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.
Our monthly Family Quiz Night got spooky this time, everyone joined in with dressing up for Halloween.
We had witches, pumpkins, monsters and more. Team Sparkly Niamh won the quiz while Stephanie won the quiz Raffle of some delicious Halloween pop cakes.
Another great night of fun!
Our team are super excited to have families join us for the Halloween Family Quiz this Friday evening via Zoom at 7.00 pm.
Fancy dress is encouraged. So join in for a spook-tackular night of fun and fright. Further details will be announced at Parents Group Chat WhatsApp.
Hope to see you all there!
Calling All Mums!
Date for your diary - Friday 6th November 2020 at 8.00 pm ‘Autonomie Mums Night In’ courtesy of Zoom and hosted by Family Voice Hub Co-ordinator, Sharon Quinn.
Grab a glass of wine, cocktail, cup of tea or anything you fancy and join us for an evening of gossip, giggles and chat about this weird old world we are currently living in.
More info to follow hope to see you all there.
This Parenting Week we are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership to deliver a project which focuses on families raising a child or young person with additional needs.
Family Voice Hub in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund NI, will offer parents and siblings practical and emotional support. Support is available right now and can be accessed virtually by Zoom video, Telephone and Email.
This project will fully adhere to the most up to date government guidelines regarding COVID-19 and will also offer a drop-in and local outreach service for parents and siblings when safe to do. Recent months have been tough for everyone and this is especially true for families with a child or young person with additional needs. However, help is available.
The service is directly available to parents and siblings. Family Voice Hub delivers free impartial, confidential, and accurate information, emotional support, advice and support services.
We are proud to deliver this vital service. If you or your family need support, advice and signposting please get in touch with our Family Voice Hub Co-ordinator Sharon Quinn for free and confidential help. Email Sharon at sharon.autonomie@gmail.com
For further information about this new service including information on all support available for you and your family, please visit Family Voice Hub section on our website: http://bit.ly/FamilyVoiceHub
As you are aware we have reviewed our Zoom session timetable and changes have been made to the timetable, in light of latest Covid-19 regulations.
We hope that these changes are helpful and accommodatable for young people.
We have aimed to make these activities sessions fun and uplifting for young people during this time and we will continue to support young people and their families throughout this uncertain and difficult time.
In addition and as a direct response to the current situation, we are providing any extra support young people may need.
If any parents or siblings need any extra support or even a little chat during this time please contact our dedicated and professional team.
The revised timetable with programmes delivered fully online for the next 3 week period, (Tuesday 20 October to Friday 6 November inclusive is available. Please be aware activities may be subject to change.
For further information and to get involved please contact Nicole Hammond Youth Project Officer by email at nicoleautonomieorg@gmail.com
Lots of fun coming up today for all you Freedom2Choose members!
Today's Zoom session is Makaton signs and Makaton bingo at starts at 1.30 pm. The session will be lead by Bethany and supported by Nicole, Danni and Emma C.
Resources needed: Makaton bingo sheets from most recent activity packs See everyone soon!
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Parents please read this latest announcement from Lynne Morrison Chief Officer at Autonomie.
In light of the recent change in Covid-19 restrictions, Zoom Calls will restart for all young people, however, unfortunately Face to Face contact has be postponed for a minimum 2 weeks.
This necessary change is in line with latest NI Direct/Govt UK guidelines which states: “The following advice will be added to the existing health guidance:
work from home unless unable to do so
universities and further education to deliver distance learning to the maximum extent possible with only essential face to face learning where that is a necessary and unavoidable part of the course. no unnecessary travel should be undertaken.”
Face to Face learning would not be deemed as 'necessary & unavoidable part of the course'.
Plans and arrangements for Zoom calls will be:
Tuesdays -10.00 am - 11.00 am
Wednesdays 21st October 10.00 am 11.00 am & 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm
Thursdays 2.00 pm - 3.00 pm
Fridays 10.00 am -11.00 am
Saturdays 1.30 pm - 2.30 pm
Details for activities will be made available on Monday 19th of October.
We understand this is a difficult time causing stress & anxiety to everyone.
At Autonomie, we deliver practical learning that’s fun and our fantastic team will continue to deliver fun and engaging activities programmes to support your child during this very challenging time. These sessions will be all about having fun and social time with their peers and friends at Autonomie.
Looking forward to joining everyone on Zoom and having good fun while doing so.
Take care, stay safe and enjoy the weekend.
Lynne Morrison
Chief Officer
Autonomie
On Saturday 10 October 2020 at Freedom2Choose Programme participants enjoyed Autumn Arts and Crafts activities, hosted by Tessie and supported by Emma, Bethany and Áine.
5 young people participated and worked alongside their mums making the Autumn leaves bowl activity.
Everyone concentrated when sticking their leaves they collected that week while out on a nature walk.
It was lovely to see the collaboration of mother and daughter/son.. a bit of a messy activity because of the gluing but they had fun doing it.
We hope to see their finished bowl when its had some time to dry. We also had a leaf rubbing art demonstration, unfortunately we ran out of time and they will just share a photo of their art when they do it at there leisure.
Great Autumn art work done today as you can see in the picture gallery!
Autonomie has decided to provide face-to-face sessions for the young people who are not attending any other education or training with other providers.
Fun group-based virtual activities for all abilities!
It’s crucial that these young people can access social, education and training activities, especially at this challenging time and Autonomie is committed to providing high-quality activities programmes to support and help vulnerable young people with additional needs achieve their goals and lead happier and more independent lives - like every young person should.
The families of these young people have already been contacted, and as we are piloting this for the month of October, no one else should attend.
Once we have reviewed these at the end of the month we will reassess the numbers etc.
With strict adherence to government health and safety guidelines and with recommended health and safety measures in place ensuring a safe environment for all.
Zoom-based coffee mornings and social time!
Autonomie also continues to deliver a full fun-packed schedule of activities digitally by Zoom video app.
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
Just some of the issues we are tackling!
Good morning everyone, looking ahead, this is what’s coming up on Saturday 10 October 2020 at Freedom2Choose with host Tessie.
The following resources are needed for AUTUMN LEAVES BOWL and AUTUMN LEAF RUBBING arts and crafts activities.
Before Saturday please collect some nice colourful autumn leaves (when it’s dry outside) as these will be the main material needed.
Please pick autumn leaf/ leaves with VISIBLE veins from your nature walk (dry flat but not crispy).
***Autumn Leaves Bowl*** Materials needed:
• Chosen same kind of autumn leaves or any type of colourful leaves from a nature walk (dry flat but not crisp)
• PVA glue + small amount of water to mix • Small bowl to use for moulding
• Small piece of cling film to cover the bowl chosen
• Any old kitchen sponge or paint brush for gluing
• Pair of scissors
• Old news papers to cover the surface you'll be working on (to throw after use)
***Autumn Leaf Rubbing*** Materials needed:
• Autumn leaf/ leaves with VISIBLE veins from nature walk ( dry flat but not crispy)
• A4 size white paper or any chosen coloured light paper
• Crayons- autumn colours (orange, red, green, yellow, brown, pink, purple) or any chosen colours you wish
• Masking or sellotape (whichever is available), very small amount needed to hold the leaf/leaves
• Old newspapers to cover the surface you'll be working on (recycle after use)
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