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Bolster Community, a local charity and social enterprise that offers practical support for individuals and families, is holding an exciting conference - Empowering Autistic Voices.
One of Bolster’s programmes is Autism Connect. A social hub for individuals over 18 years, with or waiting on an Autism diagnosis, these young people have been working to create an exciting conference featuring inspiring guest speakers who will provide valuable insights into understanding autism, breaking into employment, and overcoming social barriers specific to the autistic community.
The conference will take place on Thursday 4May 10.30am at Canal Court Hotel, Newry. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear personal stories from young adults who will dispel common myths surrounding autism. Whether you're a parent, educator, or community member, this conference is a must-attend event for anyone interested in supporting and empowering autistic voices.
Rebecca McKinney, Cool FM presenter, will take the stage as our conference host. You'll hear from experts who are recognised for their contributions in the field of autism, and individual with lived experience. These include:
Finbar Hogan, Education Officer from As I Am is set to take the stage and share his insights on the importance of inclusive voices and the power of lived experiences.
Dr Ivor Crothers, Clinical Director of Psychology Services, Southern Health and Social Care Trust will be sharing his professional thoughts on the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum and the services that are available for support.
Tina Calder, Director at Excalibur Press along with her colleague Adam. Tina will share her extensive knowledge and experience on helping to break down the barriers that many autistic individuals face when seeking employment. Adam will share his unique perspective and provide valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in the workplace as an autistic individual.
Emer Maguire's talk on "Embracing Independence as an Autistic Adult" promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a young autistic adult.
Jacinta Linden, CEO at Bolster Community commented “We are delighted to be working with a fantastic group of autistic young adults who over the past 12 months, we have seen a tremendous surge in confidence among our adults, enabling them the tackle everyday challenges and contribute to their local community, this conference being just one example. An opportunity for these young people to have their voices heard and provide a platform for them to empower change within the autism community in Newry and beyond.”
Empower Autistic Voices is set to be a game-changer for anyone interested in supporting and empowering the autistic community. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity – registration is now open! Visit bolstercommunity.org to register and find out more.
