Friendship, fun and giving back – all in a day’s work for Magherafelt volunteer Noel

Noel McLaughlin is a busy man.

Volunteering at the Forever Young Project Luncheon Club in Magherafelt, fun and games at Magherafelt Base, singing and dancing at drama class – these are just some of the things he gets up to during the week!

All of this is made possible by the support Noel receives from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Day Opportunities programme. It aims to empower adults with a learning disability to ensure they can live life to the fullest and achieve their true potential.

Over the past 20 years, it has gone from strength to strength, enhancing the lives of many people like Noel.

As the service celebrates its milestone anniversary, Noel has been reflecting on the impact it has made on him: “I recently started volunteering at the Luncheon Club in InVOLve House through Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre

“I really enjoy it as it gets me out of the house and I get a nice hot meal. After the Luncheon Club I am able to make my way to Magherafelt Base to finish the afternoon catching up with my new friends. I really enjoy both as I get to meet my   friends and have a bit of craic.”

Always open to new experiences, Noel recently completed a ten-week performing arts programme, which culminated in a brilliant performance for friends and family at The Burnavon Theatre in Cookstown.

“We had 10 drama classes and then we put on a show. My character was called Sneezy. Jacqueline from Day Opportunities helped me learn Makaton for a song, ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’. This was a new skill. I had not done this before,” he said.

“I also helped to paint some of the props. I went on stage with signs to get the audience to boo for the wicked queen. It was great fun. I would like to do more in the future.”

In keeping with the theme of new experiences, Noel recently signed up to take part in the Northern Regional College summer scheme for the first time, learning to bake delicious mug cakes, enjoying PE sessions and getting creative with arts and crafts at the Magherafelt campus.

Day Opportunities Coordinator, Jacqueline Rock said: “Noel has been incredibly welcoming to me, and the way he has got involved with drama and took on the task of learning Makaton has been amazing to be a part of.

“He has a wonderful laugh and a great sense of humour which made learning the song a lot of fun! It has been great to see Noel try a new opportunity and get so much enjoyment out of it.

“He always keeps me updated about how he is getting on and I look forward to this because it always comes with a joke!”

Noel’s volunteering role was made possible by the Day Opportunities partnership with Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre. You’ll find him at the Forever Young Project’s luncheon club held every Tuesday in InVOLve House, where he lends a hand with everything from setting up the room to helping out in the kitchen.

“Noel is doing great work as a volunteer, and he plays a crucial part in ensuring everything runs smoothly, said Claire from the Forever Young Project.

“Volunteering has enabled him to develop his skills and increase his knowledge and experience in hospitality - he is a real asset to the team. We all want to say well done to Noel for everything he has achieved. Everyone at the club is very grateful to him for his time, commitment and hard work,”

Noel’s story is part of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Opportunities For All series, which celebrates the development of the Day Opportunities service over the past two decades.

To read other stories in the series go to Northern Trust