Cedar Foundation

Cedar Foundation Supporting individuals and families living with disability, autism and brain injury to live the lives they choose.

Visit our website for more information on support and services:
www.cedar-foundation.org Cedar has been supporting individuals and families living with disability, autism and brain injury across Northern Ireland since 1941. We support over 2500 people every year and have a wide range of services including support for children and young people, community inclusion, employment, accommodation and home based support - all focused working towards an inclusive society for all.

For Learning Disability Week, we're celebrated our service users, some of whom visited Pure Gym Newry recently, as part ...
18/06/2026

For Learning Disability Week, we're celebrated our service users, some of whom visited Pure Gym Newry recently, as part of their personal development.

The session was designed especially by Pure Gym for the group members, and delivered at a pace to suit their individual needs.

Sean, Mel and Aidan all took part in some energetic sessions. Everyone said they had a great time and would like to go again!

As it's Learning Disability Week, we wanted to share what some of our young service users have been up to throughout the...
17/06/2026

As it's Learning Disability Week, we wanted to share what some of our young service users have been up to throughout the first six months of 2026.

The young people accessing our Short Breaks Services within the Belfast and South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust have had a busy and active time in recent months. Since the start of the year, they've visited Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Streamvale Farm, met the ducks at the Waterworks in Belfast, played football, attended arts and crafts activities, enjoyed nature walk and much more!

17/06/2026

For Learning Disability Week, we're sharing the stories of some of our service users who have moved towards employment and thriving in their communities. Our service user Siofra has benefitted from a 2-days-a-week placement with Niamh Hanratty, owner of Iconic Accessories in Warrenpoint.

In the video below, Siofra shares her journey both with Cedar and with her current employers. Congratulations Siofra!

What a wonderful experience for one of our service users at Q Radio.For Learning Disability Week 2026, we wanted to high...
15/06/2026

What a wonderful experience for one of our service users at Q Radio.

For Learning Disability Week 2026, we wanted to highlight some of the recent activities from our service users across Northern Ireland!

Last week, one service user from the Southern Trust, Sean Gordon, got the opportunity to travel to Q Radio offices to meet the one and only Ibe Sesay! Sean had joined the group in March 2026, and talked frequently of his dream of meeting Ibe and going to Q Radio.

Travelling with a group of others, and with Caoimhe Murray his Case Officer, Sean met with Ibe in the heart of the Q Radio studios. He was introduced to everyone in the station, including presenters Yaz and Jordan, Jim from the News Team, Carl who manages the Sound Team, and Errol who overseas production. Ibe also gave everyone a tour of the studios and taught the group presenting skills.

Speaking about his experience, Sean said:

"I had the best day and I loved everything."

Caoimhe added: "It truly was a fantastic afternoon, and the group gained so much from the visit. Having the opportunity to see the studio, meet the teams involved in every aspect of the show, and learn more about how everything comes together was incredibly valuable to our group. The time Ibe spent with the group, answering their many questions and making everyone feel so welcome, went far beyond anything we had expected. And to top it all off, the shout-out on-air by Ibe was such a lovely surprise and meant a great deal to everyone."

Now, Sean is planning another trip back to Q radio with Ibe. The group are planning to build on the skills and confidence they developed from this trip, and planning even more trips down the line.



To mark Brain Injury Awareness Week last month, our Arrow project hosted a fun-filled tea party, Coming together and foc...
12/06/2026

To mark Brain Injury Awareness Week last month, our Arrow project hosted a fun-filled tea party, Coming together and focusing on the ABI week theme of ‘Isolation as a result of brain injury’. The group come together every week to enjoy a cuppa and chat over activities and this week, they also got to enjoy a private performance from local musician Paul Cassidy.

One of services users “Really enjoyed it” and had “great fun with the music and getting up for a wee dance.”

These weekly Arrow group meetups are fundamental to the work we do here at Cedar, where residents with acquired brain injury have the opportunity to get creative with arts and crafts, take part in mindfulness exercises, and the chance to hear from external agencies with talks and presentations. Another of our service users wanted to thank the team in particular,

“It was brilliant, so lucky to have Sinead, Danielle and Emma”, pictured in the final slide!



