Following our first ever annual conference in August 2024, we launched our Love Without Limits Campaign which will feature a variety of impactful stories from Dates-n-Mates members.
We start with Lindsey and Maurice, Dates-n-Mates Aberdeen members.
Lindsey & Maurice's Story
Lindsey lives in a care home in Aberdeenshire. Before Dates-n-Mates, she typically only socialised close to where she lived, attending community centre and church hall events. This meant that her chances of meeting someone new for friendships or a relationship were very limited.
“I wanted to join for friendship, I didn’t have many friends outside of the care home I live in. Life was boring before Dates-n-Mates. It was challenging to meet new people to date or socialise with. My main socialising was going to a local weekly disco in my town, where I knew everyone already.”
Lindsey met Maurice, at her first ever Dates-n-Mates event. Maurice had been a member for a little while, attending events and making friends. He was delighted to meet Lindsey.
“I met Lindsey at a Dates-n-Mates event. We were chatting and I gave her my number on a napkin. A few weeks later I asked her to be my girlfriend”
Ever since, they have been in regular direct contact with each other and go on a variety of meaningful dates. They are officially boyfriend and girlfriend.
This is Lindsey’s first successful and healthy romantic relationship, and it’s all because of attending a Dates-n-Mates event. It was an opportunity to meet new people that she otherwise wouldn’t have had.
We asked them both to tell us more about their relationship:
Lindsey: “My relationship is good; Maurice makes me laugh and we speak about our future together. He tells me he wants to get engaged one day!”
Maurice: “My relationship with Lindsey is very strong and very good. We go out on dates, we go for meals out, we go to Stonehaven beach, and we have been to Dundee together!”
Lindsey and Maurice both have support staff who understand the importance of their relationship and ensure they are supported on their dates. The couple also have the full support and guidance from Dates-n-Mates, and we love to see them together at our events in Aberdeen.
They are a wonderful example of what Love Without Limits is all about.
Read their Press and Journal article: Aberdeen couple share their love story
You can support our Love Without Limits Campaign to ensure more people with a learning disability find meaningful relationships, like Lindsey and Maurice have.
Donate to our Love without Limits fundraising campaign to help us continue supporting love and friendship for adults with a learning disability.
