Service user Adam recently participated in a training placement with Millennium Court Arts Centre, Portadown. The placement was co-ordinated by Southern Regional College in collaboration with Cedar’s Inclusion Works programme. Adam attended one afternoon per week for seven weeks and really enjoyed working with the art centre team.

Primarily, Adam was tasked to research and trial the use of Buffer for the purposes of scheduling promotional social media posts for art centre events. His contact at the art centre, Johnny Cordner, was extremely welcoming and their work together progressed well as Adam developed digital skills.

The combined collaborative partnership with the South Regional College, Cedar and the Millennium Court Arts Centre was extremely beneficial. Adam was able to share his skills and develop confidence in working with others. Cedar staff were pleased to support Adam by sourcing adaptive equipment to help with his placement and found every aspect of cooperation and communication between all agencies involved tremendously positive.

As a bonus Adam additionally had the chance to support the art centre staff set up for the CAST exhibition. Through creative thinking, small adjustments and collaborative planning Adam has proved that opportunity brings both choice and inclusion.

What is Inclusion Works?

Inclusion Works supports adults with disabilities who are keen to build employability skills and experience to be work ready, then moving into a paid job, college course or volunteering on leaving. Specialist physical disability, ASD and brain injury support is available and tailored to each individual and their needs. Following initial assessments, participants will build an action plan, drawn from a menu of choices to address their personal barriers and agree solutions to meet their employability and inclusion goals. Inclusion Works is person-centred, encouraging and supporting individuals to design their own programmes around their needs and aspirations, building confidence and independence. 

This project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020 and the Department for the Economy. Funding is also provided by the Department for Communities and all five local HSCTs in Northern Ireland.

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