Nicole Hammond successfully secures role at new SAIL project

Congratulations to Nicole Hammond who has successfully secured the role of Youth Development Officer for Autonomie’s new SAIL (Social and Independent Living) Project.

Nicole previously held the position of Youth Project Officer at Autonomie’s What Next? Project, a 3-year project that supported young people in Belfast and surrounding areas and has come to an end.

Coming soon Nicole tells us in her latest blog Q&A interview what this role means to her, what young people can expect from SAIL and why young people should take part in this unique programme.

Autonomie launches new project to empower 16-30 year olds with additional needs across 8 local council areas with support of The National Lottery community Fund NI

Last week Autonomie newsletter subscribers learnt of our new exciting news and we are delighted to share with you.

We are thrilled to announce a new 3-year project SAIL (Social and Independent Living).

SAIL which officially started on 1st May 2021 provides young people aged 16-30 with complex additional needs an interactive, fun learning experience to help them develop self-confidence, self-awareness and provide emotional and practical support during transition between adolescence and adulthood.

This National Lottery funded project offers participants an opportunity to develop, or improve, basic independent living skills and empower them to live more independent and confident lives within their community.

Similar to What Next? project which ended in April 2021, SAIL travels to more out of Belfast locations to reach young people who are unable to travel into Belfast.

This programme includes Freedom2Choose and operates 4-5 days a week for 48 weeks per year over 3-years including Saturdays.

A massive thank you goes to The National Lottery Community Fund NI for their incredible support.

We look forward to getting our services mobile!

Please continue to check our website and our Facebook page for further project announcements coming soon.

Autonomie resumes face-to-face activity sessions and met with huge excitement amongst young people

As lockdown restrictions ease, on Saturday 5 June we held our first session back face-to-face in over 15-months at Freedom2Choose and everyone was very excited.

Team member Emma explains more:

“We started the session with group discussions and did an introduction about ourselves for some of the new members.

We then started our Arts and Crafts activity with Tessie making Fathers Day cards and coasters.

“The session was ended with a game called the 5 second rule. We had to 2 teams playing and it became pretty competitive especially with the staff and volunteers!”

There has been lots of wonderful feedback from young people and families including:

“Thank you! Owen had a lovely time at Freedom to Choose. So great to get back!”

“Andrew had a great time too!”

“Niamh loved it can’t wait to the next one great to be back face2face!”

Team Freedom2Choose are super excited to welcome Group 2 Autonomie Very Important Young People this coming Saturday 12 June!

It was a Saturday Saunter for parents with Family Voice Hub’s new walking club

Family Voice Hub’s walking club ‘Saturday Saunter’ got off to a great start on Saturday 5 June with some parents taking part for a walk along the Lagan towpath and through Ormeau Park before enjoying a well deserved cuppa.

“Great to catch-up and have adult conversation and of course the just the tonic for our mental well-being and not forgetting exercise.

“Looking forward to next week!” - Sharon Quinn, Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator.

The next ‘Saturday Saunter’ takes place this Saturday 12 June. Please see below flyer for further details and to reserve your place.

Hope to see you there.

Freedom2Choose face-to-face sessions resume with fun-packed activity line up for young people aged 16-30 with additional needs

Members check out our latest exciting activities programme schedule which runs Saturday 5 June to Saturday 21st August 2021.

Activity schedule

Face-to-face activities sessions for young people resume on Saturday 5th June and will have 2 groups which will mean everyone attends alternate Saturdays - this is to ensure we are delivering services in accordance with PHA and Department of Health Covid-19 guidance.

The venue for all Saturday activities will be Shaftsbury Community & Recreation Centre, 97 Balfour Ave, Belfast BT7 2EW.

Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Parents please note:

Volunteers and staff will be at the door of the centre to accept your son/daughter and to meet you when you are collecting them, this is to reduce foot fall in the building, so please ensure the times are adhered to.

A drink and snack is included (until further notice) and the cost to attend on a Saturday is £2.00

Further information:

All staff will wear PPE and we ask that your daughter/son would bring a face covering, to use when moving around the centre, unless they are exempt.

Benefits of participation:

• socialise with others

• tackle social isolation

• develop and learn new skills

• feel part of a community

New ‘Saturday Saunter’ walking club launches for Autonomie parents

Family Voice Hub is delighted to announce a new walking club for Autonomie Very Important Parents.

‘Saturday Saunter’ will run Saturdays at the same time as young people’s face to face activity sessions.

Parents, after dropping your young person off on a Saturday afternoon why not join Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator Sharon and other parents for a walk along the Lagan towpath before collecting your child.

A great way for a bit of exercise and a catch up with each other.

To find out more and to register your interest please email Sharon at Sharon.autonomie@gmail.com

Saturday activities programme to resume face to face on Saturday 5th June 2021

Autonomie is delighted to announce that face-to-face activities sessions for young people are to resume from Saturday 5th June.

Expect lots of FUN activities for everyone and all abilities.

There will be 2 groups which will mean everyone attends alternate Saturdays - this is to ensure we are delivering services in accordance with PHA and Department of Health Covid-19 guidance.

The venue for all Saturday activities will be Shaftsbury Community & Recreation Centre, 97 Balfour Ave, Belfast BT7 2EW.

Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Parents please note:

Volunteers and staff will be at the door of the centre to accept your son/daughter and to meet you when you are collecting them, this is to reduce foot fall in the building, so please ensure the times are adhered to.

A drink and snack is included (until further notice) and the cost to attend on a Saturday is £2.00

Further information:

All staff will wear PPE and we ask that your daughter/son would bring a face covering, to use when moving around the centre, unless they are exempt.

Team Autonomie are super excited to seeing everyone!

Thank you to all our volunteers

It’s #VolunteersWeek, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our incredible volunteers who have contributed their time and skills to support Autonomie Very Important Young People and their families throughout the pandemic.

Thank you!

Families access practical and emotional support with Family Voice Hub drop-in sessions at Lilac House

“It’s wonderful that so many families are accessing Family Voice Hub’s drop-in service.

“The hub is proud to help families raising a child or young person with additional needs and I know first-hand how important it is to have a listening ear and access to the right information and especially during this period of challenge for families.”

Sharon Quinn, Family Voice Hub Project Co-Ordinator and parent

If you or your family are raising a child or young person with additional needs, book a drop-in session at Lilac House for a cuppa and a chat with Sharon.

This service is confidential and free of charge and offers practical and emotional support to help you and your family thrive.

To find out more please visit the Family Voice Hub section on our website here: http://www.autonomie.org.uk/family-support-services

To book a family drop-in session at Lilac House or a telephone or video appointment, please contact us using this online form and a member of our team will be in touch. http://www.autonomie.org.uk/family-voice-hub-online-enquiry-form

Welcoming our new volunteers as befriending service launches

Volunteers are at the heart of Autonomie and we are delighted to welcome Sophia, Sandra, Kelly and Ella to the team.

As a volunteer ‘buddies’, Sophia, Sandra, Kelly and Ella will each be supporting a young person aged 16-30 who has additional needs and who is or at risk of becoming socially isolated having left full-time education and not suitable for mainstream further education or training.

As a ‘buddy’, each volunteer and their designated young person can organise catch-ups such as walks, shopping trips, coffee or ice-cream treats and a chat.