An exploration and proposed taxonomy of leisure–befriending for adults with learning disabilities

© 2019 The Authors. British Journal of Learning Disabilities Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd Taking part in leisure activities is beneficial, yet many adults with learning disabilities are unable to participate in their preferred activities because of cost, because not having anyone to go with or because they do not feel welcome. Befriending is where someone volunteers to act as a friend. Befriending may be a way for adults with learning disabilities to participate in leisure activities with someone who is not a paid carer or family. The author spent time with four people with learning disabilities and their befrienders to find out what things they do together and what they both get from it. Friends and family members were also interviewed. Participants enjoyed the time they spent together. However, they often did the same activities they would do with paid carers or family and the relationship was sometimes quite professional. Befriending could be a way for adults with learning disabilities to have new, beneficial experiences, but we need to know more about how relationships work. Abstract: Background Leisure time for adults with learning disabilities is often diversionary and spent doing passive, solitary or family-orientated activities. Befriending, as a hybrid “natural” support, may help adults with learning disabilities overcome the barriers to participation in nonsegregated leisure. Materials and methods Four case studies of pairs of “befrienders” and “befriendees” were recruited purposively. Participant observation was carried out with each case, followed by semi-structured interviews with participants and relevant stakeholders. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Befriending activities were mostly limited to enjoyable yet “casual” leisure activities that adults with learning disabilities might already participate in with family and paid service providers. Negotiating the befriender role between friend and professional was an ongoing challenge. Conclusions Outcomes of leisure–befriending relationships for adults with learning disabilities are linked to both the nature of relationships and the types of activities undertaken. There are four proposed ideal types of leisure–befriending relationship, yet repeating familiar “casual” leisure activities means adults with learning disabilities risk missing out on novel leisure and social experiences.