Celebrating 20 years of Day Opportunities in the Northern Trust
Achieving qualifications, going out to work or pursuing a hobby are all things many of us take for granted.
But for some people, including those with a learning disability, some aspects of life don’t come as easy.
Within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the Day Opportunities service supports adults with a learning disability to ensure they can live life to the fullest and achieve their true potential.
Over the past two decades, it has helped to transform many lives right across the Northern Trust locality and has consistently demonstrated the power of opportunity.
Defined as community-based day time activities which will engage service users in areas such as paid employment, accredited further and higher education, volunteering, and social enterprise activity, the service also supports friendship building, the use of sporting and recreational facilities and the pursuit of other interests.
As the service celebrates its 20th anniversary in the Northern Trust, we hope these personal stories from service users and carers will be as motivational and inspiring to you as they are to us.
Transforming lives through employment
Philip Waring and Jordan Cardy may be at different stages of life, but they have a lot in common thanks to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Day Opportunities programme.
Jordan is just beginning his working life after securing a job in McDonald’s in Coleraine, while Philip is looking forward to a much-deserved retirement after clocking up 25 years of service in the same fast-food franchise.
Their success stories help to illustrate the positive impact of Day Opportunities in the Northern Trust.
Philip: A career of dedication
Explaining more about Philip’s journey, Head of Service Garth Anderson said: “I first met Philip while I was working for Triangle Housing Association. At that time I could see that a vocational pathway would make a huge difference to him, and this led to the start of his career in McDonald’s in 1999.”
Philip’s journey towards independence involved significant life changes, and it was achieved thanks to a strong partnership with his family and wider support team.
He moved from Mountfern Adult Centre, a more structured and regulated environment, to Day Opportunities after it was first introduced in 2005. This change meant he needed to become more independent and learn to manage new demands including his own transport arrangements.
At the same time, he moved out of his family home into supported living accommodation.
The Day Opportunities programme built on Philip’s progress and, in partnership with Triangle, helped him with this major life transition.
Garth said: “Ultimately, this helped him to maintain meaningful employment for over two decades and his recent retirement party was a fantastic opportunity to recognise everything he has achieved over the past 25 years.
“Philip’s story exemplifies the effectiveness of the Day Opportunities programme, and how our partnerships with the voluntary and community sector, and other local stakeholders, are making a real difference.”
Jordan: A new chapter of success
Jordan’s journey showcases how Day Opportunities is empowering the next generation.
Since leaving school, he has been working hard to build his employability skills through Triangle’s Alternative Angles, a social enterprise focused on helping people develop essential skills for employment.
Transitioning from the more protective environment of school to the world of work can be challenging but Jordan has faced this head on, building his confidence and overcoming any anxieties with the help of his Day Opportunities Coordinator.
With their support, he participated in the McDonald’s Academy, a three-day Empower Programme led by Disability Action which included customer service training, employability skills, food hygiene, and interview preparation.
Jordan’s dedication and persistence paid off when he secured paid employment at McDonald’s after excelling at interview.
Reflecting on his success which his mum has called an ‘incredible milestone’, Jordan said: “I have finally done it—I’ve got myself paid work!”
Garth added: “Philip and Jordan’s stories remind us of the enduring impact of the Day Opportunities programme. We have one individual at the start of his retirement, and the other at the beginning of his career, with both reminding us of the importance of fostering independence and inclusion for all.
“From Philip’s first steps down his vocational pathway, I had a vision for a service like Day Opportunities and that helped to lay the foundation of what we’re celebrating now. Here’s to 20 years of progress—and many more to come!”
30th January 2025
