Santa Saturday 2022

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at Autonomie!

We are excited to welcome Autonomie Registered Families to Autonomie’s annual festive time event Santa Saturday on 3rd December 2022.

Families please arrive at 11.00am for refreshments, there will also be a craft stall selling items made by the Young People.

Santa hopes to arrive by 11.45am to distribute gifts.

This all happens at Belvoir Youth Centre, 2 Dunseverick Avenue, Belvoir Drive, Belfast BT8 7DL

Looking forward to seeing you all for our Christmas Event!

Planning for the future workshop

Autonomie Planning for the Future Workshop for Autonomie Registered Parents

When: Thursday 24th November

Time: 7:00pm

Venue: Via Zoom (you can join us on Zoom from the comfort of your own home or join us here in Lilac House

As parents or carers of a child/young person with a Learning Disability you know the need to put Will’s in place that provide for them after your passing.

You want to leave them an inheritance to improve the quality of their life and to pay for those things that the State can’t provide.

However, you know that anything you leave would cause the loss of all their means tested benefits or social care and support packages.

The good news is that there is an answer to your questions and there is a clear path through these difficulties.

This FREE online workshop is aimed at giving you some immediate Do’s and Don’ts as parents of a child/young person with a Learning Disability.

It will help you understand the pitfalls in making a Will and give you easy to understand advice on how you can successfully prepare and plan for the future.

If you have already a Will in place, this workshop will still be of benefit to you by providing reassurance you have indeed the best possible arrangements in place or maybe provide you with a few additional things to consider.

If you are an Autonomie Registered Family and want to find out more or register for the workshop, please email Sharon Quinn, Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator at sharon.autonomie@gmail.com or call her directly on 07872519900

Latest Freedom2Choose programme

Freedom2Choose programme is all about young people with additional needs having fun and having access to activities all young people should be able to access.

From social and recreational group-based activities to enjoying what the local community has to offer, Freedom2Choose offers these young people vital opportunities to social, feel part of a community and so much more.

The latest exciting activities programme schedule for November - December 2022 is now available.

Event: ‘Autonomie Mums Night In’ 18th November 2022, 6pm at Lilac House

Calling All Mums!

Date for your diary! - Friday 18th November 2022 at 6pm

Event: ‘Autonomie Mums Night In’

Venue: Lilac House

Here at Autonomie we know how important it is for our Mum’s to take time out for self-care, to rest, recharge and do that one thing you really enjoy but haven’t got round to doing!

Remember, self-care isn’t selfish, it’s sacred.

So join us for our 1st ever Face 2 Face Family Voice Hub ‘Mums Night In’ - an evening of gossip, giggles and relaxation with the team.

• On Arrival: Drinks and Nibbles

• Followed by: An Avon Party hosted by Janice, our very own Glam Goddess (you might even pickup the Perfect Christmas Gift)

• To Wrap the Evening Up: Mindfulness with Grainne. This session will help you wind down and re-energise.

It can be easy to rush through life and as a mum and carer of a child/young person with additional needs it’s important to take time out to relax and reset.

If you are an Autonomie Registered Mum and want to find out more or register for the event, please email Sharon Quinn, Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator at sharon.autonomie@gmail.com or call her directly on 07872519900

Bingo Night Fundraiser Friday 4th November

BINGO NIGHT Fundraising for Autonomie is being held in Civil Service Sports Club, The Pavillion, Stormont Estate, Dundonald Belfast BT4 3TA on Friday 4 November 2022.

The fun starts at 7.15pm with FREE game of Bingo as everyone will receive 2 Complimentary Bingo cards when they buy a ticket.

Ticket prices are:

✔️ Adults £15.00

✔️ Young People (under 30) £7.50

A finger buffet will be served after the 1st game.

Entertainment with a DJ with some music between 9.00pm – 11.00pm

If Autonomie registered families would like to support this event, please contact Autonomie Chief Officer Lynne Morrison before Friday 21 October 2022.

Latest Freedom2Choose activities schedule

Freedom2Choose programme is all about young people with additional needs having fun and having access to activities all young people should be able to access.

