Lynne Morrison Autonomie Chief Officer praises volunteers and staff for their efforts

Autonomie Chief Officer Lynne Morrison has this thank you message for all Autonomie volunteers and staff.

“The team have worked so hard over the past year and I can't praise them enough."

“Autonomie has delivered a varied schedule of fun activities to support, engage and further develop independent life-skills learning, helping young people with additional needs thrive through this extremely challenging time for them.

“I’m so proud of everyone. 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 and families in Belfast and surrounding areas when they need support most.”

Support Autonomie for free whilst shopping online this Easter

It is thanks to amazing supporters like you helping Autonomie empower young people with additional needs and reach their potential in Belfast and surrounding areas.

Every time you shop online, you can support Autonomie and for free. One easy way to support us is by using the online platform Easy Fundraising!

All you need to do is:

1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/autonomie/ and join for free.

2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.

3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to Autonomie at no extra cost to you whatsoever!

There are no catches or hidden charges and we are really grateful for your donations.

Thank you for your continued support.

Young people continue to use one-to-one check-in call service

As part of our commitment to empowering young people with additional needs to reach their potential we’ve enhanced our What Next? Programme and offer Autonomie young people access to one-to-one check-in calls to support their wellbeing at this time.

If your young person would benefit from this service, please get in touch with our Youth Project Officer Nicole Hammond by email at nicoleautonomieorg@gmail.com

Therapeutic stone painting activity to promote relaxation and creativity

Tuesday 16 March 2021

Today’s What Next? Programme is Rock Painting arts and crafts with Áine.

This sensory activity boosts creativity and promotes relaxation.

Resources needed:

• two flat rocks washed and dried ( if no rocks available paper can be used)

• paint and paint brush

• water to clean your brush

• apron/table cloth

Yoga sessions to support wellbeing of parents raising a child or young person with additional needs

Secure your place!

Starting next week, Monday 8th March Family Voice Hub is offering Autonomie parents yoga classes delivered online.

Autonomie Very Important Parents raising a child or young person with additional needs you deserve a treat, so join in for some serious self-care and social time.

Whether you are a complete beginner or a yoga bunny, you’ll find these classes beneficial and all you need is some space - it’s a great way to start your week!

Participants in these sessions will experience the benefits of yoga postures, breath work and relaxtion techniques. Sessions will be delivered in an atmosphere of relaxed learning.

Yoga teacher Orla McKeagney is a psychotherapist and a young people's counsellor. She has over 24 years of yoga experience and currently teaches yoga classes in Namaste Yoga Centre in Belfast.

Details: Starting Monday 8th March at 7:00pm to 8.00pm and running for 4 weeks.

To find out more and to secure your place, please email Sharon Quinn, Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator at sharon.autonomie@gmail.com

**Family Voice Hub is proudly supported by Community Fund NI ‘People and Communities’.**

Young People receive Jungle Activity Book for more Wee Critters Animal Educational fun at home

Following the latest visit from the Wee Critters Animal Education show, young people were presented with a jam-packed Jungle Activity Book to continue exploring the wonderful world of animals that can be found across the world.

with lots of cool activities, there is something for all abilities.

Fun activity ideas include making monkey face toast.

Mindfulness Month latest Mindfulness Class Wed 24 Feb 2021

Sharon and Helen look forward to welcoming everyone later to this week’s Mindfulness class as part of Family Voice Hub’s focus this month on Mindfulness.

Event details: Wednesday 23 Feb 7:00pm - 7.30pm online via Zoom

With host: BACP registered Counsellor Helen Morrison.

*About Mindfulness Month*

As part of our Family Voice Hub Mindfulness Month throughout February, we are delighted to offer this 4-week programme of Mindfulness Classes to parents and siblings raising a child or young adult with additional needs.

It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much. Helen will help you pay more attention to the present moment, to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you.

Helen will explore and equip you with effective mindfulness techniques to help restore your vitality, improve your mental wellbeing and help you enjoy life more.

Young people and children too can greatly benefit from mindfulness as research shows.

These Free classes, are delivered online and are suitable for parents and siblings raising a child or young adult with additional needs at this particularly challenging phase of the pandemic.

Secure your place by emailing Sharon Quinn at Sharon.autonomie@gmail.com

***Family Voice Hub is proudly supported by the National Lottery Community Fund NI People and Communities.***

Family’s joy at hamper prize won at Autonomie’s recent Family Movie Quiz night ballot

Congratulations to the Bradley family, winners last week’s Family Movie Quiz ballot!

Welcoming the prize, dad Vincent said:

“We got receipt of our prize from the quiz ballot today! Such a joy. Lots of fancy chocolates plus double bill of Love Actually and Parent Trap.

Can’t beat that for a Valentine’s Day Lockdown!”

Young people excited for catch up with Allan and his Wee Critters

Back by popular demand!

Allan and his wee critters interactive animal education on Saturday 13th February 2021 at 1.45pm.

Freedom2Choose programme are delighted to welcome the fantastic Wee Critters and host Allan back for another adventure.

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!

Family Movie Quiz night a huge success

Friday 5 February 2021

Family Movie Quiz was great fun and everyone entered into the spirit of the night by dressing up as a movie character. We had Paddington, Dorothy & Toto from the Wizard of Oz, 3 Terminators as well as some minions.

Staff also dressed up as Poppy Troll, Charlie Chaplin and Rizzo from Grease.

All had great fun and well done to the winning team.