What we do
Supported Loving
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Supported Loving highlights the importance of good support in helping people to develop and maintain loving relationships.
Support Loving is a national network that promotes best practice with the goal of getting people with learning disabilities and autistic people the support they need, to enjoy the same sexual and romantic freedoms as everyone else.It was started by Dr Claire Bates, who’s research found that relationships were important to people, but that they often relied on staff support to begin and maintain these relationships.
Founded by Claire in 2017, Supported Loving has been supporting the rights of people with learning disabilities and autistic people and working to identify the barriers they face in having intimate relationships.
Through research, training, creating resources and accessible information on sex and relationships, Supported Loving wants to make love a reality for everyone.
You can read more about Claire’s research here: Claire BATES | University of Kent, Canterbury | KENT | Tizard Centre | Research profile (researchgate.net)
Supported Loving toolkit
The Supported Loving network has produced a series of guides to help support people with issues surrounding sexuality and relationships.
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Useful organisations
Find useful organisations, dating agencies, training providers and LGBTQ+ social groups, for support and information on love, sex and relationships.
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Helpful resources
More helpful resources for people themselves , their staff and families on sex and relationships.
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Supported Loving blogs and publications
Supported Loving is attracting interest from many different people - read what they are saying in their blogs.
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Supported Loving webinars
Find all Supported Loving webinars here, where we discuss good support around sexuality and relationships
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