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Our Impact
At Sunnybank, impact starts with community.
Whether it’s at a club or through our advocacy service, we create spaces where adults with learning disabilities feel valued, included, and supported.
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In 2024, our community grew by 15% - meaning more people than ever had someone by their side: a trusted person to listen, stand up for them, and celebrate their achievements.
The huge challenges facing the learning disability community:
​We know from the people we support that many are extremely lonely, due to lack of social opportunities, poor levels of literacy, lack of accessible information and being digitally excluded in an increasingly digital world.​​​
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1 in 3 adults with learning disabilities live in poverty
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Research shows that young people with learning disabilities have fewer friends and take part in fewer activities than their peers without LD.
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In Surrey, there are an estimated 21 000 people with learning disabilities, only a quarter receive any form of social care support.
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The life expectancy of people with learning disabilities is 20 years lower than the general population.
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40% of people with learning disabilities still live with parents aged over 60.
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People with learning disabilities are 50 times more likely to experience mental health issues.
98% of our Sunny Afternoon Club members reported attended
nothing else outside of Sunnybank (March, 2025)
What does our impact look like?
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An adult who once felt isolated now looks forward to meeting friends at a Sunny Afternoon Club.
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Someone who struggled to be heard now feels confident speaking up with the support of our advocacy team.
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A young adult leaving education now has the skills and encouragement to take their next steps with our Futures programme.
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Across our Choices clubs, Voices advocacy, and Futures programme, we see the same shift: More connection. More confidence. More belonging.
2024 Outcomes
2600+
delivered hours
of advocacy
15%
increase in the number of people asking for our support
3937
total activity &
club attendances
147
episodes recorded for the Sunny Sessions radio project
18
Futures Programme
graduates
10
presentations & workshops delivered by our Understand Us Consultancy
Our data shows people in our community are happier and feel more confident.
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75% of Futures participants reported feeling more confident
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75% felt more connected and ‘super happy’ with new skills they have learnt
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90% of club participants reported feeling happier to come to Sunnybank clubs​
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Our Advocacy service received a 4.5 out 5 satisfaction rate ​​​​
