Our work in communities

More than 60% of people with learning disabilities feel lonely. - Mencap

Everyone wants to feel like they have a place in their community, and friends to have fun with. Loneliness can even increase the risk of health conditions like dementia, stress, anxiety and depression.

Sharing stories brings us together.

Our picture stories bring people together. Pictures are a shared language. By reading pictures together, we create our own stories, building relationships and helping people to understand the world around them.

We want a world where everyone feels like they belong.

We create age appropriate picture stories about real-world situations, helping open conversations about making friends, going to work, and being part of the community.

We start Book Clubs in libraries, cafes and other community spaces, bringing people with learning disabilities together. They build confidence, provide a way to connect with others in the local community and, most of importantly of all, are fun.

With Access All Areas, we created the BELONG Manifesto, a living manifesto for a better life for people with learning disabilities.

Our charity is founded on the belief that people with learning disabilities and autism should be active and valued members of their community, and have their voices heard.

Start your own Book Club

Through our Book Club in a Box project, we can provide you with everything you need to get started. Our starter kit includes books, training, a detailed How To guide, member badges, lanyards, promotional materials, and access to a network of other Book Clubs for ongoing support.

Thanks to the generous funding from the National Lottery, we’re able to offer this kit free of charge to new Book Clubs based in England. Whether you're creating a group for people with learning disabilities or any community members looking for an inclusive space, we’re here to help you launch your own Book Club.