Penpal for a teenager with a learning disability?

penguingirl

I just stumbled over this thread- and agree with sulkisi that it would be a wonderful thing to set up a more formal system of organising penpals. I work with adults with learning disabilities and so many of them would love something like this. I wonder if a charity such as Mencap would be able to advise?

kingfisherblue

Sorry I haven't been online for a couple of days.

I agree that there is a gap that could be filled, and I think that people with learning difficulties would enjoy receiving a hand written letter as much as anyone. Writing one themselves could be a challenge for many, but the end result could mean that it is worth it.

Unfortunately I do not have the time at present to take on such a venture. In addition to caring for my son, I also volunteer at my local community centre and for a local group for children with disabilities and their siblings. I am the Guider in charge at a Rainbow unto and a Brownie unit, and am adviser for disabilities for Guiding in my area (although admittedly the last role takes up little to no time at all - few Guiders have queries for me to deal with).

My son has now written letters to the two people who have sent me a PM. Well, to be accurate he has written to the sister of one poster and the son of another. Tomorrow he is posting them. He has really enjoyed writing them and has only made a couple of spelling mistakes

Thanks to all who have helped on this thread, with special thanks to the two posters who have arranged a penal for my son. If anyone ever does set up a scheme for people with learning difficulties to gain penpals, I would be very interested to hear about it . I'm just sorry that I do not have the time to do it myself.