A social group for disabled adults
in the Bedford area
FLAG Bedford
Friendship Link and Action Group
Registered Charity No. 1165681
FLAG was founded by the John Grooms Lifestyle
Choices Project, who support disabled adults into
educational and leisure activities. The Bedford based
Lifestyle Choices staff recognised a lack of social events
for disabled adults in Bedfordshire and encouraged a
group of volunteers and service users to form an
independent organisation to fill the void, thus FLAG was
launched in April 2006 with a start-up £5,000 ‘Awards for
All’ grant.
Although FLAG was an independent, user-led voluntary
organisation, with its own committee, bank account and
constitution; it retained strong links with Grooms
Shaftesbury. FLAG volunteers worked out of their office
and most of its members were referrals from the project.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding the charity closed
its Bedford office in August 2011.
FLAG continued and now operates out of a hired room at
Priory Methodist Church, Bedford.
History of FLAG
The people accessing our services are disadvantaged
by means of disability, which in many cases results in
social isolation, poverty and boredom.
The three major barriers to social inclusion faced by
disabled adults are transport, support and low income.
FLAG solves all these problems by providing transport
and support at subsidised events.
In the Bedford area, according to the JSNA (Joint
Strategic Needs Assessment), there is a "lack of
services to support adults with a disability to lead a
normal life, such as lack of support to access
community activities, support to make friends and to
have relationships.” FLAG plays a big part in plugging
that gap.
FLAG Bedford is run by disabled people for disabled
people. Ideas for events come from members
themselves.
We also keep in contact with our members with a
regular newsletter.
As well as enjoying a day out many of our members
have made new friends and carry on those friendships
outside of FLAG. They have also gained the experience
and confidence to become more independent.
Outcomes
Need for FLAG
