We’re seeking Volunteers for Freedom2Choose Activity Programme.
Volunteers required to provide one-to-one support to young people with additional needs to participate fully in our Freedom2Choose Activity Programme every Saturday from 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm.
The annual Freedom2Choose Christmas shopping trip took place on Saturday 30 November with a visit to Abbey Centre, Belfast from 10.30 am.
Young people got everything on their shopping list and finished with a tasty lunch.
Day 2 of Autonomie Summer Activity Week 2019 took place on Tuesday 6 August, with a host of fun, practical learning activities. Find out more.
On Saturday 19 January Freedom2Choose programme young people all ‘Made our Mark’ on canvas; the name for this art work was voted on by the young people who named it - ‘Hands Together’ which is now proudly displayed at Lilac House!
Are you an Amazon shopper? Did you know that when you shop using AmazonSmile, a percentage of everything you spend online - will be donated to us without costing you a penny? Find out how you can support us today.
We’re here for you if it isn’t.
If you or your family member is struggling at this time please use our free and confidential telephone counselling service.
Parents should already have access to our partner’s (BACP registered counsellor Helen Morrison) telephone number, but if you need it please email autonomieorg@gmail.com or contact a member of our team by private sms text or app message or by email in confidence.
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Hello everyone, it’s week 6 of new routines and our young people who choose to take part in this week’s task are gearing up to make a healthy meal and will send us a photograph of their finished dish!
A salad sandwich counts too!
There is even a prize for the young person who completes the most weekly tasks by the end of coronavirus lockdown at home.
At Autonomie, young people have enjoyed practical workshops on healthy eating and have learnt why it’s important to ‘Eat The Rainbow’ because eating lots of different colour fruits and vegetables will get you the vitamins and minerals you need to keep healthy.
#WhatNextIndependentTaskChallenge
Huge congratulations to Autonomie Team Members Danni and Nicole who have both completed an impressive number of Open University distance learning courses as part of their commitment to continuous professional development.
Well done to both on their fantastic commitment and achievements whilst working from home at this time.
It’s so important Autonomie continues to deliver practical support that meets the needs of young people with additional needs and their families and it’s especially crucial right now during the coronavirus crisis.
We regularly consult with parents and carers and importantly with young people themselves to gain insight and feedback on our services and last week we invited families to take part in our latest feedback survey.
By utilising technology we have been able to modify our services and continue to support our community and your feedback helps us to adapt our services to support you best at this time of uncertainty.
Thank you to all parents and family members for taking the time to give your feedback.
Although our centre Lilac House (Linked Independent Living and Advice Centre) is closed at the moment, technology has enabled us to continue to deliver modified services and support to our community at home at this time of huge uncertainty when they need support most.
We continue to deliver a weekly schedule of activities to vulnerable young people with additional needs in the community, providing them with continued social interactions to combat social isolation and promote good mental health.
Niamh took part in the ‘Making Beans on Toast’ Week 1 of What Next? Independent Skills Task Challenge.
At Autonomie, our ethos is ability not disability and our modified activities programmes continue to focus on empowering young people through a range of practical and fun activities - helping these young people to continue to build on life skills and independent living skills they have taken part in at our centre Lilac Centre.
Lynne Morrison Chief Officer at Autonomie said: “Technology has enabled us to continue to support our young people at this time when they need support most.
“These vulnerable young people are at home and it’s a very difficult time for them as access to social activities and friends has stopped. It is vital that our services continue during this period of coronavirus lockdown in order to give these young people a sense of normality and familiarity.
Gary cleaning door handles at his home as part of the weekly challenge.
“Technology has allowed our team to deliver A range of activities such as check-in-and-catch-up video calls and group video calls which helps reduce the feeling of isolation in these young people.
“We have created a varied schedule of fun activities to support, engage and further develop independent life-skills learning.
Autonomie Team Leaders delivered Easter Eggs to young people whilst adhering to government social distance measures.
“I’m so proud at how well our team has risen to the challenge, modifying activities programmes and delivering them effectively using technology.
“The feedback from parents and young people has been fantastic and our work is making a real difference to the lives of young people with additional needs in Belfast and surrounding areas when they need support most.”
WEEKLY SCHEDULES
Our team members hosted 2 check-in-and-catch-up video calls with young people in our community on Monday 20 April 2020.
First up team members Tessie and Emma caught up with Gary and Jordan. The guys talked about what they have been doing to keep themselves busy. Gary has been going on walks with his dad and playing his video games. Jordan has been cooking and helping to paint his house. Gary is looking forward to seeing his auntie when lockdown is lifted and Jordan can’t wait to go on the new Stenaline boat.
Team members Naomi and Sarah also hosted a further check-in-and-catch-up video call with Malcom and Owen.
Both Malcolm and Owen have been out riding their bikes and talked about going for a bike ride together when this is all over.
Malcolm helps to take his elderly neighbour’s dog out for a walk and Owen has been helping plant flowers in the garden. They both talked about missing college and can’t wait to get back! Parents and young people have also been expressing their thanks for the support being provided by all at Autonomie.
Thank you to all in our community helping us deliver practical support to our young people and their families at this time when they need practical support most.
A big thank you and recognition on Volunteer Appreciation Day (which took place on 20 April 2020) to our incredible What Next?, Freedom2Choose and Be A Champion programmes volunteers.
We thank them for dedicating their time and experience to contribute to the success of Autonomie, helping us deliver vital practical support to help empower young people with additional needs and their families. We couldn’t do it without you!
On Tuesday 14th of April 2020, Autonomie Team Leaders held their weekly meeting using Zoom.
Lots of exciting plans discussed at the video meeting as well as discussions on activities for the week ahead at Autonomie.
With everyone at home due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, young people who take part in our programmes share regular updates and photographs of their daily routines to keep in contact with and find out what their friends at Autonomie are up to.
Lynne Morrison, Chief Officer at Autonomie said: “As well at many of our young people taking part in our weekly independent skills task challenge, were young people complete a task at home and a prize presented to the young person who completes the most tasks during this period of lockdown, young people are sharing photographs with Autonomie which we share on our Facebook page.
“It’s great to see not only the young people adjust so well to being at home but there is a real sense of Autonomie community spirit even though our centre it not open at present.
“Young people are active on social media and regularly check our Facebook page to see updates and photographs from their friends. Social media in particular is extremely useful at this time and Autonomie’s Facebook page is now even more of a vital community hub.
”I am so proud and impressed by how well our vulnerable young people are coping in these extraordinary circumstances. They are using independent living skills they have further developed by participating in programmes at our centre Lilac House and carrying out daily tasks to support their wellbeing, development as well as providing support to their families.
“From baking, cooking and exercising, to hanging out the washing, gardening and even painting our young people are showing real leadership and commitment.
“All of us at Autonomie are impressed by each and every one of our young people and we would also like to thank their families for supporting the initiative.”
Autonomie Team Leaders have been busy delivering Easter Eggs to lots of our young people at their homes In time for Easter and following Covid-19 safety guidelines.
Everyone who choose to receive an Easter Egg sent us a photograph including even Tigg!
Lynne was even treated to a coffee and seat at Megan’s driveway.
