K&DMS has only the highest aspirations for what can be achieved and enjoyed by anyone with a learning disability. We want to live in a community where people with a learning disability are valued equally, listened to and included.  We provide essential support in the form of a fully inclusive rich program of activities, trips, events, clubs and holidays for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, complex needs and autism, some of whom also have physical disabilities.  Our range of weekly clubs include; social clubs for adults and children, music lessons plus concert performances, as well as sports clubs such as football, bowling and general fitness.  

We organise group holidays, which are so valued, by our members and their families as the only holiday for many people.

We provide social opportunities to be involved in their community, learn new skills, meet people and develop friendships just like anyone else. People with a learning disability tend to have smaller social networks and their relationships are not as strong as those of people without a learning disability. Their social networks are often characterised by relationships with support staff and the people they live with. Typically 1 in 3 young people with a learning disability spend less than 1 hour a day outside their homes, which as many of us learned in lockdown is very isolating. Friendships help everyone feel happier, included and valued, enhancing wellbeing.

Although friendships are important to people with a learning disability, they tend to have fewer friends and fewer opportunities for socialising than the general population.  Having an active social life can help people with a learning disability to feel happier, included and valued.  Having friends can also help people with a learning disability to be more confident and independent, and may encourage them to take part in more social activities in the community.  In turn, this can improves social attitudes towards learning disability because positive direct contact with people with a learning disability is an effective way of improving understanding of and attitudes towards them. An active social life helps to reduce loneliness and improve mental and physical health and we aspire to this for everyone.