Our impact

People with learning disabilities and autism face social, employment, and health challenges and are more likely than non-disabled people to experience isolation, exclusion, and discrimination in their day-to-day lives. 

• On average, women and men with a learning disability die 23 and 20 years younger respectively than those without a learning disability (LeDeR, 2022-2023; ONS, 2022).
• The average age of death for people with a learning disability who are from minoritised ethnic backgrounds is 34 years, compared to white people with learning disabilities whose average life expectancy is 62 (2023 NHS Race & Health Observatory Report). 
• Over one third of people with a learning disability feel lonely nearly always or all of the time (Hft Lockdown on Loneliness Report, 2021).
• In London, only 5.3% of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority are in paid employment (NHS Digital, Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, 2022) compared to around 80% of the population without a learning disability. 

We aim to tackle these inequalities. All our programmes are designed to support around 175 students a year to:

• Improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing;

• Develop their independent living skills;

• Have the confidence and opportunities to participate in their communities;

• Take part in voluntary and paid work through their own skills development, and by educating and influencing wider society about the benefits of employing adults with learning disabilities and autism.

The Outcomes Star tool that we use to measure progress shows that over the past five years our students have on average improved scores by 20% across nine areas:

1. Practical skills

2. Communication and social skills  

3. Learning skills   

4. Physical health  

5. Living skills

6. Friends and relationships

7. Wellbeing

8. Social responsibility

9. Work readiness

This means that our students have experienced better health and wellbeing, connected more with other people, and learnt how to do more things for themselves, helping them to feel happier, included, and valued. 

93% say that coming to Share helps them make friends.

85% say that coming to Share helps them to be healthier.

89% say that coming to Share helps them to do things by themselves.