A YOUNG woman with learning difficulties has been honoured for her work to support others with similar conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Molly Kirby, from Paddington, launched the MacIntyre Great Communities Friendship Group in collaboration with national learning disabilities charity MacIntyre back in 2018.

This year, the 26-year-old stepped up to move group sessions online in order to allow them to continue helping people throughout the Covid-19 crisis – which threatened to isolate vulnerable people even more.

Now Dimensions, an organisation supporting people with learning difficulties, has named Molly on its Coronavirus Learning Disability and Autism Leaders List.

She said: “I’m going to use my Leaders List award to keep building the Friendship Group so fewer people are lonely.”

Warrington Guardian:

Molly set up the group to make new friends and reach out to other people with learning disabilities and autism who find new relationships difficult.

The online group sessions allowed both new members to join and existing members to develop their digital skills, becoming a highlight for many members and inspiring others to lead their own sessions too.

Peter Connor, MacIntyre's Great Communities project manager in Warrington, added: “It’s been a genuine pleasure to see Molly lead the way with the friendship group.

“She is passionate about getting to know new people and utilising the friendship group to address social isolation for people with a learning disability and or autism in Warrington.

“I have also seen Molly’s confidence and leadership qualities flourish working with others at the friendship group. and she is now taking the lead with communication during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“She is a credit to herself and MacIntyre Great Communities."