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.
Come along and give our 5-strong Belfast City Marathon Relay Team a wave on Sunday the 3rd of October!
With staff, parents and Autonomie supporters making up Team Autonomie, in running order we have:
Nicole Hammond (Starting at Stormont Estate)
Hannah Glasgow
Peter Quinn
Stephen Cockcroft
Emma Cockcroft
We hope to see you all there!
Please support us in whatever way you can we really really appreciate it.
Visit our JustGiving page to donate.
SAIL - West Belfast will start on Wednesday 6 October 2021 and will run every Wednesday and Friday for 6 months at Pastoral Centre, 125 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6AB
Suitable for 16-30 years olds with additional needs SAIL (Social and Independent Living) pilot project gives Young People structured opportunities to build self-confidence through self-awareness.
Meet new People
Reduce social isolation
Boost self confidence
Gain independent living skills
Aquire self awareness skills
Have FUN
Full programme details: http://www.autonomie.org.uk/sail-project
For further info and to register your interest, please email Nicole Hammond, SAIL Youth Development Officer at nicoleautonomieorg@gmail.com
Alternatively, call us at 028 9591 8051
SAIL Programme Registration Day!
Where? Pastoral centre, St Pauls Parish Grounds, 125 Falls Rd, Belfast BT12 6AB
When? Wednesday 15th September 2021 from 10:00am until 12:00pm
Who? 16-30 year olds with additional needs
What? Information on Autonomie and the SAIL Programme, meet SAIL Programme team and potential participants, get an insight of activities which take place and take part in some fun games.
Sharon Quinn FVH Co-Ordinator will also be available on the day for a coffee and a chat for any parents or/and siblings who are coming along.
The SAIL Programme will begin in October 2021 at Pastoral centre, St Pauls Parish Grounds at last for 6 months.
SAIL is free to attend.
For more info Email Nicole Hammond, Youth Development Officer, SAIL Programme at nicoleautonomie@gmail.com
Press release
Friday 3 September 2021
The 16-30 years olds enjoyed a boating expedition with Belfast Lough Sailability organised by charity Autonomie.
Young people with complex additional needs that participant in Autonomie's social and recreational programme Freedom2Choose got a chance to enjoy a boat trip with Belfast Lough Sailability.
Launched from Carrickfergus, two Sailability boats carried the young people including some that are wheelchair users, Autonomie staff and volunteers and crew.
Lynne Morrison Chief Officer at Autonomie said: "It is vital young people with additional needs can access the same opportunities as all young people and we are proud to deliver a fun and exciting social and recreational activities programme that gives these young people the chance to get to do activities they normally may not get a chance to do especially over the past 18 months due to the pandemic.
"The Belfast Lough Sailability crew were fantastic. Our young people had a wonderful time and are excited to have another sea adventure again next summer."
On Saturday 28th August young people donned their life jackets for a morning of boating adventure on the high seas off the coast of Carrickfergus with organisers Belfast Lough Sailability.
Freedom2Choose member Emma said:
“Everyone was super excited to get out on the boats and what a day we had with the Weather.
“With 2 boats available on the day, we split into 2 groups. We spent the first part of the session getting our life jackets fitted before heading out.
“Everyone enjoyed 45 minutes on the water and some of the young people got to have a go at steering the boats.
“Everyone had a great time.”
Young people with additional needs who took part in the Autonomie Summer Scheme which ran 20 - 23 July and 10 - 13 August have hailed the programme as “the best ever”.
The Summer Activity Programme too place at Annandale Community Centre as well as Belfast Activity Centre.
Young people were assigned to one of 2 groups as part of Covid safety regulations.
The programme proved popular with no spaces left and young people attended on their assigned weeks.
Activity highlights included participants making their own tie-dye t-shirts, Wee Critters Interactive Animal Education Show, baking, games and art and crafts.
Parents too got in on the action, joining young people for ‘I’m A Celebrity get me out of here’ themed-challenges.
Lynne Morrison, Autonomie Chief Officer said “Another fantastic Summer Activity Programme for our Young People. I’m delighted that everyone has had a fun time at the programme.
“I would also like to commend the Summer Activity Programme staff Emma, Nicole and Tessie for delivering a well-planned exciting and fun-packed 4 weeks of adventure and entertainment for our Young People.
“The feedback from the Young People and their families has been amazing.”
The Summer Activity Programme, part of Freedom2Choose and SAIL pilot-project is supported by Community Fund NI
Autonomie staff and volunteers got together for an 'end of Summer' meal on Friday 29th August to thank the whole team for all their hard work and dedication over the past challenging 18-months.
Thanking staff and volunteers, Lynne Morrison Autonomie Chief Officer said:
“A massive thank you to Emma, Nicole & Tessie for planning a great Summer Activity Programme and for all the others for supporting our Young People.”
”Our work is vital and the team have really stepped up over the past 18-months by continuing to deliver high quality activity programmes whether online or group-based to ensure no vulnerable young person was left behind due to the impact of the Covid pandemic.”
Exciting news!
Congratulations to Sandra McDonald who has successfully secured the role of Youth Programme Worker for SAIL (Social and Independent Living) Project.
Sandra who started her role on 2nd August 2021 said: “I’m excited to work with such a dedicated team that make a huge difference to the lives of young people with additional needs.”
SAIL, a 3-year pilot project supported by Community Fund NI offers young people with additional needs aged 16-30 structured opportunities weekdays Tuesdays and Thursdays to build self-confidence through self-awareness - Practical learning that’s fun!
SAIL is currently running in the Lisburn city and Castlereagh council area.
To find out more at our SAIL webpage.
This is the latest Freedom2Choose schedule for July, August, September and October 2021.
The Hub’s walking club proves popular with families taking part each week.
At last week’s Family Voice Hub’s Saturday Saunter walking club, some parents and siblings joined Sharon our Hub’s Co-Ordinator after dropping young people off at Freedom2Choose.
“We made the most of the glorious weather and went for a very slow walk up the Ormeau Road calling into First Avenue Coffee Shop for some Smoothies and Iced Tea before setting off again going back over the Towpath taking in the amazing sights of the Harland and Wolff Cranes.” Family Voice Hub Co-Ordinator, Sharon Quinn
Do you know our Saturday Saunter walking club is available to parents and siblings of a child or young person with additional needs.
Enjoy a friendly chat and walk with like minded families each Saturday hosted by Sharon our Co-Ordinator.
For more info and to register your interest, please see flyer for details.
