We recognise the urgent need for collective action on climate change in the face of unequivocal scientific evidence. Caring for our World, a 'first of its kind' set of resources co-developed, with the people we support and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB), its part of our response to the climate crises. Caring for our World provides an inclusive set of training materials for staff and people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury and autism. The training is available free of charge to any Northern Ireland organisation supporting people with a learning disability.
Caring for our World is Northern Ireland’s first training resource for people with a learning disability that focuses on climate action and living more sustainably. Co-designed by keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Positive Futures, the resources are flexible and inclusive and can be adapted by staff to be delivered as full workshops or as one-to-one sessions for those with more complex needs. Currently, the Department for Agriculture, Environmental & Rural Affairs (DAERA) are funding the programme through the carrier bag levy, so all training and resources are free when accessed through Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
Patrick Mckinney, one of the first people we support to complete the training
I like to help the planet; I recycle and save energy. I know I make a difference
Patrick and Rodney, who are supported by our Mid-Ulster Supported Living Service, helped KNIB and Positive Futures develop the course by taking Part in the Pilot. They made a short, fun, film to show what the training meant to them.
Developing the Programme
The people we support were part of the developing the Caring for our World program from the very start. They contributed to what should be included in the training for them, what the materials should look like and the best ways to deliver that training, going through early pilot sessions and feeding back what worked for them and what didn’t.
Here are some pictures of the early pilot activity.
