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.
Autonomie are delighted to host the latest quality time for all Family Movie Quiz on Friday 5th February 2021 at 7.00pm.
A reminder, can all those who are going to join us please let Lynne have your family team names before 12 noon today.
Team dress up as favourite movie is optional but let's face it - it would be fun!
Family Voice Hub information event ‘The Benefits of Direct Payments’ information event takes place this evening (3rd Feb) at 7.30 pm courtesy of Zoom.
Hosted by Sharon Quinn Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator, parents and carers can attend and hear first hand about …..
‘The Benefits and Flexibility of Direct Payments’
The areas the meeting will cover are
1. A short introduction to DP’s (old and new)!
2. Benefits and Flexibility of DP’s!
3. Services the Centre Of Independent Living NI (CILNI) offer - Advice Lines, Payroll, Recruitment etc.
4. Q&A Session
The event is suitable for families currently in receipt of Direct Payments.
For queries and to secure your place, please see the flyer below for contact details.
Please be aware that spaces are limited and on a first come first served basis.
Calling all Autonomie young people!
Next week starting Monday 1st of February we are inviting young people to take part in our Feel Good February Challenge!
This challenge will support young people’s mental wellbeing and personal development.
We know it’s an anxious-ridden and unsettling time for everyone, especially for all our young people with additional needs.
Nicole Hammond our Youth Project Officer has this important message for our young people:
“During this time I would like to remind you to be happy. Not because everything is okay but because you can see the good side of everything.
“Each day throughout February we will share a Feel Good challenge right here on our Facebook page and I would ask parents to encourage their child to get involved.
“It’s a group challenge, with everyone taking part at home and the aim is to lift spirts by providing daily reminders of gratitude and small actions each young person can take to boost their mood and feel good.”
The 28 day Feel Good February Challenge starts next Monday morning 1st February 2021.
For information about dealing with coronavirus and how to look after the mental health of young people, please visit the Young Minds website: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/coronavirus-and-mental-health/
Calling all Autonomie Very Important Parents!
Family Voice Hub are excited to launch Mindfulness Month starting Monday 1st of February 2021.
The world may be in a state of disarray right now but your inner wellbeing doesn’t have to be. Becoming more aware of the present moment offers all kinds of instant benefits - a feeling of contentment, a sense of serenity and even acceptance.
Self-care is sacred and especially important for parents raising a child or young adult with additional needs right now. Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator Sharon invites parents to take part in our Mindfulness Month daily challenge.
Each morning at 9.00 am we will share a daily challenge right here on our Facebook page. So go on, take up the challenge for 28 days and we promise you’ll be glad you did.
Learn more about Mindfulness and its benefits by visiting the NHS website here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness/
Saturday 23 January 2021
Today’s Freedom2Choose Zoom call was hosted by Bethany and supported by Tessie, Nicole and Emma C.
We had a new member join us today called Hannah. We started off the session by introducing ourselves and telling Hannah some things about our hobbies and interests. Everyone had their turn talking.
We then went on to start the session by learning some new Makaton signs and recapping some old ones.
Bethany then lead a game with the young people were you picked a friend and done a sign and they had to guess what it was.
Finally we finished our session with Makaton bingo.
Everyone enjoyed the session.
This week (week commencing 18 January 2021) at What Next? was all things Australia and members got a chance to explore this vast continent with a virtual tour, cooked some Australian sweet treats, took part in a quiz and lots more.
On Thursday 21 January some young people joined Nicole and Danni for an Australian inspired cookery session making Australian Fairy Bread.
Nicole explains what the activity session entailed:
“During this session young people took part in a mental wellbeing check-in during this young people socialised with one another by sharing what activities they have been up to over the past few days.
“Following this Nicole shared facts about Fairy Bread and outlined what we were making.
“Young people followed along with Nicole as she made Fairy Bread with each taste testing their creations and they provided a justification of what it tasted like and if they liked it.
“Young people practiced Makaton sign of the week which is ‘drink’ and worked together as a team to provide Nicole with steps on how to make a cup of tea.”
Áine hosted the Funky Friday Quiz and explains what everyone got up to:
“The quiz was a chance to recap all the fun facts we learnt during the week. Our young people had listened extremely well and all got the answers very quickly! Four of our young people scored full marks.
“We even learnt some new facts afterwards by asking each other questions and googling answers we weren’t sure of. Well done everyone and enjoy the weekend!”
What’s Next? Programme is proudly supported by the National Lottery Community Fund NI Empowering Young People.
On Wednesday 20 January 2021 some families joined Sharon Quinn our Family Voice Hub Co-ordinator for Introduction to Direct Payment work hosted by Chris Meneilly from CILNI.
Chris provided us with a wealth of information including an introductory to DP, what is DP, how our young people and indeed their family can benefit from DP, what you can use Direct Payments for and services offered by the CILNI. There was also a Q&A session and great feedback following the event.
Thanks to all those who took part and to Chris Meneilly of CILNI for hosting the online session.
Thanks also to Family Voice Hub funder the National Lottery Community Fund NI People and Communities.
We are enhancing our What Next? Programme, by offering young people with additional needs access to one-to-one check-in calls to support their wellbeing at this particular challenging phase of the pandemic.
Parents, if your young person would like to sign up please see flyer for contact details.
***Autonomie is committed to empowering young people with additional needs to develop the skills to live only and achieve their potential.***
Family Voice Hub are delighted to host this information event next week. Hosted in partnership with Centre for Independent Living NI (CILNI), parents and carers can attend and hear first hand about Direct Payments with ‘Introduction to Direct Payments’ on Wednesday evening 7.30 pm courtesy of Zoom.
The event is presented by Chris Meneilly, CILNI and is suitable for families not in receipt of Direct Payments.
Early booking is recommended as places are limited and will fill up fast.
For queries and to reserve your place please see flyer for contact details.
For more information about Centre for Direct Payments please visit https://www.cilni.org/
#AutonomieFamilyVoiceHub
*BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND*
Task of the week will commence this week 11 January 2021.
Is your young person bored in lockdown?
No problem, it is time for them to help out around the house.
Young people have been set a task to complete each week from now until March 2021.
If the task set does not suit your young persons needs please adapt or change the task set to suit your young person.
*Remember* when completing the task be sure to send us images and let us know that you have completed them.
Staff will remind young people of these tasks during Zoom sessions.
Alongside this, young people will be offered the opportunity to watch, learn and practice Makaton during Zoom sessions.
Each week there will be a new sign which young people will practice signing each day. These are in connection with task of the week.
If your young person does not enjoy signing or want to sign please do not let this stop them from joining us on Zoom as they can choose to spectate.
We hope everyone enjoys the tasks set.
Weekly tasks and Makaton signs
