Sharing the Work: Workshop and pledges gathered at the Learning Disability England Conference 2026

Why social lives are important?

We are social creatures that need companionship and community in order to thrive.

Being socially connected to others:

• eases anxiety and depression
• decreases stress
• boosts self-worth
• provides comfort, prevents loneliness
• increases life expectancy
• improves physical health

What does a social life mean to you?
These are the words, thoughts and experiences shared by people at the Learning Disability England conference during the Our Social Lives workshop. They have been grouped under themes, keeping people’s original words and meaning.

Spontaneous	Happy / support	Interaction
Different for everyone	People with similar activities	Part of a community
Getting out of the house	Doing your own thing	Clubbing / concerts / football
Socialising, environment, charity work, Chinese New Year, cinema trips	Having choice and control, being able to do what you want and with who	Partners / relationships – time to relax
Meeting new people	On my own	Spontaneity

 

What are the biggest barriers to people having a good social life?

• Support workers’ shift patterns meaning people leave events early
• Suitable events and venues not available
• Not having a voice
• Communication difficulties
• Supported living or PA hours ending at 9pm so people can’t go out later than that

 

What could actually change?

• Having a phone buddy every week
• Meeting new people and making friends
• Going out and trying new experiences
• Sports, pubs, festivals, music
• Encourage people to speak out or complain if they can’t go out when they want
• Support being flexible so people can go out later than 9pm

 

Who needs to hear about this work?

• Support workers and teams
• Communities and community groups so they know what people are experiencing and can create welcoming spaces
• Organisations
• Families
• Wider services

 

One thing that really matters to me

• Choice and control over my own social life

 

Pledge Cards

Conference attendees were invited to fill out pledge Our Social Lives Pledge Cards with small changes they promised to make that could create a big change in someone’s life.

Pledge examples

• My Our Social Lives pledge: Make more friends. I will care more for other people. Friends and family. My team. Speak to my key worker.

• My Our Social Lives pledge: Put fear aside. Make time to meet more people. Friends and family. My community. Speak up more.

• My Our Social Lives pledge: Encourage my friends to say when they don’t have the social life they want. People we meet by Paradigm and on our website. People knowing they have rights to a social life. Speak up.

• My Our Social Lives pledge: Work with other local organisations to encourage peer support. Leeds Learning Disability Partnership Board. Being Social. Leeds. Feedback to Our Social Lives group.

• My Our Social Lives pledge: After today, I will talk about the Our Lives project with everyone. This will make a difference to anyone that needs or wants it.

• After today, I will make more time to go out and try new things. Talk with friends and people I support. This will help people feel less alone. I will start with one plan this week.

• After today, I will support people to have more choice and control. Talk with my team. This will help people do what they want. I will ask what people want more often.

• After today, I will encourage people to speak up. Talk with people I support and families. This will help people know their voice matters. I will make space for honest conversations.

• After today, I will help create opportunities to connect. Talk with local groups. This will help people feel part of something. I will link people with shared interests.

• After today, I will be more open to spontaneity. Talk with colleagues. This will help people have more flexible lives. I will say yes more often.