Minister of Health, Robbie Butler, Visits Orchardville

Minister Robbie Butler hears first-hand how Orchardville is helping people build skills, independence and pathways to employment

Health Minister Robbie Butler has visited Orchardville in Belfast to meet participants and staff and learn more about the charity’s work supporting people with learning disabilities and autism.

During the visit, Minister Butler spent time with people supported by Orchardville’s Belfast services and heard first-hand about their experiences, achievements and aspirations for the future.

The Minister also met frontline staff and Orchardville’s senior team and learned about the range of support the charity provides – from day opportunities and independent living skills to training, work experience and pathways into employment.

The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate how person-centred support can help people with learning disabilities and autism build confidence, develop practical and employability skills, become more independent and play an active role in their communities.

Health Minister Robbie Butler said:

 “I fully acknowledge and recognise the important role that Orchardville play in continuing to be a key delivery partner across Health and Social Care.  Orchardville have made a significant contribution in supporting people to develop skills, build confidence and live meaningful lives within their communities, with a particular focus on enabling people to fulfil their employment aspirations. Today I was able to see at first-hand what can be achieved when individuals receive the right, person-centred support, and when government, employers, the voluntary and community sector, families and other partners work together.”

Lydia Lynas, Acting Chief Executive of Orchardville, said:

“We were delighted to welcome Health Minister Robbie Butler to Orchardville in Belfast and to give him the opportunity to meet some of the people at the heart of our organisation.

“Our work is about much more than delivering services. It is about creating opportunities and supporting people with learning disabilities and autism to have greater choice, independence and ambition for their future.

“For some people that may mean developing everyday life skills and becoming more active in their community. For others, it is about gaining qualifications, accessing work experience and progressing towards meaningful employment. The important thing is that people have the right support and the opportunity to choose the pathway that is right for them.

“The visit also gave us an important opportunity to highlight the expertise and commitment of our staff. Delivering high-quality, person-centred support requires skilled and dedicated people, and continued investment in both our workforce and the services they deliver is essential if we are to meet the needs and aspirations of people with learning disabilities and autism.

“We were particularly pleased that the Minister was able to hear directly from our participants today. Their voices and experiences should always be at the centre of conversations about the future of services.”

Orchardville supports people with learning disabilities and autism across Northern Ireland, helping people to live, learn and work.

Through its programmes, participants are supported to develop practical and social skills, build confidence and independence, access training and work experience, and explore opportunities for employment.

The charity works closely with individuals, families, employers and partner organisations to create opportunities that enable people with learning disabilities and autism to participate fully in their communities and achieve their individual goals.