Autism Social Café at Hillcrest Trust

An Autism Social Café has been held at Hillcrest Trust at the Top of the Hill area of Derry.

The café was held on January 27 by the Western Health and Social Care Trust and was its fourth Autism Social Café.

The event was delivered in partnership with local statutory services and community and voluntary organisations.

 Vi Gray, Care Opinion; Lisa Storey, Child Development Interventions Coordinator; Bronach McMonagle, Involvement Manager; Priscilla Magee and Paul Sweeney, Locality Planning Co-Ordinators.

Parents and carers of children of all ages, who: had an autism diagnosis; were awaiting an assessment; were displaying early indicators (suggesting their child may be Neurodiverse).

The Trust said the Autism Social Café had  24 information stalls, 46 organisations and 96 parents and carers attending.

A Trust Spokesperson said: "We would like to extend our thanks to the team at Hillcrest Trust for hosting the social café as well the different services and organisations who facilitated informal workshops.

Lisa Storey, Child Development Interventions Coordinator, Health Improvement Equality Involvement Department with the Trust said: "This was an opportunity for parents and carers to meet and learn what programmes and services are available to them.

Lisa Storey, Child Development Interventions Coordinator; Bronach McMonagle, Involvement Manager and Claire McLaughlin, An Chroi Centre Manager.

"Meeting others who are also raising neurodiverse children can create a network of support. The Journey for parents and carers doesn’t begin or end with a diagnosis. The journey starts long before and continues long after. It can be overwhelming, emotionally and physically tiring and at times lonely. We hope the autism social cafés help even in a small way for families.”

Sarah McGill, Autistically Support said: "Speaking at the social café as an autistic adult who is raising an autistic child, helped show foresight and understanding, thank you for inviting me.

"More autistic voices being heard is critical. A quote coined from disability rights movement which sits well here is ‘nothing about us, without us’. We are all learning everyday as parents and professionals. It is vital that services and professionals continue to work together for the benefit of the individuals.”

Little Grace with Michelle Boyd, Health Visiting Team, Shantallow.

Parent, Dawn Colhoun said: "It’s great to see initiatives like the autism social cafés throughout the western trust. The café was a great starter point to find what services and organisations especially groups is available to support us as a family. I hope it’s continued into our hospitals to raise more awareness for autism/learning disabilities so it’s easier for people using services.”

The next Autism Social Cafes will be Friday, February 24 in Melvin Sports Centre, Strabane, and Friday, March 24 in Roe Valley Leisure Centre, Limavady. Both run from 10am to 12noon.

For further information or to share your feedback and ideas please email: Lisa.storey@westerntrust.hscni.net.