Circles Northern Ireland

Wendy Buchanan – Project Coordinator

The Old Schoolhouse

Derryharney

Lisbellaw

Co Fermanagh

BT94 5HY 

Tel: 0286 638 5067

Fax: 02866 385067

Email: wendy.buchanan@circlesnetwork.org.uk

The CREDO Project was originally set up in Northern Ireland by Circles Network to support young people with profound and complex impairments in planning and looking forward to adult life.

The Project empowered teenagers by ensuring that they are always the focus person and in control of the planning process.

However, many disabled people of all ages showed a keen interest in our approach and asked us to support them.

What is different about our approach?

·         All our work is underpinned by a strong values base. We believe that each individual has the right to dream about, plan and create a desirable future.

·         Through our well developed approach we promote:

·         Social inclusion in ordinary community settings.

·         Opportunities for people to develop natural friendships and relationships.

·         Chances for people to learn and develop their skills.

·         Attitudes that value and celebrate difference.

·         Communication through the widest and most creative means.

·         The development of the whole person, taking into consideration health, relationships, home life, activities, purpose, risk, learning and creative expression.

Our current work in Northern Ireland celebrates the gifts of disabled people of all ages and highlights the positive contribution they can make to the community and showing that all people can live interdependently.

The Project will facilitate the setting up of a circle of support around the disabled person. The circle is made up of those people who are most important to the individual ie. family and friends. The circle, guided by the focus person and possibly their family, will identify where additional support is needed to ensure that the person has the opportunity to live a full life within their community.

By the use of person centred planning techniques, the principles of which are based on inclusion, the person and their family are empowered to dream and to make life choices with the support of those who love and care for them. Each person will develop their person centred plan with the assistance of the circle, and the project manager will support this process ensuring that they have access to opportunities and maintain control over their future.

The project has produced a video called Inclusion Matters which highlights some of the issues for disabled people and introduces the concept of person centred, community based approaches.

If you are interested in ordering a copy of Inclusion Matters, please click here.

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Last modified: February 05, 2008