You can access family support through your Social Worker from your local Trust. You can also use your personal budget or direct payment to purchase supports directly from us.
Family Support Services
Roisin and Oisin’s Story – Ending the Isolation
“I knew my son Oisin was a Down’s syndrome baby before he was born and that there were a lot of things wrong with him, including heart and kidney problems. The scans suggested he wouldn’t survive for long. But nearly two decades later, I see him as my “boy wonder”.
That’s not to say he didn’t have endless health problems. I was always running back and forth to the hospital. My other children were just brilliant being there for him (and me), singing to him for hours, doing physio, even CPR. But they had their own lives and so eventually it was just Oisin and me.
It took its toll on us. I felt so isolated. Home didn’t have any bars but it was my prison.
Then a social worker mentioned Positive Futures. We’d been let down before by organisations who would say, “Oh yes we can do this and that for you and Oisin” – we would get our hopes up and when they didn’t happen, for whatever reason, it left us feeling even worse – so, I admit my first thought was “Here we go again!”
But when the girls from Positive Futures walked through my door, it was like a breath of fresh air. They were so dedicated and helpful. Before long, my Oisin was going canoeing, doing arts, crafts, trampolining; all sorts of activities filled his calendar. They even had Independence Skills courses.
I could see him becoming more confident. Best of all, he was learning to socialise and make friends. That was the part of his life that had been missing.
Positive Futures has been good for me, too. It has helped me find the independent woman that I once was. I have found support in a group of wonderful people who understand so well about our lives – people who care about me and my son.”
Autism Outreach Service
Our Autism Outreach Service is for autistic children and young people (aged 4–18) who live in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) area. The service supports children and young people to help realise their dreams and ambitions including participating in community activities. In so doing, parents get a break from their caring responsibilities.
The Brighter Futures project does this through:
Ronan’s Story – A Fighting Chance
Ronan is 13 and lives in Co Tyrone. Ronan has been with the new Service for some months. Melissa Hanley, Support Worker, has been working closely with Ronan and his family. Here, she tells us how she has helped Ronan turn difficult behaviour into a positive hobby:
“When I first met with Geraldine, Ronan’s mum, she told me how Ronan would build up his frustrations during this day at school and, when he got home, he would present with behaviours which were difficult to manage.
I spent the early support sessions getting to know Ronan – discovering his talents, his passions and his hopes for the future. We built a rapport quickly when we realised we both shared a love of Liverpool Football Club. Ronan loved chatting about his favourite team and I kept myself updated on all the latest football news each week.
Ronan’s other interests are wrestling and boxing. Appreciating that boxing is a disciplined sport which requires concentration and complete focus, strengthens coordination and motor skills and would provide a constructive outlet for Ronan’s physical energy, I supported him to become actively involved in researching boxing clubs in his local area. Together, we found a boxing club located just 12 miles from his home. I contacted head coach, Neil, and explained to him a little about Ronan and his autism. Neil, who has been very successful in his field, with members of his club achieving Irish titles, European medals and representing Ireland in the World Championships, showed a great interest in learning more about Ronan and his needs. Neil told me that this was a new challenge for him but one he accepted with real enthusiasm. Neil invited Ronan and myself to his club to observe the training, explore the venue and meet some of the members, all of whom made us feel extremely welcome.
Ronan joined in the training the following week and left that day with a huge smile on his face. He chatted the whole way home about all the new friends he made and the new boxing stance he learned. He expressed his eagerness to purchase the required protective gear and to register the following week.
Ronan has gone from strength to strength since joining the club. The club has given him a sense of belonging, improved his self–confidence and provided him with an appropriate environment to release any tensions or stress he may have.
In the words of one of Ronan’s favourite boxers, Floyd Mayweather: ‘Everybody is blessed with a certain talent, you have to know what that talent is… you have to maximise it and push it to the limit.’
Focusing on Ronan’s passion has been a complete knock out. He has punched his way through the barriers and come out a champion!”
