With remote learning to support and help young people feel less isolated during this challenging phase of the pandemic, we are delighted to announce this Freedom2Choose programme activity schedule starting Saturday 16 January and running each Saturday.
Remote practical learning activities schedule for What Next? Programme week commencing 11 January 2020
Find out what’s coming up this week (week commencing 11 January 2020) on the What Next? Programme!
Hint: Lots of FUN!
To View activities programme schedule click this link ➡️ http://bit.ly/Jan2021activityschedule
To learn more, please visit the website section here: http://bit.ly/3niAkx6
Engaged young people enjoy catch-ups with peers following festive break
On Thursday 7 January 2021 young people joined together on Zoom to engage and catch-up with one another.
Nicole explains more:
“Many took this opportunity to find out what everyone got for Christmas. Young people asked each other questions and worked together as a team to identify their distance travelled from March to now.
“We discussed what activities we previously did for fun before the pandemic and what we do for fun now. This helped young people understand that it is good to turn a negative situation into a positive outcome. We all agreed that changes have occurred and we have adapted and we will continue to do so.
“One young person stated ‘I enjoyed going to the cinema but now I watch Netflix instead’.”
Project leaders hold first planning meeting of 2021
Project Staff met via Zoom on Tuesday 5 January to plan our next 3 months of work. It was great just to hear and discuss new ideas and suggestions from young people, parents and staff about what they want us to deliver whether virtual or face-to-face.
All programmes are back and will be delivering from Wednesday 6th January 2021, with Freedom2Choose starting their Saturday programmes from 16 January 2021.
January 2021 What Next Programme activities schedule
Members check out our latest exciting activities programme schedule which runs Wednesday 6 January to Friday 29 January 2021.
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.
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 in line with current restrictions.
For queries please contact Nicole Hammond Youth Project Officer by email at nicoleautonomieorg@gmail.com
New catch-up Zoom sessions for young people starting this week (w/c 4th January 2021)
In light of the latest restrictions and to facilitate vital social and wellbeing support to our young people during this particularly challenging time, we are delighted to offer Autonomie VIPs (Very Important Young People) a chance to check-in and catch-up with their peers via structured and facilitated Zoom activity sessions this week.
This week’s online interactive Zoom activity schedule:
Wednesday 6th January 2021 - Coffee morning and social time, 10-11 am
Thursday 7th January 2021 - Coffee morning and Social time, 10-11am
Friday 8th January 2021 - Coffee morning and social time, 10-11am
We are super excited to catch-up with everyone.
For queries, please contact Nicole Hammond, Youth Project Officer by email at nicoleautonomieorg@gmail.com
A new year and new vital support for families raising a child or young person with additional needs
It’s a new year and a chance to hit the reset button and move forward with hope, but that’s not always easy especially for families juggling the demands of raising a young person with additional needs and often, these parents needs are at the bottom of the list.
We are here to support you and your family. Family Voice Hub offers lots of practical and emotional support to parents and siblings.
Our programme information leaflet is packed-full of services you and your family can access right now, free of charge.
Autonomie VIP dads take part in the inaugural Family Voice Hub Dads wellbeing and social event - The Great Big Fat Autonomie Quiz courtesy of Zoom on Friday 4 December 2020.
Available now to download at our website.
Find out how you and your family can access practical and emotional support through Autonomie’s dedicated service Family Voice Hub.
Our experienced team including Family Voice Hub’s dedicated Project Co-ordinator Sharon Quinn will help you or signpost you to ensure you get the help or solution that you need.
To DOWNLOAD Family Voice Hub information leaflet please click here.
To learn more, please visit the Autonomie website here.
Family Voice Hub is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund NI.
Special Santa Saturday festivities at Lilac House for Autonomie VIPs
On Saturday 19 December 2020, Staff and Volunteers held a Special Santa Saturday for the young people and their families at Lilac House.
The whole day was carried out in a Covid-19 safe environment, young people met Santa (at a 2m distance) while parents enjoyed a hot drink and mince pies in our Winter land Gazebo, manned by two Elves (Emma & Tessie).
'Welcome' elf ensured everyone adhered to their half hour appointments.. and ‘Temperatures elf (Nicole) operating Track and Trace systems. We even had 'Photos' elf who took photos of the young people with Santa which will be circulated to the families.
A big thank you to everyone for adhering to all Covid-19 rules and regulations. Everyone had a very happy, special half hour especially during these challenging times.
Animal Magic for Young People with Wee Critters Interactive Zoom show
A special treat for all our Freedom2Choosers is coming up on Saturday 12 December 2020 as Wee Critters and host Allan pop by with a festive greeting for all their friends here at Autonomie.
So join in for another great interactive animal Zoom session and catch-up and find out what Scampi the Skunk, Severus Snake, Dobby the Owl, Tiggy the Hedgehog have been up to!
When: Saturday 12 December at 1.30 pm on Zoom.
Autonomie Christmas Family Quiz 2020
Join us for the ‘Autonomie Christmas Family Quiz’ 2020 on Friday 11th December 2020 at 7.00 pm!
Expect a magical evening full of festive cheer, quizzing and craic for all the family courtesy of Zoom.
We hope to see you all there.
