10 Carrot Bowling session proves a winning strike for young people

Another busy but fun week of interactive learning and social time for our members. So what did participants get up to on Friday 4 September 2020?

Danni who led today’s sessions along with Áine explains:

“This afternoon Aine and I had 4 young people join us on Zoom for a games session of 10 carrot bowling.

“2 young people had the carrots pre-prepared before the Zoom session and 2 young people prepared the carrots (turning them into pins) while on the Zoom call.

“We had 8 rounds with each young person and myself taking the customary 2 shots with the 'bowling balls'.

“I would like to congratulate Aisling on her over all win of 10 carrot bowling and say well done to the others it was a close race!”

Have a great weekend all!

#AutonomieLive #WhatNextProg

Zoom sessions back with catch-up and arts and crafts activities sessions

Tuesday 1st September 2020

Our Zoom sessions started back on Tuesday after the weekend holiday break and as well as a morning Coffee Break and Social catch-up, at this afternoon’s session young people made Binoculars for spotting wild life in the garden!

The group chatted about all different animals we can find in our garden and Malcolm showed everyone a picture of a fox he spotted in his garden recently!

Pictured: Fox spotted in Malcolm’s garden!

Before the session ended everyone enjoyed a relaxing with another chapter of Horrid Henry we have been recently reading, good work everyone!

#AutonomieLive

Another busy but fun day at Autonomie with 2 Zoom activity sessions

Good morning everyone, our team have two fab Zoom sessions in store for our lucky members today.

First up, this morning starting at 10.00 am is Coffee Morning ‘A Wake Up Call’ with Lynne.

Resources needed - A drink of Choice!

This afternoon's session 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm will be baking with Naomi and Lynne.

Resources your young person will need:

• Marshmallows

• Chocolate/Cream Cheese

• Edible Eyes (if possible)

Another busy but fun day with Autonomie.

#AutonomieLive #AutonomieZoomCoffeeBreak #IndependentLivingSkills

Welcome back to our Zoom sessions

Good Morning everyone and welcome back to our fun Zoom Sessions.

With lots on, there’s fun for everyone.

It’s a new month and we’ve a exciting schedule for hours of entertainment, learning and fun.

So join in to catch up with friends and take part in a variety of fun activities.

Today's activities are as follows:

Coffee Morning @ 10.00am Theme: Indoor Picnic with Naomi & Sarah!

Resources needed are: Snacks

This afternoon’s session is Arts & Crafts with Sarah & Naomi.

Resources your young person will need:

Toilet roll centre String Paint/felt tips/coloured pencils Glue Looks like a good fun day.

#AutonomieLive #AutonomieCoronavirusSupportHub #WhatNextProg

Latest What Next? Programme Activities Schedule: 1-11 September 2020

Members check out our latest exciting activities programme schedule which runs Tuesday 1 September to Friday 11 September 2020.

We know many of our young people will have changes to their daily routines with schools, colleges and day centres reopening and we understand how important it is for vulnerable young people especially to have routines.

Coffee Break and Social - a chance to catch up with friends and peers at Autonomie via video link!

That’s why we are committed to delivering virtual group-based activities sessions for our members at this time of change and transition.

It’s vital young people aged 16-25 in Belfast and surrounding areas with additional needs can regularly access structured opportunities:

• to socialise with others

• develop and learn new skills

• feel part of a community

Our What Next? activities programme in partnership with Community Fund NI runs Tuesday to Friday each week and continues to be delivered virtually at this time.

Face-to-face activities at Lilac House will resume when assessed safe to do so.

For queries please contact Lynne Morrison Chief Officer by email at autonomieorg@gmail.com

#WhatNextProg #WhatsOnAtAutonomie #AutonomieLive #AutonomieCoronavirusSupportHub #AbilityNotAbility

Naomi completed courses aimed at tackling issues exacerbated by Covid-19 pandemic

We have been shining a spotlight on our team and how our staff and volunteers work from home to not only deliver vital services but how they continue to invest in their personal and professional development - helping us as an organisation meet the needs of our service users.

Naomi has most recently completed a 2 online courses with University of Reading through online provider Future Learn.

Naomi has been awarded:

• Certificate for helping young people manage low mood and depression.
  

• Certificate for Psychological First Aid.

Congratulations Naomi on these fantastic achievements and thank you for your continued dedication, helping Autonomie deliver high-quality services.

#TeamAutonomie #AutonomieTrainingDevelopmentCPD

Young people enjoy staycation themed Zoom games session with memory games, spot the difference and more!

Wednesday 19 August 2020

Another great ‘Summer Holidays’ themed Zoom session this afternoon and Nicole explains what everyone got up to:

“This afternoon’s Zoom session continued our theme of ‘Summer Holidays’ but this time we focused on ‘Staycations’ for example, camping.

