Youth Worker

CAN Pathways (funded by the Big Lottery) with three years remaining aims to provide a ‘navigation’ programme for young people with learning disabilities and autism (aged 12 to 25) in the council areas of Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid and East Antrim Council areas.  The aim of the project is to support young people at a pivotal time in their lives to create better life outcomes.  The project involves community engagement in mainstream activities and enabling young people to increase their friendship circles and forge stronger networks of support thus helping young people to become fully involved in decisions and choices that affect their lives as they move into adulthood. 

The project also involves:

• Better signposting to advice and guidance;
• Access to training and employment opportunities;
• Accredited training in life skills to enable the young people to be safe, empowered, in control, informed and active within their own local community;
• Enhancing social skills, physical and mental health, independence and coping skills for when things ‘go wrong’.

Young people are in the lead in this project through:

• Focus and planning groups;
• Steering Group;
• A Person-Centered approach with a strong user-led ethos.