23 Apr 2026
Hamelin welcomed volunteers, participants and partners to a special showcase event to celebrate the success and continued growth of its Links befriending service across mid and south Essex.
The event brought together Links volunteers and the people they support, alongside local commissioners, social workers and care providers. Representatives from the National Lottery, whose three-year funding has enabled the programme to expand, were also in attendance.
Currently operating in Braintree, Chelmsford and Basildon, Links has already supported many autistic adults and people with learning disabilities to become more active and engaged in their local communities. Plans are in place to expand the service into other areas of Essex throughout 2027 and 2028.
Visitors were given a powerful insight into the impact of Links through a series of video testimonials from participants and volunteers, showcasing how the service is helping autistic adults and people with learning disabilities to build friendships, grow in confidence and feel more connected to their communities.
Links was launched following a successful two-year pilot in Braintree and Chelmsford, funded by Essex County Council. The pilot demonstrated clear demand for this type of support, receiving almost double the expected number of referrals and highlighting the level of unmet need across Essex, particularly for people without access to social care funding or community-based support.
Ru Watkins, Chief Executive of Hamelin, said: "Links is all about connection, confidence and community. We are seeing first-hand how bringing people together through shared interests can have a lasting impact on people’s lives. Just as importantly, this programme is helping to strengthen collaboration between the charity sector and the NHS, building more resilient systems of support that work better for everyone.
"We are incredibly grateful to Essex County Council for funding the original pilot, which gave us the foundation to develop and grow this model, and to the National Lottery for their continued support, which is enabling us to expand and reach even more people. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved so far and excited about the opportunity to build on this success in the years ahead."
The event also provided valuable networking opportunities, bringing professionals and community partners together to strengthen relationships and support more joined up working across the region.
Hamelin’s Links service is free to access and supports adults aged 18 and over who identify as autistic or as having a learning disability, helping people feel more included, connected and confident in everyday community life.
The showcase event reflected a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and connected Essex, where collaboration and resilience continue to shape support for the future.
Find out more about Links by clicking here.