to open up, express themselves, and build friendships. Young and Free has been awarded with Most Empowering Young PWD Support Organization 2023 – South West England for the positive impact it has on those who come across its services. Members that have access the opportunities that Young and Free makes possible have shared their thoughts about their experience. For example, an individual shares, “Young and Free has helped me a lot to socialize with my disability as find it difficult to make friends, Young and Free has showed me that I can make friends with disabled and non-disabled people.” H Mar23664 Based in Bristol, Young and Free is a non-profit organisation that helps 16-25-year-olds with physical and/or sensory disabilities to build a social network of non-disabled friends. Here we find out more about how it does this and the response from those who get to experience its services!
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