Organised by Positive FuturesWe're entering a runner and a staff relay team for the Belfast Marathon, and individuals into the associated 8 mile walk, to raise funds to help us transform the lives of people with a learning disability. Please support us and donate.
Belfast Marathon 2025 · 4 May 2025 ·
Closes 31/05/2025
Positive Futures continues to maintain and grow the support it offers people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury, or autism in the face of tightening government health spending and challenging staff recruitment. That's why your donation will make a real difference in enabling us to maintain the support we provide to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Our aim, at the outset, was to provide tailored support to people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury, or autism. 30 years on and we now support hundreds of people and their families across Northern Ireland through a range of innovative services and projects including Supported Living Services, Shared Lives Services, Residential Short Breaks and Family Support Services (Children and young people).
Before he was supported by Positive Futures, Graham was admitted to Muckamore Abbey Hospital for two weeks. He ended up staying for seven years.
Graham, who has autism and no verbal communication, was “like a bear in a cage” during his time at Muckamore, according to his mother, Ann.
When he moved to Positive Futures it was a wonderful transition. He was treated with respect and real love and care.
He started to laugh and smile, which we hadn't seen in many years. He had space in the garden - he was free.
Ann said he settled immediately. When asked by Positive Futures to help outline Graham's hopes and dreams because he does not communicate verbally, she suggested that he would like something that reminded him of the farm at home. We established a miniature “farm” in the garden, which included a vegetable patch, greenhouse and hen coop.
Ashley had spent almost two years in Muckamore Abbey Hospital, following the breakdown of her previous living arrangement, before moving to her own house in Belfast with round-the-clock support.
Months of preparation went into her departure from hospital. First, a house had to be found and renovated to create a comfortable home. This involved several organisations and agencies. Then, staff from Positive Futures spent time getting to know Ashley and her family in order that Ashely’s needs and wishes were at the centre of the planning and decision-making about this big change in her life.
On her first day in her new home, Ashley said she was “happy and glad.” She said she had chosen the décor herself: “I picked magnolia for the walls and chose my own bedroom furniture, duvet and curtains. I’m so excited. I feel I am more independent and I’m looking forward to inviting people over for a cup of tea or coffee.”
Our Chief Executive, Agnes Lunny, said of Ashley’s move:
Making all this happen is a real challenge, because it involves many agencies. It’s a complex set of relationships, processes and systems, and getting it right can be difficult. But as always, we focus on the person at the centre – in this case, Ashley.
Help make a difference to the people we support and their families.
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