Local families

Autonomie supports disabled young people using technology during coronavirus pandemic

In the news - media release

24 April 2020

IMG_7763.jpeg

Autonomie have been adapting to the coronavirus outbreak by digitising key services and reaching disabled young people via virtual means.

Under normal circumstances the Belfast-based youth disability charity helps disabled youngsters with self-confidence and life skills in Belfast and surrounding areas.

Now, with social distancing regulations in effect, Autonomie has been running virtual exercise and cookery sessions, check-in-and-catch-up video calls and Makaton sign of the week.

Some young people have even been taking part in a weekly task such as preparing a healthy meal and with a prize for the young person who completes the most tasks during lockdown, many have got involved.

Autonomie Chief Officer Lynne Morrison said: “As a youth disability charity we recognise that vulnerable young people with additional needs and their families in Belfast and surrounding areas will need our services now more than ever so it was vital that we changed the way we worked to support our service users.

“Our volunteers and staff have worked extremely hard to digitally transform our services to ensure our community is supported at this incredibly difficult time.

“Government guidelines mean we aren’t able to deliver group activities. overnight stays, or counselling at the moment, so we are using video, telephone calls, message apps and social media to reach young people and their parents."

The charity has also been using digital technology to deliver live singalongs, family quizzes and arts & crafts.

Parents can access a free and confidential telephone counselling service, a support helpline and the charity regularly shares information and resources across its social media platforms.

Ms Morrison continues: “We'd like to reassure young people and parents who use our services that we are committed to continuing to provide the best quality support, interventions and signposting to support good mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

“I’m delighted to see so many of our young people are involved. Being able to provide these young people with structured opportunities to chat with their peers, take part in video app quizzes as well as take part in the weekly task has really made a difference by reducing levels of isolation.

“Young people are still able to continue to learn new and develop existing life skills by taking part in the weekly task at home which they would normally develop during group activities at our centre Lilac House.

“The weekly task has proven a real boost for their self confidence and wellbeing. There’s a real sense of achievement.

“I’m so proud too of our volunteers and staff. Not only have they modified and digitised programmes, they have continued to invest in their learning and professional development by completing online courses such as suicide awareness whilst working from home.”

Weekly tasks the young people have already completed include making a healthy meal, doing an exercise activity and even cleaning the door handles in their homes to help keep them and their family safe.

Young person Stephanie Hewitt who takes part in Autonomie’s online programmes said: “Autonomie is so much fun. I miss going to Lilac House and not being able to go to places with Autonomie but I get to chat to everyone on video every week.

“I love singing and we created a video singalong which was so much fun.

“I’ve been taking part in the weekly task challenge and I hope I win.”

The charity will be launching more initiatives to support disabled young people and their families over the coming months.

For more information about Autonomie you can visit http://www.autonomie.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support Thank Freedom2Choose young people for 'Coffee Afternoon' Fundraiser

Macmillan Cancer Support Thank Freedom2Choose young people for 'Coffee Afternoon' Fundraiser

We are so proud of Freedom2Choose young people for hosting the recent 'Afternoon Coffee event at Lilac House.

The event raised £400.00 for Macmillan Cancer Support and all thanks to the generosity of families, friends, volunteers, staff and many more in our community including our furry friends who even joined in.

Autonomie helps promote promote positive mental health in local families

Autonomie helps promote promote positive mental health in local families

Providing practical support to families raising a young person with additional needs is a key focus of our work.

Promoting positive mental health in Parents, Carers and Siblings is vital and we are proud to deliver practical services to support local families.

Freedom2Choose young people hold Coffee Afternoon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Freedom2Choose young people hold Coffee Afternoon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

On the afternoon of Saturday 28 September Freedom2Choose young people held a ‘World’s Biggest Morning Morning’ event at Lilac House, Belfast in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended and donated.

***We raised a grand total of £400.00!***

Freedom2Choose young people to hold 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' at Lilac House in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Freedom2Choose young people to hold 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' at Lilac House in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Autonomie is hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning this Saturday (September 28) in Belfast. The open event will be held at the charity's centre Lilac House (Linked Independent Living and Advice Centre) and is being organised by young people with additional needs in the community that attend the charity's practical activity programme Freedom2Choose.

The event offers visitors the chance to look around the modern and accessible centre, socialise and enjoy coffee and cake prepared by the young people using the kitchen at the centre.

Autonomie to offer young people and families CPCAB Counselling Course Qualification

Autonomie to offer young people and families CPCAB Counselling Course Qualification

Exciting opportunity for all the family!

We are delighted to offer young people with additional needs, carers, parents and siblings the chance to gain a CPCAB Introduction to Counselling Skills (Level 2) qualification.

The course is planning to start in Autumn 2019 and likely to run on Saturdays 10.00 am - 12.00 for 15 weeks.

Accredited by CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Awarding Body), the course will develop your listening skills and improve your communication.

The classes will be very practical and hopefully fun!

Special message of thanks to all who helped make Strictly Our Achievements Celebration Event a success

Special message of thanks to all who helped make Strictly Our Achievements Celebration Event a success

Huge thanks to everyone who made the Strictly Our Achievements Celebration Event a success yesterday, especially the young people who not only were involved in the event planning right from the start but those too involved in the delivery of the event - you were all the stars of the show yesterday evening, especially Stephanie for your beautiful solo performance of All of Me by John Legend.

Your views sought for SBNI e-Safety Strategy and Three year Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2019- 2022

Your views sought for SBNI e-Safety Strategy and Three year Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2019- 2022

Opportunity to share your views.

The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) invites your views on their draft e-Safety Strategy and Three Year Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2019 – 2022.

This consultation seeks your views on our new e-Safety Strategy which sets out how all children and young people in Northern Ireland can, as far as possible, be kept safe and secure online.

Autonomie is committed to supporting carers

Autonomie is committed to supporting carers

We know life as a carer can sometimes be challenging, but is always rewarding. We know parents, carers and siblings should be able to access practical support and that's why we are enhancing our services to support more carers like you.

Our Family Support Service offers parents, carers and siblings practical support including free confidential counselling using trained professionals.

From our new centre at Lilac House (Linked Independent Living and Advice Centre) carers can access a range of practical support including training and signposting.