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.
Tuesday 7 July 2020
It was games time at Autonomie this afternoon, with members enjoying an hour of online group-based gaming fun. Naomi who led today’s afternoon activities session explains more:
“On this afternoon’s call today we played a few games Charades, X’s O’s, Hangman and Higher or Lower.
“Everyone had fun and wants to play these games again!
“Everyone said they loved receiving their activities boxes from The Team Leaders.”
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This morning (Tuesday 7 July 2020) What Next programme Zoom Coffee Morning participants enjoyed a virtual tour around NI.
Host Danni explains what the session entailed:
“Our first stop was the Giants Causeway where we learnt about the legend of Irish Giant Finn MacCool and the Scottish Giant Bennan Donner.
“Next we went to the old rope bridge and then to Portrush where we stopped at The Royal Portrush Golf course where we hoped to see golfing legends such as Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Greame McDowell.
“We then stopped in at Barry's amusements where the young people decided to go on the dodgems and the ghost train, one young person said he would like to go on cyclone before we decided to have some lunch, the young people decided fish and chips and ice cream were in order.
“We also made a quick stop along another part of the Antrim coastline this time between Larne and Carnlough to where I went to school Garron Tower College.”
#AutonomieZoomCoffeeBreak
Here is what’s on at Autonomie this week 5-10 July 2020.
Starting tomorrow morning (Tuesday 5 July) with a virtual tour of NI at 10.00 am as part of our popular Coffee Morning Zoom session.
Coffee Morning and Social will run Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July this week (10.00 - 11.00 am.)
*Due to our virtual AGM taking place on Friday 10 July, there will be no coffee morning on Friday this week.
See schedule below for afternoon activities sessions taking place from 5-10 July
Huge thanks to Autonomie supporter CommunityFundNI for funding tablets, accessories and Zoom membership to help enable our members can access our digital services safely at this time.
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Some parental feedback we received following Wee Critters interactive animal education show which we hosted on Saturday 4th July as part of our Freedom2Choose Programme.
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With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, we hope parenting and family-life is becoming less challenging.
If it isn’t and you are struggling, reach out - it’s important to talk to someone whether a family member, friend or professional.
You can access our free-of-charge confidential telephone counselling support.
Our partner, Helen Morrison is a Professionally Accredited BACP Registered counsellor.
Helen supports our young people, parents and siblings by providing them with access to free professional and confidential counselling by telephone.
All our families should have received details, if you have not and would like access to this service, please ask a member of our professional team in confidence.
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On Friday 3 of July, the afternoon interactive webinar session was Arts and Craft hosted by Nicole.
Nicole explains what everyone got up to:
“During this session we made 4th July themed hats to wear tomorrow during our 4th July themed party with our friends from Wee Critters.
“We also made animal sock puppets in preparation for tomorrow’s Wee Critters animal show. We hope to show them off. “I finished the session of by demonstrating how to make dog toys. Great fun was had by all.”
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Autonomie celebrated 4th of July Independence Day by joining Allan and his Wee Critters - Scampi the Skunk, Severus Snake, Dobby the Owl, Tiggy the Hedgehog. Great fun, great information and another super session.
All enjoyed the new animals.
Thanks Allan at Wee Critters NI for an entertaining and informative session!
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This morning (Thursday 2 July 2020) we had our first virtual Young People’s Voice Youth Forum as regulations are still in place and out centre Lilac House remains closed.
Our programmes have always been led by young people - young people are at the heart of everything we do!
Naomi our Young People’s Voice Forum facilitator led our first ever virtual session today at 10.00 am.
The forum, a platform for young people to share their ideas, give feedback on what works and what doesn’t and a chance to listen to others when contributing.
It’s a great way for our young people to collaborate, make change and empower themselves.
Naomi has this overview from today’s session: “Everyone came up with great ideas that we will hopefully be able to do in our future sessions.
“Great work everyone!”
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Since March, one of the most popular activities young people at Autonomie like to do at home is baking.
From making sponge cakes, bread, buns, scones and even German Biscuits.
This week, we are are so impressed that once again lots of members are baking - this time yummy Brownies.
Young person Megan following Áine’s instructions during the live Zoom baking session.
Nicole was also in for treat when Áine popped around to her house yesterday with one of her home-made Brownies! Well done everyone! Amazing effort and results all round.
We also would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Autonomie VIPs. We know it’s a difficult time for you and you have been so committed to helping your child and helping them access our digital services - source baking and cooking supplies and help with the kitchen clean ups after!
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Learning about the world around us is so important and right now when we can’t explore the world around us we can still learn so much online as we’ll as by reading books.
There are so many people in the world, all of us different and unique, so on Wednesday 1st of July 2020 we explored Canada for Canada Day - the country’s National Day.
Do you know Canada is famous for producing some of the most delicious maple syrup in the world, produced by sap from its huge Maple trees.
Lots of us like maple syrup in our porridge. This morning we celebrated Canada Day during our Zoom webinar Coffee Break and Social session and Nicole explains what the session entailed:
“During this session young people and staff members came together to celebrate Canada Day.
“We celebrated Canada Day by travelling to Canada virtually. On our trip to Canada we visited the Niagra Falls.
“Two young people have visited Niagra Falls previously. The two young people worked together to present facts of Niagra Falls and took it in turn to show their souvenirs from their trip.
“We took part a challenge where young people got to compete against each other to see who could spy the most items in the picture.
“Young people worked independently to count the items which were on their list and showed enthusiasm when doing so.
“We watched a video on Canadian culture to increase our knowledge and understanding of why a Maple Leaf appears in the country’s national flag.
“We finished our session by drawing our own Canadian Flags to share with everyone on social media to share awareness and celebrate this national day for Canada.”
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