Brothers autism social enterprise CIC

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Delighted to be reelected as Chair of the APG on ADHD 🎉

Since becoming an MLA in May 2022, I’ve made helping the ADHD community and those living with neurodivergent conditions a priority.

Over the coming year, we will continue to press the Health Minister to implement the recommendations of the recent ADHD review and to take steps towards commissioning the service in Northern Ireland.

As ever, if you have any thoughts or concerns on how lack of this service is affecting you or your family, please let me know and I will continue to speak truth to power on this issue ⤵️

Autistic adults often face a care cliff when childhood support ends.
Services disappear. Mental health suffers. Isolation grows. And people are expected to cope alone because their autism is often less visible - this leads many autistic | ND individuals to mask, which often results in experiencing exasperated-and-largely avoidable mental health issues & difficulties.

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That is why I created BASE (Belfast & Downpatrick) - an award-winning organisation recognised at the NI Learning Disability & Autism Awards 2026 - delivering structured, autism-informed programmes for diagnosed and non-diagnosed autistic / neurodivergent adults, aged 18–35 and 35+.

Friendship 🫶 Belonging 🎯 Creativity 🎨 Confidence 👩‍🎤Community 🏠

Self-referral: https://www.brothersautism.co.uk/our-services

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Brothers autism social enterprise CIC Social Enterprise Northern Ireland The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Belfast Harbour South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

An amazing response so far - please - SHARE' - Our own Founder | Director of Brothers autism social enterprise CIC - David McLaughlin (BSc., MA., Dip.PG) - is seeking further participants for his PhD Doctorate - if you, or someone (>18 only - based in NI) you know would be interested in participating in this incredibly important research area please email [email protected]

Also, if our local fellow Autism | disability charities & not for profits and any other organisations that David has worked with and | or supported over the years (tagged in post) could 'share' this post on their social media pages and with their service users & families - that would be really helpful 🙂

Thank you❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️

Mainstay DRP Bolster Community Autism Support Kilkeel Include Youth Fermanagh Community Transport ADHD AND ASD CO DOWN PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP NOW Group Volunteer Now Autism NI AutismBarber-ni Happy Days Project Arts Care Cedar Foundation Helping Hands Autism Support University of Atypical for Arts and Disability Helping Hands Autism Support We Are Stepping Stones NI

Invitation: Bereavement Study for Autistic Adults

Personal request from BASE's own David McLaughlin BSc., MA, PG.Dip.

Are you an autistic adult (18+) living in Northern Ireland who has experienced the loss of someone close (parent, sibling, grandparent, or close friend) between 6 and 36 months ago?

I am a PhD candidate at Queen’s University Belfast, and I am seeking participants for a pilot interview as part of my study:
“Autistic Adults’ Lived Experiences of Bereavement”

Who can take part?

Autistic adults aged 18 or over
Living in Northern Ireland
Bereaved 6–36 months ago of a close person (parent, sibling, grandparent, or close friend)
Able to provide informed consent
English speaking

If you are interested, or know someone who may be interested in participating in this meaningful research, please contact me at [email protected]

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Brothers autism social enterprise CIC Social Enterprise Northern Ireland QUB - School of Psychology School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen's University Queen's University Belfast

Yet another full-group-attendance at last night's Spectrum Creations (Downpatrick) programme - a fun packed evening filled with laughter, constant chatting, and getting creative together - so many lovely positive friendships forming; where everyone at BASE always looks our for each other 💛💚🩵🩷💜🧡

Brothers autism social enterprise CIC Social Enterprise Northern Ireland Belfast Harbour The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland The National Lottery Community Fund

💙 Coming Soon – Spectrum Creations Belfast (Over 35s)

FRIDAY EVENINGS 6pm to 9pm - Commencing 3rd July 2026

A brand new Spectrum Creations programme for autistic and neurodivergent adults aged over 35 is now opening in Belfast.

This will be a social, arts, and friendship-based programme focused on:

✨ connection
✨ confidence
✨ creativity
✨ belonging

For many autistic adults, support, friendship, and community should not stop at a certain age.

If you are interested in joining, or would like to refer someone, register your interest now.

💷 £125 for 10 weeks

📋Self-Referral form: https://www.brothersautism.co.uk/copy-of-spectrum-creations-18-35-1

🌱 New Spectrum Creations Group – Belfast (Ages 18–35)

TUESDAY EVENINGS 6pm to 9pm - Commencing 30th June 2026
Due to strong demand for our longstanding Belfast programme, we are now opening a second Spectrum Creations group in Belfast for autistic and neurodivergent adults aged 18–35.

Spectrum Creations is a structured social, arts, and friendship-based programme focused on:

✨ confidence
✨ friendship
✨ wellbeing
✨ community

Members take part in creative activity, build positive social connections, and become part of an ongoing BASE community.

✅ Structured weekly sessions
✅ Monthly social activities
✅ Friendly, welcoming environment

💷 £125 for 10 weeks

📋Self-Referral form: https://www.brothersautism.co.uk/base

👉 Once a BASE member, always a BASE member.

💙 Spectrum Creations – Belfast (Ages 16–30) - Learning Disability Group

MONDAY EVENINGS 6pm to 8.30pm - Commencing 29th June 2026

We are now filling our next 10-week Spectrum Creations programme in Belfast for autistic and neurodivergent young adults with a learning disability.

This is a social, arts, and friendship-based programme focused on: ✨ confidence
✨ connection
✨ creativity
✨ belonging

✅ Small, supportive group
✅ Monthly social activities
✅ Starts 29 June 2026
✅ Only 6 spaces remaining

💷 £125 for 10 weeks

📋Self-Referral form: https://www.brothersautism.co.uk/base

And one of the things that makes BASE different: 👉 Once a BASE member, always a BASE member.

Members have first refusal on future programmes and ongoing activities.

David had a great day at a social value workshop facilitated by Enterprise Evolution and Catalyst in Belfast - a wonderful opportunity to network with fellow passionate founders of some amazing local charities & social enterprises 💛💚🩵🩷💜🧡

Brothers autism social enterprise CIC Social Enterprise Northern Ireland

MEMBERS ONLY UPDATE - BELFAST THURSDAY GROUP

Please let David know asap if you will be attending our Monthly Social Group Activity

Brothers autism social enterprise CIC