A successful Neuro Café event organised by the South Eastern Trust in Downpatrick, brought together families, carers and a wide range of support organisations to provide information, advice and practical support for people with neurodivergent conditions.
The event welcomed visitors to meet representatives from a variety of services and community groups, offering an opportunity to learn more about the supports available locally.
A number of information stalls were available throughout the day, alongside workshops designed to provide guidance and share practical knowledge with parents and carers.
Organisations taking part included the South Eastern Trust Social Work and Mental Health Service, Health Visiting, School Nursing, Children’s Disability Service, Children’s Autism Intervention Service and the ADHD Service.
Community and voluntary sector partners also attended, including Autism NI, National Autistic Society, Cedar Foundation, Middletown Centre for Autism, The NOW Group, The Rainbow Project, Orchardville Society and Mencap.
Additional support organisations present included the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Education Authority Northern Ireland, South Eastern Regional College, Sense NI and NI Direct Make the Call Service, alongside a number of local support groups and social enterprises.
Workshops held during the event included a session delivered by Study Seed which provided guidance and support for parents of children experiencing difficulty with school attendance. The Education Authority Northern Ireland also hosted a workshop offering an overview of its services, including the Learning Impact Team and the range of support available to children and young people.
Speaking about the event, South Eastern Trust, Senior Social Work Practitioner, Niall Rotherham said, “The Neuro Café was a great success and it was fantastic to see so many organisations come together in one place to support families and carers. Events like this provide an opportunity for people to connect with services, ask questions and learn about the supports available within their local community.
“The positive feedback from those who attended highlights just how valuable these events are. Bringing together health, education, community and voluntary sector partners helps ensure families can access the information and support they need.”