Autonomie has recently welcomed five new members of staff to help support young people living with a disability.
The new members of staff are part of a team that will deliver a new community-based pilot project to support disabled young people aged between 14 and 25.
The three-year project called What Next? will be delivered at the charity's newly opened centre LILAC House (Linked Independent Living and Advice Centre) in the south of the city.
Launching in May 2018, the scheme funded by Big Lottery Fund will provide practical support to help young people with a physical disability lead fuller, more independent lives.
Five new appointments include Fiona Cash who joins the charity as Project Administrator, Danielle Convery and Julie McCloskey who join as Project Workers, Lynne Morrison who joins the charity as Training Officer bringing a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector and Trevor Boyle who joins as Project Coordinator.
Commenting on the new appointments, Paul Jeffers, Chairman at Autonomie said: “We’re delighted to welcome Fiona, Danielle, Julie, Lynne and Trevor to the team. These appointments represent our commitment and determination to build on our success transforming the lives of young people living with disabilities for the better.
Over the past year we have completely transformed the way we work and we are now creating a new vision for the future. We have exciting and ambitious plans and the new staff will be instrumental in enabling us to continue to expand our work and provide even more support to disabled young people, carers, parents and siblings in the Greater Belfast area."
Autonomie's project What Next? starts in May 2018 and will offer young people practical support to help them overcome the challenges they often face moving into adult life.
Through supported learning and recreational opportunities, the scheme will help young people strengthen their support networks, learn new skills and have new experiences.
Around 20 young people per year with the help of trained facilitators will even have the chance to experience independent living in purpose-designed modern and accessible facilities at LILAC House – helping young people transition more successfully into adult life and their own housing.
Families raising disabled children can also access free confidential counselling, training and advice.
Open 7 days a week – on a part-time basis, including some evenings LILAC House will deliver a wide range of community-based activities for local families.
The new modern and accessible facility has a bright and spacious lounge where the local community are welcome to use facilities, a recreation room where young people can enjoy activities, a toy and resource library, a fully equipped kitchen where young people can learn cookery skills, a training room, and a wellbeing room for one-to-one support.
A CHANCE TO VISIT LILAC HOUSE WITH DROP-IN DAY
Autonomie is hosting a LILAC House Drop-In Day, 4 Sandhurst Road, Belfast, BT7 1PW on Wednesday 18 April, 10 am to 3 pm. A chance for young people and local families to visit the new centre and find out more about the support available.
Find out more about LILAC House by contacting Lynne Morrison on 02895918051 or emailing hello@autonomie.org.uk
