Young people bake treats to support people who face homelessness

Today (Tuesday 8 December 2020) to mark Homelessness Awareness Day 2020 a group of What Next? Programme members got together at Lilac House (Linked Independent Living and Advice Centre) to whip up some tasty treats to donate to the community organisation Hope Harbour Belfast.

Nicole Hammond, Youth Project Officer who led the initiative explains more:

“These treats will be donated to Hope Harbour Belfast who will dispatch these around Belfast tonight.

“Young people also created some lovely cards to help spread some love this Christmas.

“I am so incredibly proud of the each young person and their enthusiasm by wanting to do something practical to support those in the community who find themselves affected by homelessness.

“It’s an issue close to all their hearts and a wonderful kind gesture. Well done everyone.”

Be a Champion! Be a Volunteer 'Buddy' for Young People with Additional Needs

Autonomie are currently seeking to recruit Volunteer 'Buddies' for Young People with Additional Needs

Can you help empower young people with additional needs to develop the skills to live independently and achieve their potential?

Be A Champion - Be a ‘buddy’!

You’ll be supporting young people aged 16-30 who have additional needs and who are or at risk of becoming socially isolated having left full-time education and not suitable for mainstream further education or training.  

As a ‘buddy’, you and your designated young person can organise catch-ups such as walks, shopping trips, or a coffee and a chat.

Occasionally, you’ll ‘buddy’ or sit with the young person in the evening for a couple of hours in their family home which will give parents and carers a well-deserved breaking from the demands of their caring roles.

Being a ‘buddy’ you would provide structured opportunities to enable the young person to do what all young people should be doing - having fun in the community!

The young people have a variety of complex needs and require various levels of support to participate in most activities.

This volunteer opportunity will require an Enhanced Access NI Check to be carried out due to working with Adults at Risk. 

Tasks, attributes and responsibilities:

• Experience with working with young people with additional needs

• Flexibility

• Good communication skills

• Patient, sensitive and caring

• Disability aware

Skills acquired:

• Adaptability

• Communication skills

• Decision making

• Interpersonal skills

• Learning difficulty aide

• Mental health

• Mentoring

• Problem solving

• Self awareness

• Time management

• Youth services experience

To apply for this exciting role, please email sharon.autonomie@gmail.com

Please include your name, contact telephone number and email address and a member of the team will be in touch.

Family Voice Hub digital information leaflet now available

Autonomie knows that parenting a child or young person with additional needs is tough at the minute. We want parents to know that support is available to them and talking to someone can be a great emotional support.

To find out more about the new Family Voice Hub project and practical and emotional support you and your family can access, please take a look at the new Family Voice Hub digital information leaflet.

Further information is also available at the Autonomie Family Voice Hub section on our website: https://bit.ly/3dS3Wyj

Dads Night In… Take Two! The Great Big Fat Autonomie Quiz Friday 4th December 2020

Dads Night In…. TAKE TWO

After last week’s technical blip, we have a New Date for your diary this Friday 4th December 8.00 pm for The Great Big Fat Autonomie Quiz courtesy of Zoom.

Following on from the recent Mums Night In, it’s now the turn of the Dads. Wine, coke, prosecco and lots of chat will make way for beer, tea and quizzing as the Dads get together to test their general knowledge.

We know they are a shy bunch, so the ladies and of course siblings of our young people are welcome to come along and add their support and brainpower to the evening.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Virtual Management Committee Meeting Wednesday 2 December 2020

Autonomie is hosting a Virtual Management Review Committee meeting on Wednesday 2 December 2020.

We look forward to welcoming everyone and would like to take this opportunity to thank Autonomie Chair and Trustees for their continued support and dedication at this time.

Autonomie’s success is thanks to the contribution, vast skills and wealth of experience of all involved helping to successfully steer the organisation at a time of challenge.

We have enhanced our services with dedicated support for families through Family Voice Hub project.

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

Support us for free this Black Friday with EasyFundraising

Planning to shop Black Friday deals online?

You can support us for free!

In order to maintain our fundraising efforts as best we can during this difficult time, we would like to remind you that Autonomie is registered with easyfundraising and you can raise FREE donations for us with all your online shopping when you sign up to support us.

With more people shopping online than ever before, it really is an easy way to help Autonomie continue to raise funds.

Thank you!

Sign up today: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/autonomie

Mums Night In event hailed as the perfect tonic!

Mum's Night was a great success, everyone enjoyed good conversation, many laughs and a wee drink.

A lovely evening with everyone joining in talking about this 'different' world, Christmas trees & shopping and providing everyone with an opportunity to have a natter and smile.

This is to become a monthly event courtesy of our Family Voice Hub service.

Thanks to all you fantastic mums (Autonomie VIPs) for coming along and a shoutout to our wonderful hosts Lynne and Sharon.

Dads Night In The Big Fat Autonomie Quiz

Family Voice Hub are delighted to announce Dads Night In - The Big Fat Autonomie Quiz’ courtesy of Zoom, this Friday 27th November 2010 at 8.00 pm

Following on from the success of last week’s Mums Night In, wine, Coca-Cola, prosecco and lots of chat will now make way for beer, tea and quizzing as the Dads get together to test their general knowledge.

We know they are a shy bunch, so the ladies are welcome to come along too and add their support and brainpower to the evening.

More info to follow and we hope to see you all there.

Autonomie VIP dad an accountant offers some Personal Finance tips for parents

It’s a tough time for everyone right now and it’s really important our families can get access to the right advice and that also includes access to personal finance advice from trusted sources.

so, an Autonomie VIP dad (an accountant) has these top personal finance tips for parents.

Fine motor skills task proves a tasty treat at latest Zoom interactive activity session

Tasty treats that could be all gone by teatime!

On Tuesday 17 November 2020 at What Next? a group of young people logged on to Zoom for a fun, sensory and fine motor skills activity session - decorating biscuits with their favourite toppings.

Led by hosts Nicole and Michael, young people got to work by decorating their favourite plain biscuits and topping them with delicious sweet treats such as chocolate, mallows, sprinkles and Smarties.

A fun, messy and finger licking session. Let’s hope all you fantastic bakers and biscuit decorators helped with the kitchen clear up after.