From social and recreational group-based activities to enjoying what the local community has to offer, Freedom2Choose offers these young people vital opportunities to social, feel part of a community and so much more.

The latest exciting activities programme schedule for September - October 2022 is now available.

Autonomie Summer Scheme 2022

We are delighted to announce the return of the The Autonomie Summer Scheme!

The Autonomie Summer Scheme 2022 runs July and August in partnership with The National Lottery Community Community Fund NI.

Autonomie Summer Scheme 2022 key dates:

19th July - 22nd July inclusive

9th August - 11th August inclusive

Carers Week 6-12 June: What’s on at Family Voice Hub

Sharon and the Family Voice Hub Team are delighted to celebrate Carers Week 6-12 June 2022 and the important role our parents/siblings/carers play in our Young People’s lives.

This week we are offering Autonomie Very Important Parents access to lots of complimentary social and self-care events to give you a much-needed boost.

Events coming up this week for our Registered Families:

✔️ Tuesday 7th June – Grainne’s Sibling/Carer Holistic Therapy Programme

Here at Autonomie we recognise having a (sibling) brother or sister with a disability can sometimes make you feel exhausted from caring responsibilities, feel confused and overlooked.

At Family Voice Hub we are delighted to offer ‘Complementary Holistic Therapy to support Autonomie registered siblings with the aim off relaxing the body and mind

✔️Thursday 9th June at 7:30pm – Yoga and Mindfulness courtesy of Zoom

Supporting Autonomie Registered Parents raising a child or young person with additional needs and siblings, this complimentary Yoga and Mindfulness programme offers parent carers and siblings a chance to relax, restore balance and promote vitality from the comfort of your own home.

In this week’s session with teacher Orla McKeagney participants can expect:

A 40-minute Yoga session with yoga postures, breath work and relaxation techniques followed by a 20-minute Mindfulness session.

Mindfulness helps you pay more attention to the present moment, to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you.

These sessions will be delivered in an atmosphere of relaxed learning.

Yoga/Mindfulness teacher Orla McKeagney is a psychotherapist and a young people's counsellor.

With over 24 years of yoga experience, Orla currently teaches yoga classes in Namaste Yoga Centre in Belfast.

✔️ Saturday 11th June at 2pm – ‘Saturday Saunter’

With this beautiful summer weather, who needs an excuse for a walk!

Parents and Siblings join Sharon and the team for self-care Saturday at Family Voice Hub and what better to support your wellbeing goals than a walk with like-minded parents and siblings after the Freedom2Choose drop off.

Grab your gutties and join Sharon for a Saturday Saunter.

Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Route: We will be heading from Shaftbury Recreation Centre to Lilac House (a short and a long route planned out depending how we feel).

✔️Drop-In Service

The hub helps parents raising a child with additional needs a listening ear and access to the right information and especially during this period of challenge for families.

To find out more and to register your interest please email Sharon at Sharon.autonomie@gmail.com

This service is confidential and offers practical and emotional support to help you and your family thrive.

To find out more please visit the Family Voice Hub section on our website here: http://www.autonomie.org.uk/family-support-services

Freedom2Choose Summer Programme 2022

Freedom2Choose Summer programme is all about young people with additional needs having fun and having access to activities all young people should be able to access.

From social and recreational group-based activities to enjoying what the local community has to offer, Freedom2Choose Summer Programme offers these young people vital opportunities to social, feel part of a community and so much more.

The latest exciting activities programme schedule for July - Sept 2022 is now available.

Latest Freedom2Choose activity schedule available now

Freedom2Choose programme is all about young people with additional needs having fun and having access to activities all young people should be able to access.

From social and recreational group-based activities to enjoying what the local community has to offer, Freedom2Choose offers these young people vital opportunities to social, feel part of a community and so much more.

The latest exciting activities programme schedule for May - June 2022 is now available.

It’s vital young people aged 16-30 in Belfast and surrounding areas with additional needs can regularly access structured opportunities to:

• socialise with others

• tackle social isolation worsened by Covid pandemic

• develop and learn new skills

• feel part of a community