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Safe Soulmate – a new dating agency
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Do you want to make new friends or find a loving partner? Are you an adult with learning disabilities or autism, living in Cambridgeshire? You may be interested in a new dating agency, called Safe Soulmate.
Safe Soulmate, was the idea of two friends, Christine O’Neil and Vicky Baddeley (pictured above). It’s received a £10,000 Big Lottery grant and aims to help people find and nurture friendships and loving relationships in a safe way. Christine and Vicky plan to work closely with Dhiverse, a local sexual health agency, which provides excellent workshops to help people develop skills to build and maintain healthy friendships and relationships.
Christine’s background has been working within learning disabilities and children services. She says “I am also a befriender. While talking to one of my friends with learning disabilities about boyfriends, I realised that there was nothing in the Cambridgeshire area to help people like my friend find suitable and safe relationships.”
Vicky works as a befriending co-ordinator for a learning disability charity. She says, “people not only want relationships, but many simply want a friend to talk to. Someone they can get to know and socialise with outside of work or college. People may have friends, but they often live a long way from one another. We want to help bridge the gap, and run fun events like club nights, picnic parties and gaming get togethers. As well as providing a one-to-one matching service.”
Both explained that Safe Soulmate is NOT an online dating/friendship service which could be risky. They will to match people based on interests, and personality amongst other things. They will visit individuals in their home, consider any risks, and ask for two references. Their plan is to recruit volunteers to act as chaperones and help at social events.
"We recognise that it’s crucial for everyone involved to know what’s expected when they find that perfect partner. They both agreed “our priority is for people to have fun in a safe way.”
Launch event
If you or someone you know wants a relationship or to make new friends, why not head along to the launch event in Cambridge on Saturday 23 February. The event is ticketed, though the tickets are free. There will be a silent disco, table magic, glitter/gem makeovers, a nail bar and more. Food, a welcome glass of champagne and soft drinks will be provided. A paid bar will be available.
For tickets and to find out more details, please email info@safesoulmate.org.uk or call Vicky on 07935 866219 or Christine on 07493 542963.
Follow @safesoulmate on twitter, facebook and Instagram.
Find out more about Dhiverse.
The views expressed in the Supported Loving blog are not necessarily those of Choice Support.
Join the Supported Loving network here or contact Dr Claire Bates for more information about Supported Loving.
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