Autonomie

Autonomie empowers young people with additional needs to develop the skills to live independently and achieve their potential. Autonomie was set up in 2009 and was formerly know as LILAC Service. Led by Young People & volunteers the organisation supports children and young people with a physical or mild/ moderate learning disabilities and allied additional needs in Belfast and surrounding areas. Support is offered is through training, practical and social activity programmes, Independent living skills and practical advice for families and siblings.

In October 2020 Autonomie launched The Family Voice Project, a two year project funded by National Lottery Community Fund (People & Communities) this is a practical and emotional support service for all parents of a child or young person with disabilities, and their siblings.  Workshops, social and a drop in venue is provided at Lilac House, 4 Sandhurst Road, Belfast BT7 1PW 

Freedom2Choose is a Social, and Living Skills programme which operates every Saturday from 2.00pm - 4.00pm.  A range of Youth Club based activities are provided for young people between 16 - 30 years of age who are experiencing  the transition into adult life.

SAIL (Social and Independent Living) project which is a new service starting in May 2021 which will provide programmes for young people who have just left education and are entering adult life, the programme will be delivered in areas outside of Belfast e.g. Carrickfergus/Larne, Banbridge/Armagh, Downpatrick/Lisburn.  Each programme will last for 6 months and will be delivered 2-3 days per week.

Autonomie have an accessible centre LILAC House (Linked Independent Living and Advice Centre) in South Belfast. It will provides  facilities including a training room, meeting room, meeting/community use room, kitchen for independent living skills training and a youth-centred drop-in/recreation area.

Open 7 days a week - on a part-time basis, including some evenings - the project will deliver life skills training and provide practical life experience opportunities.

The project aims to promote self-confidence; support active participation; encourage 'natural' interaction; development of friendships and enable and encourage independence. Using trained facilitators up to 20 young people per year will even get the chance to try short-term independent living in purpose-designed accessible facilities on the premises.