The fear of social change that comes with leaving secondary school is a daunting prospect for most teenagers, but for 16-year-old Lewis Hine it is nothing new.

Having suffered from a brain tumour at a young age, Lewis’ disabled status has meant multiple changes in his social group throughout his life, due to his sporadic absences from school.

“After a certain period of time my friends got to the point where they got a bit fed up of waiting I guess and just moved on and started new friendships with other people” he tells me.

The consequent loneliness and isolation Lewis felt is sadly very common amongst the disabled community, with 50% of disabled people being lonely on any given day (Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness.)

It is an experience few of us able-bodied people have ever had to think about; missing out on social opportunities due to a physical disability, or simply not having the time to spend with friends because of medical commitments. For 34-year-old Katie, it was being repeatedly rejected from employment opportunities that left her feeling a never-ending sense of isolation.

What may seem like a small event can mean so much more to those with physical or mental handicaps, as the frequency of missed social activities becomes a regular disappointment, leaving them feeling entirely alone.