The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust organised a Neuro Café event in Downpatrick. Families, carers and support organisations attended to share information and advice for people with neurodivergent conditions.

Visitors met representatives from various services and community groups. Information stalls operated throughout the day. Workshops offered guidance and practical knowledge to parents and carers.

Participating organisations from the trust included Social Work and Mental Health Service, Health Visiting, School Nursing, Children’s Disability Service, Children’s Autism Intervention Service and ADHD Service.

Community and voluntary sector groups present were Autism NI, National Autistic Society, Cedar Foundation, Middletown Centre for Autism, The NOW Group, The Rainbow Project, Orchardville Society and Mencap.

Other attendees included Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Education Authority Northern Ireland, South Eastern Regional College, Sense NI and NI Direct Make the Call Service, plus local support groups and social enterprises.

Workshops featured a session from Study Seed on support for parents of children facing school attendance issues. The Education Authority Northern Ireland presented an overview of its services, including the Learning Impact Team and aids for children and young people.

Niall Rotherham, Senior Social Work Practitioner at the South Eastern Trust, stated that the event succeeded in connecting organisations to support families and carers. He noted positive feedback underscored the value of uniting health, education, community and voluntary partners to deliver needed information.