Cedar Foundation

21/10/2026

Come and Join us tomorrow in Banbridge. Our Skills Connect team will be at the Banbridge Leisure Centre tomorrow from 10:30am – 1:00pm, answering your questions and providing information on our Skills Connect service. Pop in to have a chat with us about how we can support you!

If you have additional needs, such as physical disability, brain injury, and autism and you’re ready to start your pathway to employment, get in touch!

[email protected]

📍Banbridge Leisure Centre | 15 Downshire Place | Bandbridge| BT32 3JY
🗓️22nd October 2026
🕰️10:30am – 1:00pm

20/10/2026

Ready to get into the Christmas spirit? Want to craft some gifts that look good and do good? Get yourself a ticket to one of our Wonderful Christmas Workshops! You will create your very own festive wreath, decoration or garland 🎄🎁

Scan the QR code or visit the link in our bio to purchase a ticket. All proceeds go to our 85th Anniversary fund, as we raise vital funds to support the work we do here at Cedar, whilst celebrating 85 amazing years of Cedar.

Ticket prices are £45 and include all the tools and materials, light refreshments and a copy of our 85th Anniversary cookbook.

19/10/2026

Helen from our Inclusion Matters Programme, was invited to attend the Arts & Mental Health Partnership Programme event at Clifton House, Belfast. This was a great oppotunity to learn and discuss the positive impact of the 'Join the Dots’ project at the Arts and Mental Health Partnership. Twenty two organisations, funded by the Arts Council and the Baring Foundation, shared their experiences of facilitating this initiative. Helen was inspired by their amazing work, and the extensive discussion.

Huge thank-you to the Community Arts Partnership for inviting us to attend.

19/10/2026

Jim joined Cedar last year, through our Inclusion Matters Service, and he’s been creating beautiful works of art like this ever since. Thanks to support from Inclusion Matters and our Community Inclusion officer, Michele, Jim has been attending art classes, hosted by Jigsaw at the Inverary Community Centre.

Since joining Inclusion Matters back in 2025, Jim has developed his skills, made new friends, and is becoming even more confident and independent. He hopes to continue with his artwork at home, now that he’s got all of the materials and equipment. Jim hopes to have his work displayed as part of an upcoming Jigsaw collection.

When asked about his experience with Inclusion Matters, Jim said
“Michele has been a massive help to me over the past while. Inclusion Matters has given me lots of opportunities to try out different things. Through Inclusion Matters I have attended not only the art class, but I have enjoyed meals out, attending the theatre, and going to L'Arche as a volunteer 2 days a week.
Joining Inclusion Matters was the best thing ever”.

Michele said that “It has been a pleasure to have Jim as a Service User on the Inclusion Matters programme. He has been fully committed from the word go. He has tried activities and has enjoyed working, thinking outside the box, to broaden his horizons.

16/10/2026

Come join us next week in Newry for a coffee and a catch up! We’re hosting a fantastic Coffee Morning at Confederation of Community Groups Ballybot House for some conversation over delicious buns and hot drinks. Join us as we raise vital funds to support the work we do here at Cedar, whilst celebrating 85 amazing years of Cedar! We can’t wait to see you there.

📍Conference Suite, Ballybot House, Newry

🗓️ Thursday 22nd October

⌚ 11am-1pm

If you have any questions or want to know about the invite, send Colette a message!

📧 [email protected]

15/10/2026

Our Skills Connect Team have launched new Level 1 qualifications in the green economy, developed in partnership with Action Renewables and OCN NI.

The Introduction to Green Careers and Introduction to Climate Change qualifications aim to make green skills and future employment opportunities more accessible, particularly for disabled people who may face barriers to training and work. The qualifications are now available through CCEA to training organisations across Northern Ireland.

By working together, we’re helping more people build confidence, develop new skills and explore opportunities in a growing sector.

A big thank you to Action Renewables and OCN NI for helping make this happen!

