Keeping People Connected
The service offers free, regular, ongoing support for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults across County Durham. You don't need a formal diagnosis to receive support. If you, or someone you know would like support, please get in touch using our Contact Us page.
About Keeping People Connected
Our Keeping People Connected service was set up during the pandemic to support people to keep safe, well and connected. Today, the service can support you with:
- Improving your mental health and wellbeing
- Confidence building
- Making friends
- Understanding relationships
- Independence skills
- Social interaction
- Accessing services in your community
- Getting help whilst waiting for specialist support
- Understanding your diagnosis
- Finding out about other support services
- Foodbank vouchers
- Household support
- Advice about energy bills
- Understanding your benefits
- Volunteering, training and employment
The project launched in April 2020 as part of a regional response coordinated by The North East Learning Disability Network and Inclusion North. 14 organisations from across the North East and Cumbria were involved in the delivery of the project, supporting over 1,100 people in the first 3 months.
The project supports people by phone, email, text and social media including daily group video calls allowing people to connect with friends online in a safe environment. There is a closed Keeping Connected Facebook group people can join too.
The project has been life-saving for many, providing vital support around mental health, loneliness, isolation and social exclusion.
friendship friday
Every week our Friendship Friday group meets in Bishop Auckland to make friends, build confidence and keep active. The group regularly take part in activity walks, pool & snooker, boxercise, karaoke, bowling and more!
For more information contact us on 01388 449410 or email us at Hello@bridgecreative.org
If you are an adult with a learning disability or an autistic adult living in county Durham, you are welcome to join the group. We run from 3:30pm till 5:00pm every Friday and meet at The COSE, 1 Dorset Place, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6TH.