You may be feeling anxious or worried about meeting new people or making friends, this is okay. It can be a little bit scary at first but it get's easier the more time you spend with people.

If you need to take some time out from a group situation if you are feeling overwhelmed, this is also okay. You could have your toolkit that you use when you are feeling anxious or worried, or have one of the following items with you to help you in social situations:

• fidget toys
• ipod or music
• a pillow
• a weighted blanket
• ear defenders
• sensory play doh
• essential oils

It can also be useful to ask for some photos to look at before you go of the people you might see and what the new place looks like - or you could look on their website or Facebook site.

Here are some places you could meet new people:

• Youth club/group
• Community learning class or group
• Volunteering
• SEND events and activities in the community.
• At school, work or training
• Through online communities, like the Ambitious Youth Network   

Have a look at our Facebook page and our SEND Directory to keep up to date with lots of events and activities happening in Milton Keynes.

When you meet new people it's important to listen, as well as talk. You could ask the new person some questions that you think they might want to talk about, some examples are:

'What are your hobbies?'

'Do you go to school, work or do something else?'

'What TV shows are you enjoying watching?'

'What do you like to do on the weekends?'

You could also ask someone about a common interest you both have, this means when you both like the same thing. For example you both might like, gaming, animals, Minecraft, dance and drama - or just about anything really!

There are some topics to avoid talking about as people may not want to share this information or may find it rude. These are things like:

• politics 
• how much money they earn at work
• their sexuality.