Loneliness
How to read the stories

Loneliness

Friendships and relationships are important elements in everyone’s life. Without them we can become lonely, and our mental health can suffer.

Making friends can be particularly hard for many people with learning disabilities, who may have fewer social opportunities than other people. They may not have as much choice about their friends, and stick to family and to the people they live with.

Sometimes people who have paid staff think of their staff as friends, but these friendships are often one-sided and can vanish when the workforce changes. People with learning disabilities who do not get any support, on the other hand, may be especially at risk of isolation and depression.

How to read the stories

There is no right or wrong way to read the stories.

Some people are not used to reading stories. Start at the beginning and read the story in each picture. Encourage the reader to move through the pages at their own pace.
Encourage the person to tell the story in their own words. You will discover what they think is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. If you are using the pictures to help explain a procedure to someone, you may need to describe or clarify the actions being shown in each picture to help them understand. Try not to challenge the reader(s) or suggest their ideas are wrong.
Some pictures may be more difficult to understand. It can help to prompt the people you are supporting, for example:
• Who do you think that is?
• What is happening?
• How is he or she feeling?
• Do you feel like that? Has it happened to you/ your friend/ your family?
Allow people enough time to follow the pictures at their own pace. Allow time for discussion of each picture.
Some people may benefit from reading the larger story from which the extract has been taken. This will allow them to explore their feelings and experiences in more depth. To buy the complete book, follow the link to the bookshop that appears at the end of the story.