Having a sense of purpose gives our lives direction. It helps us feel that we belong, that we have something to contribute and that our strengths are recognised. For young adults with additional needs, opportunities to experience achievement and connection can have a huge impact on confidence and wellbeing.

For many older people, maintaining a sense of meaning can become more challenging following retirement, bereavement, declining health, or changes in independence. Yet research consistently shows that purpose remains one of the strongest contributors to wellbeing throughout later life.