Our Vision
Support & encourage learning, development and social engagement for our young people and their families and allow them take ownership of every programme we design and deliver to allow them take control of their every day experiences.
Our Mission
“Making a Change” mission is to be an all of life support system for young people with ASD and associated communication/social difficulties, by organising programmes of physical, educational and support to young people with ASD, their siblings, carers and family unit across the island of Ireland
Our History
“Making a Change” or MAC as our young people call us was founded in September 2012 by Jennifer Cumming. MAC works with young people on the autistic spectrum, their siblings, careers and family unit. We are based at Knockbarragh House in Rostrevor and offer various training courses and support programmes to people experiencing life with Autism. We recognise a real need for a continuum of education, training, employment and support for young people, initiating an early intervention approach from an early age.
Young people with Autism and other disabilities are often isolated and lonely and many have had very difficult experiences in school and in their local communities – bullying and rejection are very common experiences.
Mac aims to help these young people reach their personal aspiration, building confidence, motivation, self esteem, skills training and qualifications leading to employment and act as an “all of life” support network to these young people and their families.
Thank you for reading all about us. Please feel free to donate – “Every Penny Helps” simply email [email protected] and we will send you a paypal link.
My name is Jennifer, and I originally set up “Making a Change” in a response to loosing my dear friend Martine. Through Martine I first became aware of Autism and the impact it can have on families. She was an inspiration and is sadly missed.
Today I am pleased to work along side other Autism focused organisation to enhance the work we do and have a wonderful team of volunteers and young people who have taken ownership of our programmes and given life to my dreams for MAC. This work would be impossible to carry out without the help and selfless donation of their time and hard work from my right hand women, Cara and Emer, who themselves are parents of Autistic children and not forgetting our voluntary committee of parents, local business men & women and a wonderful retired special needs teachers. “Build it and they will come”
Charity Number: XT38545 Company Number: NI614604