I started attending Group 48 two years ago, and have hardly missed a single session as it is a real highlight of my week. I have made friends with many people, and even met my girlfriend there! All my life I have struggled to forge friendships, so the weekly meetings have been a real blessing for me. Everyone is very kind, helpful and supportive, both staff and attendees, and it is an excellent place to receive advice about areas such as housing, benefits, and employment; these are issues which I have always struggled to negotiate previously.
The atmosphere is quiet and very informal, with no pressure whatsoever to engage in any particular activities; people are free to drop in and do their own thing. This is very important to me as I struggle to engage with new people due to my Asperger syndrome, and I find too much stimulus to be bewildering.
I have recently moved into my first ever flat, due in no small part to the efforts of the staff, who also linked me to some vital contacts within a housing association. Words cannot convey how much I value the time I spend at Group 48 each week, but I can say this: long may it continue!