“Our young people played memory games as Nicole presented them with trays of holiday themed props and they had 10 seconds to memorise everything that was there.

“Items included sunscreen, a flask, a toothbrush, flip flops etc.

“The young people were very good at remembering the items but were also very kind and helpful, aiding each other with clues.

“We played a short game of camping spot the difference but this was very tricky and Danni and I struggled a lot.

“We then played one of my favourites - scattergories, and everyone tried really hard to think of clever and unique answers.

Our tied winners today were Megan, JJ and Gary 🏆 (with an extra special shoutout to Gary as his answers were amazing and shocked us all every time. Gary was also very kind throughout as he donated answers to others who were stuck when he had thought of more than one himself. Well done Gary!).

“We finished up our session with a quick game of summer holiday themed Pictionary and everyone did brilliantly.

“This was a very small group today but everyone’s spirits were high and there was lots of chat and laughter throughout.”

Press release: Autonomie Chief Officer Lynne Morrison praises team for their hard work preparing host of virtual activities for young people with additional needs in Belfast and surrounding areas

Press Release - In the media

Monday 17th August 2020

Autonomie boss Lynne Morrison has praised her team for their hard work in preparing a whole host of virtual activities for disabled youngsters.

Youth Project Officer Nicole Hammond leading design your own tote bag activity session at the recent virtual summer scheme.

Youth disability charity Autonomie (usually runs an annual summer programme for more than 30 participants).

This year the scheme - which usually takes place at its Belfast-based centre Lilac House (Linked Independent Living and Advice Centre) and venues in the community - was held online.

Chief Officer Lynne Morrison said: "This year we were unable provide venue-based support to our young people so we decided to switch to the virtual programme.  

“We have been delivering digital activity sessions to young people since March 2020 when Covid-19 restrictions began.

“Each year we usually run a summer programme and this year we couldn’t so we decided to create a virtual summer scheme which ran from Tuesday (August 11) until August 14.

"We wanted to give youngsters a boost so we made packs to use with the Zoom activity sessions. 

"It's usually a highlight for the young people and this year even though delivered virtually - it didn’t disappoint. 

“There was a virtual picnic with story time, quiz, make your own pizza cookery session and a party with games on the final day.

“The Wee Critters Animal Education Show - was back by popular demand and participants got to enjoy sensory activities including using Jumping Clay to make a seaside crab.

"The team has worked so hard on this and I can't praise them enough."

Families have had good things to say about the scheme, one parent said: "My son thoroughly enjoyed the week of activities. I can’t thank everyone at Autonomie enough for all they have done. A great initiative. Thank you.”

Autonomie continues to deliver its Coffee Morning via Zoom which offers young people the opportunity to check-in-and-catch-up with their peers and friends at Autonomie. 

The charity also offers a life-skills interactive afternoon session with members taking part in virtual activities such as cookery and baking, arts and crafts, exercise and well-being sessions. 

Lynne added: “Technology has enabled us to continue to support disabled 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 was vital that our services continued during this period of Covid-19 lockdown in order to give these young people a sense of normality and familiarity. 

“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. 

Chief Officer Lynne Morrison with Team Leaders Emma and Tessie preparing distribution of Lenovo Tablets and accessories for members to loan to participate in virtual activity sessions.

“We have created a varied schedule of fun activities to support, engage and further develop independent life-skills learning. 

“I’m so proud at how well our team led by Nicole have 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.”

The summer programme including Lenovo tablets and accessories to access digital activities was funded by Community Fund NI and the activity packs by Halifax Foundation NI. 

Quiz time fun at Autonomie virtual summer scheme

On the afternoon of Wednesday 12 August it was QUIZ TIME at the summer scheme!

Nicole who led the session explains how the quiz worked:

“During this session young people took part in a quiz and welcomed Autonomie’s newest volunteer Hussain to the group.

“The quiz was made up of a number of rounds including, true or false, music, pictures and guess the staff member.

“All young people engaged and participated throughout the quiz and all showed great enthusiasm when taking part in the quiz.”

The winners, were:

• Stephanie in 3rd place

  Meabh in 2nd place and

  Megan in 1st place Woohoo!

Great work everyone!

#AutonomieVirtualSS2020

summer scheme Participants take part in virtual Picnic with friends

Young person Meabh’s furry pals join in our virtual picnic.

This year due to COVID-19 pandemic, we held our first ever virtual summer scheme.

Young person Stephanie has tv presenter virtual Ben Shephard joining in.

Day 3 saw young people log on for a virtual picnic with staff at Autonomie and friends!

Nicole explains what everyone got up to at the virtual summer scheme event:

“Everyone made their own lunch and Sarah read Horrid Henry while we ate!”

“After lunch we played a game of I went on a Picnic and I brought.

“We brought along our friends to the picnic and some Celebrities joined us Great fun was had by all.

#AutonomieVirtualSS2020