The following is a list of some of the local parent support groups and organisations that offer support and activities to parents, children and young peaople in Northern Ireland. Before going along to any meetings, please give the named contact a call on the telephone number mentioned to check times, dates and venues as these may have changed to those listed.
Please note, Contact a Family is not responsible for the content of any external websites that are linked through these pages. If you know any of these details are incorrect, please let us know.
Contact a Family Northern Ireland has details of approximately 75 local support groups throughout the region. If a local group to you isn't listed below, please contact us on Tel: 028 9262 7552 or e-mail: nireland.office@cafamily.org.uk and we will do our best to help.
Aspergers Network
Sharon and Derek Doherty, 10 Ashgrove Park, Old Road, Maghaberry, Moira BT67 0QQ
Tel: 028 92 611851
e-mail: sharon.doherty@tesco.net
Web: http://www.aspergersnetwork.org.uk
Organise social events, outings, special skills training, personal and social education, life skills training, outdoor pursuits and a befriending network. Caters for all ages. Meet every Monday, 7pm-9pm at 174 Antrim Road. All parents and carers who look after someone with Aspergers syndrome are welcome. The Craigavon teen social group and parents support group meet at Laurencetown Community Centre on the third Monday of every month, 7.30-9.30pm.
Group Knights Junior Wheelchair Sports Club
Venue: Belfast Indoor Tennis Centre and Ozone Complex, Belfast
Times: every Saturday 11am-1pm
Cost: FREE
Tel: Jim Agnew on 07821 320072
Details: The club is multi-sport and introduces young people to fun, fitness and a wide range of different sports including wheelchair basketball, football, tennis, badminton, new age kurling and more. Aimed at primary and secondary aged children with mobility disorders, the club hopes to achieve exercise for kids through various sporting activities and to create an inclusive social experience through sport.
Heartbeat
Mr Irwyn McKibben, 9 Turloughs Hill, Annalong, Co Down BT34 4XD
Tel: 028 43 768768
e-mail: mckibben@btinternet.com
Web: http://www.heartbeatni.co.uk
Meet every month and cater for ages birth to 30 plus. Run two family events; a summer picnic and Christmas pantomine. Have four holiday caravans for use by families. Supply accommodation at the RBHSC for parents whose child is in Clark Clinic. A telephone link to Clark Clinic is installed in the accommodation, and this offers parents the peace of mind that they can be contacted at any time, day or night if needed.
Lisburn Access Group
Tel: 07759 818694
e-mail: info@lisburnaccess.com
Web: http://www.lisburnaccess.com
Voluntary group working to improve general access issues - physical issues, information, parking, building and pavement design and environment, to anyone with any type of a disability in the Lisburn area. They talk with local council and road services as well as business owners to promote the rights of the disabled person and encourage a more positive attitude towards people with a disability. They are presently (September 2009) looking for new members, especially parents with a disabled child or young person.
NI-ADD Support Centre (ADHD & Related Disorders)
Sarah Salters, 71 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast BT9 6EW
Tel: 028 90 200110 (Mon-Thurs 9am-4.30pm, Fri 9am-2.30pm, answerphone available)
e-mail: niaddfsguk@netscape.net
Web: http://www.ni-add.org.uk
Meet on the first Tuesday of every month and parents use the centre as needed. Provide ADHD focused behaviour management programmes, support to children and young people, individual counselling for children, young people and adults affected by the condition, an information service, telephone help and advice line, book and video library, research projects and awareness raising conferences.
Area(s) covered: all of Northern Ireland.
NI ME Association
Mrs Jo Calder, 28 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7FE
Tel: 028 90 439831 (24 hour information line)
e-mail: nimeaenquiry@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.nimea.org
Offers supports and information to all those affected by ME with separate networks for children, teens and parents and young adults. Membership is free. Advice is available on benefits, education and medical issues through their advisers.
PAPA Down
Moira Denvir, 4 Slaney Park, Downpatrick, Co Down BT30 6PH
Tel: 028 44 615307 (evening - answerphone available)/Paula Trainor, 028 437 68411
Support group mainly for parents, carers and people with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), but welcome parents and carers of children, young people and adults with any disability who need support. Provide support and information, access to literature, access to others in similar circumstances, regular family days out, speakers and attendance at conferences.Meet at 8.30pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the Murlough Tavern, Dundrum.
P2P Autism
e-mail: p2pautism@yahoo.com
Small advocacy group for parents in the Belfast region. They can be contacted via e-mail.
Parents Support Group - SureStart Downpatrick
Join this enthusiastic and supportive group of parents of children with disabilities from the local area in a warm and welcoming environment.
They meet every Monday morning at 10.30am in the Sure Start Centre, Mount Crescent, Downpatrick BT30 6AF
Contact Oonagh McClean for further details at 028 44613630
SNAP – special needs and parents (South Down)
Web: http://www.snap-ni.co.uk/
Offers support for parents of special needs children and young adults in the South Down area. At present 40 families are registered with SNAP. Parents meet monthly in Kilmorey Arms Hotel, Kilkeel to have a cup of tea/coffee, chat, exchange views and relax. Often guest speakers are invited. In conjunction with Orana Children and Family Centre, Newry, a children’s’ club is held on one Saturday per month. This is located in the Mourne Stimulus Day Centre, Council Road, Kilkeel.
TinyLife Previously called NIMBA (Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Action)
33 Ballynahinch Road, Carryduff, Belfast, BT8 8EH
Tel: 028 90815050
Fax: 02890 815850
e-mail: info@tinylife.org.uk
Web: http://www.tinylife.org.uk
Provide families with emotional and practical support, fund vital medical research, and provide information to professionals and parents-to-be to ensure that every pregnancy has the best chance of a healthy outcome and a healthy baby. They also provide a breast pump loan service, parent support groups and a resource and information library. Support is available to families with preterm, ill and disabled babies, and multiples.
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