Learning disability 'love agency'

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 24th Oct 2007

An Oxfordshire charity has launched a pilot project to help adults with learning disabilities find love. The Guideposts Trust's "Mates n' Dates" scheme aims to pair up members across the county, and says if it is successful it could go nationwide.

Co-ordinator Nicola Oddy said some people find it unacceptable for adults with learning disabilities to have intimate relationships. She said there was a strict interview procedure as well as a safety policy.

"They rely very heavily on their friends and family network to make their friends, and very often don't have their own friendship circles," Ms Oddy said. "So that's what we're going to do, which is pair people up who have similar interests and increase their social network."

Sarah and James, whose full names are not being revealed, were at the launch of the service and have been in a relationship since January. "We deserve the rights and the same things as everyone else but we just need a bit more extra help," Sarah said.

James added: "We just want to get people with learning difficulties to get together and start making real friends."

A number of local charities have been working together for the past three years to get the scheme off the ground.

Chris Jones, a clinical psychologist, said some adults with learning disabilities "just want special friends, they want a best friend, to feel someone is taking a special interest in them. But other people are much more clear they want a romantic partnership."