About us

A voluntary organisation in Cheshire East for disabled children and young people.

At Friends for Leisure, we believe that disabled children and young people have the same rights to get involved in everyday friendship and leisure activities as other children and young people.

Our objectives are to provide disabled children with the opportunities to have fun, make friends and do the everyday things that other children and young people take for granted. We do this by:

  • consulting with disabled children, young people, parents and carers and promoting their needs to providers of leisure activities
  • creating opportunities for disabled children and young people to develop friendships
  • providing a flexible and individual service that responds to the needs and aspirations of disabled children and young people
  • enabling disabled children and young people to have access to, and participate in, everyday leisure activities
  • supporting young volunteers to develop and maintain positive, supporting friendships with disabled children and young people

History

Friends for Leisure was formed in 1995, following a Cheshire Social Services survey, which revealed that many disabled children faced barriers to participation, leaving them at risk of issues including isolation, poor well-being, low levels of confidence and little independence.

Friends for Leisure was formed under the umbrella of Macclesfield and District Council for Voluntary Service.

In 1998, Friends for Leisure became a registered charity and since then many hundreds of disabled children and young people have benefited from the friendships and leisure activities provided.

In 2008 the charity was awarded funding to spread its reach across Cheshire East. Since then, it has developed and refined its model of working to the successful one used today.

Friends for leisure - Two girls smiling

Click below to download a copy of our general leaflet:

  • I’ve enjoyed building relationships with the young people and actually having a laugh while building their communication skills as well as mine!

    Lara, FFL volunteer