January 2022

Communication Matters and Mae Murray Foundation – working together in Northern Ireland

We are delighted to have been awarded a one year grant from Awards for All Northern Ireland to run a pilot project in partnership with Mae Murray Foundation and Creativity in Practice Ltd to offer a range of workshops for AAC users themed around personal and social development.

This provides us with the opportunity to work with key partners and AAC users in Northern Ireland to help gather valuable feedback and insights in preparation for a larger funding application, as well as shared learning and social opportunities. We have delivered the first two workshops and already we’ve had some really enjoyable sessions and lots of information to help inform our next steps. The themes of the workshops include: Managing Social Relationships, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Understanding Mentoring, and Developing Self, with the added aim of building confidence in using communication devices.

Our overall aim across the UK is to work in partnership with local voluntary sector organisations and/or schools/colleges, and focus on the learning and development for AAC users based on mentoring and peer support.

We would like to offer similar projects in Wales and Scotland so please feel free to contact Verity Elliott for more information and support: [email protected] / 07891959048.

October 2022

Awards for All Northern Ireland – End of Project Report

Communication Matters partnered with Mae Murray Foundation who are based in Northern Ireland. National Lottery Northern Ireland provided an Awards for All grant to support seven AAC users to complete an Entry Level 3 Award in Personal & Social Development.

Four workshops run by Creativity in Practice Ltd were held in Belfast on Saturdays between May and October 2022. The workshops were based on themes and topics for each of the units within the qualification. We are delighted that all seven learners achieved the qualification.

It is evident that the sessions were not only enjoyable, with the much longed for face-to-face interaction, but that they provided participants with the opportunity to:

  • Increase the use of their communication device
  • Develop literacy skills and vocabulary
  • Meet and work together
  • Gain confidence

Read the full report, including feedback from the participants and others, here: Download PDF.