Uniting Friends

Uniting Friends is a social inclusion project for adults with a learning disability based in NE London. Our services cover Redbridge, Newham, Havering, Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenahm and Essex. Their vision is for a world which recognises, values and celebrates the lives and equal participation of people with a learning disability in society.

Uniting Friends' purpose is to provide opportunities for people to take part in social and educational activities, express their unique identities and develop their skills to reach their full potential in the community.

Uniting Friends is a user-led service which ensures that adults with a learning disability take an active role in defining and running their own provision.

Our Services

All our services are open to people who become members of Uniting Friends. The first step to becoming a member is to contact us and make an appointment to visit. A discussion will take place about what groups and activities you would like to do.

Out There! Evenings and Weekends

A comprehensive programme of activities are arranged each month both locally and London-wide, designed and chosen by service users themselves. Examples of these include theatre and educational trips, sporting activities, meals out, cinema and much much more! There are also short break holidays in the UK and holidays abroad on offer over the year.

Out There!- Evenings also offers weekly drop-ins sessions which includes social time in a local pub plus Change 4 Life health activities get people involved in things such as cookery, dance and yoga.

As part of the same service, we also run Network Groups. This is popular with service users who are looking for closer friendships or those looking to do their ‘own thing’ with regard to activities. Together with a worker, they plan their own social calendar with three or four friends.

Out There! Daytime

This is a Monday to Friday service that offers an enourmous range of activities that promote personal development and independance. These include basic skills learning, supported college, a huge choice of sports sessions, arts and crafts, dance and horticultural activities.

All activities are supported by our team of friendly, qualified and experienced staff. Activity prices vary so look at our latest brochure online for details.

Sprout There! is a horticultural employment and training programme offering participants an opportunity to grow their own food and learn how to cook it! It operates from Monday to Thursday. Sprout There can be booked separately or as part of the Out There! daytime programme.

The Groovy Cat Club: This groovy club night is run by and for people with learning disabilities and their friends in the heart of Ilford. The club runs the first Thursday of every month and is just £3 entry. Membership isnt needed, just turn up and bring your own support worker. Members of Uniting Friends can buy their support worker if they prefer.

How to buy services for the above activities

Contact us and we will discuss this with you. For some members this may be free. Services that do not need payment can be purchased directly by yourself or through Direct Payments, Personal Budgets or through Local Authority commissioned services. The cost of services will depend on the level of support needed and this will be assessed when you pay us a visit. If you pay, prices start at just £5 hour.

Why not arrange to come and visit us? We can even arrange a free "taster" day to see if you like our service.