Andrea Brown a Lisburn service user has had a very difficult few years. Andrea admits she lost her confidence and spark and struggled to leave the house. With the support from Cedar's Inclusion Matters team, SEFF and Atlas Lisburn Andrea has supported Andrea to get that twinkle in her eyes again.

Andrea loves art and attends Atlas classes regularly. She has recently completed training with SEFF for volunteering and has started the role of volunteer befriender co-ordinator for the Eastern region. As part of her role she will co-ordinate befriending in the area, matching befriender's with befriendees.

Andrea said: "I now have a new value to life beyond family. I am feeling needed and useful and I am helping to impact other peoples lives the way my CIO has impacted my life".

Andrea is an inspiration who has overcome so much in her life and is now helping others to do the same.

InclUSion Matters supports people with disabilities, especially those who experience isolation, to build new social networks within their local communities. The service is focused on encouraging peer support and enabling user-led networking to help participants become involved in social, leisure and recreational opportunities within their local area.  

If you would like to find out more about Inclusion Matters please visit our dedicated page.