ABC (Awareness, Balance, Choice), Dhiverse

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The ABC (Awareness, Balance, Choice) programme provides sex and relationships education for people with a learning disability or difficulty. It is run by Dhiverse, a sexual health charity in Cambridge.

The programme is delivered in six weekly sessions for small groups with additional needs in mainstream schools and colleges, in special schools and in social enterprises that employ people with a learning disability or difficulty. The service also provides one-to-one support for individuals and for couples who are referred by their parents and professionals who work with them.

Liz MacKenzie, ABC programme manager, says the service helps overcome the problems of young people with autism or learning disabilities feeling isolated, lacking the opportunity to meet potential partners and who struggle to form relationships. It also challenges negative attitudes to young people with learning disabilities forming long-term relationships. "Some young people we work with say: ‘No, I can't do that'. They have been told it's not for them, or it's dirty," MacKenzie explains.