-

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

Last month, we joined Belfast Met for their Careers and Transitions Event, meeting with Supported Learning students to d...
11/06/2026

Last month, we joined Belfast Met for their Careers and Transitions Event, meeting with Supported Learning students to discuss their next steps after finishing further education in June 2026. We collaborated with a variety of services from across The Cedar Foundation, inviting stakeholders to recruit and engage participants as they prepare to enter employment, further education and beyond.

Present on the day were Leanne Green, our SkillSET Employment Officer and Melissa Nugent, Employer Liaison Officer for Skills Connect, who had a fantastic time speaking with students about how we can support them, their future goals, and what opportunities are available.
A huge thank you to Belfast Met for hosting this event and inviting us to such a positive and engaging time.
-
Our employment and training service, SkillSET, supports individuals in identifying and securing employment by offering specialised employment training and mentoring that enhance skills and lead to sustainable employment. We assist job-ready individuals who need support to secure employment.

To find out more you can get in touch with your local Cedar SkillSET service email us at [email protected]
-
Skills Connect provides person-centred support to empower individuals with disability, autism or brain injury. The programme aims to overcome barriers to employment through skills-based training, accredited vocational qualifications, and the development of meaningful career pathways.

Skills Connect is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). https://www.seupb.eu/

The programme is delivered by Cedar in partnership with the NOW Group, OCN NI, Ulster University and the Dundalk Institute of Technology. Skills Connect supports people with additional needs, such as physical disability, brain injury and autism. If you live in Antrim, Down and Armagh in NI or Monaghan, Cavan and Louth, get in contact with us today:

[email protected]

We want to congratulate our staff who are shortlisted for awards at The National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards...
10/06/2026

We want to congratulate our staff who are shortlisted for awards at The National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards this evening!

It is such a testament to all the hard work our staff have put in throughout this year.

Good luck all!

https://www.nationalldawards.co.uk/

Gavin’s story is a fantastic example of how, with personalised support through our Skills Connect programme, service use...
09/06/2026

Gavin’s story is a fantastic example of how, with personalised support through our Skills Connect programme, service users can achieve great success. From progressing through post-graduate education, to running in the Belfast City Marathon, whilst raising awareness for The Cedar Foundation.

“I felt so proud to be running while wearing the Cedar logo as they have done so much for me”



To read the full story, scan the QR code or visit the link below: 👇
🔗 https://www.cedar-foundation.org/news/gavins-skills-connect-journey

Skills Connect provides person-centred support to empower individuals with disability, autism or brain injury. The programme aims to overcome barriers to employment through skills-based training, attainment of accredited vocational qualifications, and the development of meaningful career pathways.

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

https://www.seupb.eu/

The programme is delivered by Cedar in partnership with the NOW Group, OCN NI, Ulster University and the Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Inclusion Matters and Right4U service users in the Western area recently completed 'Activities 4 All' workshops funded b...
08/06/2026

Inclusion Matters and Right4U service users in the Western area recently completed 'Activities 4 All' workshops funded by Choice Housing. This 6-week block of inclusive arts and crafts activities were delivered in Fermanagh House and included willow weaving, creating bird feeders, sand art, crocheting, pottery and a fused glass activity creating suncatchers. Many individuals involved are continuing to develop the crafts skills learned through the programme such as crocheting and pottery. Huge thanks to all involved in this local community activity.
Choice Housing

We'd like to share a huge thank-you to the organisers of the 'We See You' event held at Theatre at the Mill, Mossley.The...
08/06/2026

We'd like to share a huge thank-you to the organisers of the 'We See You' event held at Theatre at the Mill, Mossley.

The event was hosted by Paul Clark MBE and guest speakers included: Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, Sasha Gillespie, Law Lecturer at Ulster University, and Alma White, founder of Caleb’s Cause.

'We See You' was an event organised by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council dedicated to parents and carers of children with disabilities and additional complex needs, recognising the vital role they play every day. The day provided an opportunity for parents and carers to access practical information, advice and emotional support from a range of services, including Cedar.

The panel spoke of their own personal experiences of being a parent of a child with additional needs, followed by a question-and-answer session. We were then treated to a fantastic performance from Hillcroft Schools Makaton Choir.

Address

1 Ravenhill Reach Close
Belfast
BT68RB

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cedar Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Cedar Foundation:

Shortcuts

Share

Category