“Ensuring sustainable employment opportunities for those in our community with autism and other learning difficulties is a top priority and I’m delighted to support NOW Group in its mission to achieve just that.”
These are the words of Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, who was speaking after visiting The Hive in Enniskillen, prior to its Open Day on Thursday 22nd February, where members of the public will be invited to learn more about NOW Group’s services.
An all-Ireland based social enterprise, NOW Group works alongside participants and local businesses to establish employment academies which offer training and support to those with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. The employment academies cover a plethora of sectors including hospitality, retail business, hairdressing, catering and ICT to name a few.
The organisation is also behind the successful JAM (Just A Minute) Card, a non-verbal method of communication that allows participants to signal that they require a moment of patience when accessing public services, which has reached almost 200,000 users across the country.
The Hive’s Open Day is an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the NOW Group’s mission as well as meeting the local team.
Speaking about the NOW Group, Councillor O’Reilly added:
“Since its inception, the NOW Group has been providing vital services to participants and their families in the Fermanagh and Omagh area.
“Through its employment academies, NOW Group not only enriches the lives of young people, but it also adds to the social value of many businesses in the community, which benefits all parties.
“Having had the opportunity to meet the team and some of their inspiring participants, I’m looking forward to seeing how The Hive – and the NOW Group – continues to evolve over the months and years to come.
“The Council also appreciates the support and advice received from the NOW Group through their involvement with our Access Advisory Group and Access Inclusion Programmes.”
Speaking about the Open Day, Aisling O’Doherty, Community Development Manager at NOW Group added: “We were so pleased to welcome Councillor O’Reilly to The Hive for a behind-the-scenes tour of our special premises, ahead of our Open Day on Thursday when we will welcome new faces to find out more about the services we provide.
“At NOW Group, our mission is to ensure that people with autism and learning difficulties don’t get left behind. Our employment academies are designed to meet the needs of employers and participants alike, responding to the challenges businesses face and solving them by presenting a pool of highly trained staff who are eager to work. We also deliver community day opportunities that develop confidence and promote independence, which can be life changing for our participants.
“I have no doubt that the future will be very bright for NOW Group participants throughout the Fermanagh and Omagh area.”
There are various opportunities to work and volunteer with the team at NOW Group Enniskillen. To find out more or learn how they might help you or someone you know, visit the website: www.nowgroup.org