For full details visit our website via the link:

https://ow.ly/IzBR50ZXYNb



Skills Connect is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Action Renewables Open College Network Northern Ireland


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Our Skills Connect team hosted partners in their Balmoral Resource Training Centre, Belfast to launch a brand-new Level 1 Green Economy Qualification to improve access to employment, confidence building and skills development. Skills Connect is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Spec...

14/10/2026

Woodcraft painting workshop for the Arrow group in Armagh 🪵✨🎨

Recently, Service Users from our Arrow group in Armagh have been busy painting wooden crafts. Everyone got to choose their own colours and create personalised designs for each piece of Craft, with an individual style and flair. Whilst we got busy with painting, the group listened to relaxing music throughout to facilitate mindfulness. Service Users really enjoyed this workshop and are looking forward taking home their final piece once they're all varnished!

ARROW is a service supporting people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. We provide practical support, develop social skills and connections in their community by attending our local community groups.
To find out more, visit the link in our bio or visit:

🔗 https://www.cedar-foundation.org/arrow

13/10/2026

Joels Success @ Cedar with Workable (NI)

Joel has been working with our team through the Workable (NI) programme here at Cedar and has had a fantastic experience which we’re delighted to share.

“I have been working with Danni, my Employment Support Officer from Cedar’s Workable (NI) programme, to support me in my current work role to find the independence that a young adult with a disability needs.

I would recommend this service to anyone”

Joel share that the staff have been a huge support and they “will meet you wherever you stand, one on one to grasp a better understanding of your work and your relationship with it ... they are also very easy to talk to, patient and empathetic”

Employment Support Officer Danni Convery was able to support Joel throughout changes in employer and assisted in “day-to-day goals and struggles. Danni and Cedar’s Workable (NI) programme hold professional standards; they are also very easy to talk to, patient and empathetic”

Joel also highlights that here at Cedar, we offer a wide variety of services for people with a disability; “For anyone with a disability of any kind, who is struggling to find work. For anyone who is in work and is struggling because of their disability in terms of work or lack of communication with employers. And lastly, but most importantly, for anyone who is struggling with a disability in general. They should highly consider The Cedar Foundation”

Workable (NI) is available across Northern Ireland and is designed to help you in employment and can help if you are at risk of losing your job as a result of disability or a health condition. You can access the Workable (NI) programme if you wish to work, or are working more than 10 hours per week.

Workable (NI) is available to you if you're aged over 16 with a disability or other health conditions and you want to progress into or stay in employment.

Scan the QR code to learn more about our Workable (NI) service!

12/10/2026

Engaging in a fun social night at the Cedar Office, young people on the Transitions programme from across the Belfast and Southeastern Trusts got together to compete in a fun quiz night. The teams completed 10 rounds to battle for first place. Team Slay did exactly that by winning with an impressive 87 points, followed closely by Team Cedar with 79 points. Well done everyone!

Our Transitions service supports young disabled people to explore options and next steps as a school leaver. The service offers specialist support to individuals so that they can make decisions about their future and personal development goals with confidence. The service supports young people and their families during this transitional period.

Support and activities include:

One-to-one support to explore post school options

Support with application forms, travel options and student finance

Personal development programmes to support independence and wellbeing, coping with exam stress, time management, resilience, and confidence

Social and community opportunities

For more information on our Transitions Service, scan the QR code or visit:

🔗 https://www.cedar-foundation.org/transitions-services

12/10/2026

Right Support, Right Time Project, is an advocacy project offering personalised support to help people manage challenges they are facing in their daily lives and promote their mental wellbeing. This is available to anyone age 18+

As part of our service, we hold wellbeing information sessions, see attached details of our upcoming Calming Skills Workshop being held online (Zoom) on Wednesday 28th October 2026 from 10.00am to 12.00pm.

To register they call 028 9046 1834 or email [email protected]

Please feel free to share with others.

The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

https://www.seupb.eu/

Right Support Right Time is delivered by a partnership of seven trusted organisations. Inspire Wellbeing is the lead partner.