💡 2005 – The Idea Is Born

• During a bowling trip, the mothers of Karl and Hannah—two disabled young adults—discuss their children’s struggles with isolation after college.
• Realizing many others face the same challenges, they imagine a peer-led befriending scheme to offer connection and support.

🌱 Late 2005 – Pilot Buddying Scheme Launched

• A small trial program is introduced.
• It quickly proves essential, showing how powerful and needed social support for disabled young people truly is.

🚀 2006 – Gaining Momentum

• Young and Free receives a three-year ‘Opportunities for Volunteers’ grant with help from SCOPE.
• This funding enables development and growth of the service.

🏛️ 2007 – Official Charity Status

• With SCOPE’s guidance, Young and Free becomes a registered charity.
• Founding Trustees include Karl and Hannah, keeping the charity led by those it supports.

👥 2008 – Building the Team

• A successful Big Lottery Fund application allows the charity to hire a part-time Project Coordinator.
• In 2009, Ligia joins the team in this role.

🔄 2012 – Leadership from Within

• Ligia steps down.
• Laura, a former Young and Free member who joined at 16, becomes Project Coordinator at 18.
• As someone who experienced the charity first-hand, she brings fresh energy and a deeply personal perspective.

🌟 Today – Empowering Young People

• Young and Free continues to evolve, always with disabled young people at its heart.
• From a small peer-support idea to a thriving, inclusive charity—our mission remains: to change lives through friendship, connection, and empowerment.

 

 

 

 

Mark  – Chairman “I initially joined Young and Free as a volunteer to support my sister, who had suffered a brain injury. Over time, I was invited to become a trustee, and one year later, I was elected Chairman. It gives me great pleasure to give back to the group in this capacity. I love seeing new members join, watching them grow and develop into adulthood, and creating long-lasting friendships.”

 

Marie -Treasurer & Trustee 

“Having a social life is important for everyone, especially teenagers and young adults. However, many disabled young people find it hard to connect with others without help, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and mental health issues.

The Young and Free Charity was started by the parents of two disabled young adults, Karl and Hannah, who felt isolated after returning home from a residential college where they had enjoyed a social life. Their mothers talked about these struggles while bowling in 2005 and realized many other disabled young people in Bristol faced similar challenges. They decided to create a support system led by the young people themselves.

In 2005, they launched a pilot buddy program, which quickly showed that it was essential for many disabled young people’s social lives. The charity Young and Free was officially established with support from SCOPE and grant funding in 2006. By 2007, it became a registered charity with Karl and Hannah as original board members.

In 2008, they received funding from the Big Lottery to hire a part-time Project Coordinator, Ligia, who joined in 2009. After her term, Laura, a young member since age sixteen, took over the role in 2012 and helped the charity thrive.

Now, Young and Free is successfully run by disabled young people and has made a real difference in their lives.”

Laura – Project Coordinator 

 “I joined as a teenage member in 2008, it has been amazing to see young and free grow and go from strength to strength, I have been Project Coordinator since 2012 and am so proud to be part of what we do here”