July 30, 2026
Hawthorns Adult Centre in Carrickfergus is celebrating a remarkable moment in its history – 50 years of service to the learning disability community.
Since opening its doors in July 1976, the facility has paved the way by providing meaningful support, opportunities and friendship.
To mark its golden anniversary, a formal dinner took place in the town’s Civic Centre, supported by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Tom Gordon, followed by a disco in the Town Hall.
Attended by service users, families, and staff, the uplifting evening was an opportunity to reflect on the past five decades while looking forward to the next chapter.
Centre Manager Thomas Haighton said: “This year marks an incredible 50 years of Hawthorns supporting people with a learning disability.
“A lot has changed in those years, from how services are delivered to promoting inclusion, independence and giving people more choice and control over their lives.
“While we have embraced the change, one thing has never changed: our commitment to the people we support.
“We have come so far over the past 50 years, and we are really excited about what the future holds.”
While all of the service users are central to Hawthorns ongoing success, three individuals stand out for a very special reason.
Between them, Lauren, Julia and Roy have accumulated almost 150 years of attendance at the centre, with Lauren proudly holding the record as the longest-serving member of the Hawthorns family, having been there from the very beginning, 50 years ago.
She remembers feeling very nervous on her first day but soon settled in to become one of the centre’s most familiar faces. Over the years, she has developed many skills, with knitting becoming her favourite activity. Bus trips with friends, particularly to the Abbey Centre, are among her fondest memories.
Julia, who was just 17 when she first attended Hawthorns back then, had a similar feeling of apprehension in her early days.
“I remember feeling a bit scared,” she said.
Looking back now, she confidently says it has been an enjoyable 50 years which has left her with many happy memories, including recollections of the different staff she has met along the way.
Roy remembers walking through the door at Hawthorns for the first time in November 1977, and in his words, ‘things are quite different now’. Like Julia, he can recall a lot of the staff members from the early days and is grateful to Hawthorns for the opportunities it has provided through the years.
Speaking at the celebration event, Thomas echoed Roy’s sentiments: “When Hawthorns first opened, the world was very different. People with a learning disability were too often excluded or not listened to. Society has come a long way. Today, we talk about rights, choice, independence and inclusion. We celebrate what people can do, not what they cannot. We have made real progress, but we know there is still more to do.”
Thomas also took the opportunity to thank the many people who have contributed to the success of Hawthorns over the past 50 years, paying particular tribute to those who use the service.
He said: “The biggest thank you must go to the people who use our service. This is your celebration. You are the reason we are all here tonight.
“Thank you for your smiles, your laughter, your talents and your friendship. You remind us what really matters. Hawthorns is Hawthorns because of you.”