The Fun and Friendship was a £3 million grant programme from BBC Children in Need, which was additional to our other grant programmes

Informed by research undertaken by the University of Birmingham, BBC Children in Need designed the Fun and Friendship Programme which funded ten projects over three years to create and enhance opportunities for disabled young people to meet friends and have a good time as independently as possible. The programme showed how changes of attitude and training can make a huge difference in removing barriers to fun and friendship.

Following the initial 10 projects, the programme continued to fund two projects for a further three years – their work included creating expert resources and information to support others to change their practice.

Our summary report outlines the key findings of the Fun & Friendship Programme. The document was published at a major event in the House of Lords on Monday 28 October, 2013, when an influential audience was able to hear directly from some of the young people who participated in the programme.

Read the full report.

The Fun and Friendship projects

Running from 2010 to 2013, the programme supported ten organisations working with disabled young people aged between 12 and 18. Working closely with BBC Children in Need, the projects:

• Actively supported disabled young people to have fun, meet friends and develop the confidence and skills to enjoy a more independent social life.
• Promoted participation and leadership of young people.
• Supported young people to challenge the barriers they have identified.
• Shared learning across projects through regular events.
• Shared learning with other organisations working in the sector and with other funders.
• Helped to challenge attitudes and influence policy and practice – locally, regionally and nationally.