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.
Following the success of our recent Family Quiz, we are delighted to host Autonomie Lockdown Bingo on Saturday 30th of May 2020 at 7 pm on Zoom.
Families should have received Bingo sheets which were included in well-being packs.
There will be rounds tailored for all ages and abilities.
Please note.. if bingo isn’t for you, you are also more than welcome to just join in on the Zoom call for some laughs and fun!
#AutonomieLockdownBingo #AutonomieCoronavirusSupportHub
This week’s task is the ‘Great Autonomie Bake-off’!
This week we will be judging on presentation and when our centre Lilac House reopens we will host another and judge the taste on your baking creations.
If you choose to take part, (we hope you do) this is what you need to do:
Bake something e.g. cupcakes, loaf, scones or a cake.
take pictures during and after.
Submit your pictures using WhatsApp.
Share and enjoy eating your baking creation Please note In your well-being boxes (arriving soon) you will receive a baking mixture, so you can bake using it if you choose!
Young people, families, volunteers and staff are all going to be taking part in this task!
#WhatNextIndependentTaskChallenge
We are delighted to feature in local online media Belfast Live.
The article focuses on how we adapted our services using technology to deliver vital support to meet the needs of our community during this challenging time.
Thank you to all our wonderful staff, volunteers and supporters, without you our work wouldn’t be possible.
Read full article here: bit.ly/2LWwXfe
#TeamAutonomie #AutonomieCoronavirusSupportHub #AutonomieHereForYou
Young person Megan was telling Tessie and everyone during a recent check-in-and-catch-up video call that she was planning to take part in Tessie’s Spring Art Activity.
She sure did and here is the beautiful floral scene she created!
Well done Megan!
Send us your pictures, drawings, paintings, arts and crafts and we’ll share them here on our Facebook page!
#AutonomieArtAndCrafts #AutonomieCoronavirusSupportHub
Whilst at home, our young people send us daily updates on what they are up to and we post everyone’s daily adventures on our Facebook page so all their friends here at Autonomie can check-in and see what their friends are up to!
Young person Meabh is multitasking. Doing her standing, getting her vitamin D, and helping with the laundry. “Full marks from mum and dad.”
Niamh found a good way use up her last Easter Egg by making Rice Krispie buns. The best part - licking the leftovers off the spoon!
Fantastic Niamh they look delicious.
#AutonomieCoronavirusSupportHub
Congratulations to our staff member Naomi who has been utilising her time in lock down by investing in training and improving her personal development skills.
Naomi has completed 3 online courses with Open University and she aims to continue her learning whilst working from home.
Well done to Naomi for using her time very effectively.
#AutonomieStaffVolunteerTrainning
We are adapting and are working the best we can to support you (our young people and families).
We thank all parents and young people for your continued feedback and suggestions which helps us to get it right and support you as best we possibly can.
We will continue to use your feedback and suggestions to shape our modified digitised services during the Covid-19 health crisis and subsequent government social distancing guidelines.
Here is just some of the lovely feedback we have received since our services moved online since the coronavirus outbreak.
#AutonomieCoronavirusSupportHub #AutonomieVIPs #AbilityNotDisability
Tessie, Emma, Megan and Niamh also enjoyed a catch up video call on Friday 15 May 2020.
The girls talked about their plans for the weekend, how much they enjoyed the quiz and gave some ideas for activities and games they would like over the next few weeks.
Megan even suggested some football questions for next Autonomie Lockdown Quiz night!
Megan chatted about how she’s been busy cooking and cleaning and how she’s looking forward to getting out and about walking her dog.
Niamh proudly showed everyone her bracelets which she made herself! As well as baking buns, Niamh said she is continuing with her healthy food and in fact will have salad today but as it’s Friday she’ll enjoy a tasty take away treat this evening.
Niamh also suggested some questions for the quiz. Pop music questions!
A good catch up too with mums - Sharon and Sarah.
#AutonomieVideoDiaryUpdates #AutonomieCheckInAndCatchUpVideoCalls
Young person Meabh has been displaying her art skills and has painted a beautiful brightly coloured painting for her friend’s birthday.
Meabh even choose pink coloured flowers as it’s her friend’s favourite colour.
Well done Meabh!
A beautiful painting and lovely idea.
Each Tuesday at Autonomie since we began working from home due to Covid-19 (coronavirus) - we hold our weekly meetings virtually using Zoom app.
This week (Tuesday 20th May 2020) Nicole hosted a group supervision meeting with her team (Aine, Naomi and Danni) and the overall theme was "working from home".
During the meeting staff had the opportunity to engage in critical reflection in order to raise issues, explore problems, discover new ways and provide feedback of our current way of working.
With discussions ranging from workloads, opportunities for personal development, video activities to team leader support during this trying time.
The outcome of the group supervision was very positive and all members of staff agreed that the Autonomie Coronavirus Support Hub was achieving its goals in terms of quality and range of services being offered to young people with additional needs who are experiencing social isolation which can have profound effects on well-being.
Nicole Hammond Youth Project Officer plans to hold regular group supervision meetings, she says: ‘My plan is to host regular group supervisions. I believe that by doing so, it will help forge stronger working relationships across the team.
“As well as structured opportunities to support each member of staff - to discuss skills development and opportunities which promotes self-confidence, it will also provide an opportunity to reflect and link knowledge and practice to create better outcomes for our service users.’
#AutonomieGroupSupervisionMeetings
