We recognise the urgent need to take action on climate change. Caring for Our World is a unique set of resources developed as part of our response to the climate crisis. It provides inclusive training materials for staff and for people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury, and autism. The training is free and available to any organisation in Northern Ireland that supports 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 Live Here Love Here (aka Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful) and the people we support at Positive Futures. The resources are flexible, 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 Live Here Love Here.
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 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 developing the Caring for our World program from the very start. They contributed what should be included in the training, 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.
