OUR PEOPLE
Our stories!
Stefan
“Everything is amazing and I enjoy coming here. Gets me out and about meeting new people and I’m more interested with activities within Base. I’ve been with Can for about 6 years. I got a job after being at WE CAN and learning skills to get me into work. Base is good too. It’s fantastic coming and its enjoyable. I’ve participated in Compass and went to London to see Terri Wogan and went to Stormont with everyone. I’m also apart of Best Buddies where I’ve taken part in a lot of activities. Best Buddies holidays have to be my favourite. I love the adventure and traveling with everyone.
I’m really into video games, music and eating (haha). I’m into RPG Racing games and Diablo – its pretty amazing. I’m really good at my racing games I’m really into EDM and House music and tend to play it in base to share with everyone. I think if you are interested in joining CAN there’s plenty to do here and you’ll make so many new friends.”
Philip
“I make new friends and its great craic. I meet up with friends and go for coffee. I love going on trips out… I find it exciting. I like making stuff and having new people coming in – like the Easter eggs we made with North Coast Chocolates.”
Amy
“I enjoy coming to Base to be with my friends and also visiting the other Bases. I enjoy when we go for walks and day trip activities on the train to go shopping. I’m also apart of Best Buddies and take part in some of the activities like Room to Race which was amazing fun. I get to pretend race car driving. I love everything about Base. It’s amazing!”
Megan
I think the people here are really friendly and I love the activities to do with arts and crafts. I also really enjoy the day trips out to places like Portrush to explore. Staff are friendly and helpful. I’ve been apart of Base for around 2 years I think and We Can for about a year. I’ve not had the chance yet to participate in many activities but I’m hoping to in the future. If someone wants to join CAN I would tell them it’s fun here and they’d definitely have a good time.”
Caolan
“It’s good to meet up with friends and have good banter. We are one big family. It’s so exciting meeting new people. I also work in We Can which is amazing and I’ve learnt a lot of working skills. Base has helped me a lot with my mental health and I’m in a better place. I’ve become stronger and more confident since attending Base it has helped me bounce back to my best self. I used to be really shy before I came here but I’ve blossomed so much. I worried I wouldn’t fit in but I’ve made so many friends.”
Carmel
“I enjoy coming to Base…it gets me out of the house. I love going on some of the trips out especially shopping up in Ballymoney. I attended the Valentines disco that was organised by CAN and I had the best time there. I like being able to relax in Base and do word searches.”
Clint
“Base is good fun I enjoy coming to Base to hang out with friends and having good craic and banter. I enjoy the trips out with the Base out shopping. I enjoy socialising with everyone. Getting out of the house really helps my anxiety. BASE feels like family as well as working next door (in We CAN) and being apart of a team.”
Mark
“I go to the Can CAN Bazaar shop to visit my friend Megan. I really like the staff here and volunteers they help me out a lot. Going to Base helps me a lot. I like seeing Tori. It was a super amazing experience meeting Robin Swan at the farm as I’m really into my politics. I love coming in and talking to people and playing pool with friends. I like when Janet brings the Board members in to visit.”
David
“I love coming to Base to see the staff and my friends to have a bit of fun. I love coming in to see Tori. I enjoy myself in here. I like coming in to see Tasha. I like all the staff hanging out and talking with us all. I enjoy all the activities in base. I’ve grown more confident and outgoing and I always look forward to coming to Base.”
Fintan
“Base is good craic. I love going on trips with Best Buddies. I love having movie days in Base and the exciting trips out like our trip to Belfast. Base has helped me in so many ways… it has got me out a lot more and socialising and has helped me become confident. The staff take good care of me and takes us on trips away which is a wonderful experience. I have lots of fun here with all the staff and other members, lots of fun with everyone. I’m also a trainee in We Can which is great craic and I’ve learnt work skills like using the baler.”
Claire
“I have a good relationship with staff. I like making friends in base. I love going on all the Best Buddies holidays, the most recent being the Dublin trip. We did a wee bit of shopping and attended Dublin zoo it was fantastic. I would definitely go again.”
Joel
“Meeting new friends and going on trips and staff is good. Getting out of the house helps me a lot. I feel good and happy at base. I really enjoy the activities and trips through Best Buddies. I love when we are taken out for football.”
Emily
“I like meeting new people and going out and hanging with all 3 bases. I really enjoy the CAN parties and inter-base activities. Base has helped me express myself more and be myself. I’m also apart of Best Buddies and have been on trips with them many times.”
Chrissy
“I like Base it’s a good laugh. The staff here are great as well. I’m apart of Best Buddies. My fav activities would be when we go to Score… I’m a massive football fan and support United. I also used to be a trainee in WE CAN where I learnt a lot of skill and now work for CB Fuels.”
Trevor
“Before I started at WE CAN I was bored just at home all of the time.
I have learned lots of new skills and I really enjoy it. I do jobs such as baling cardboard and helping with collections and deliveries out in the van. My confidence is also much better.
I had the opportunity to take part in some Job Sampling through WE CAN and I was nervous about starting somewhere new but the staff at Maine Soft Drinks were so helpful. I am delighted to now be working there as a Factory Worker. I get on well with the people I work with and I like to be kept busy. The job I do is loading the crates onto the conveyor belt. Starting at WE CAN has really changed my life.
Through WE CAN I am also now part of Best Buddies which has been great to meet new people and get out and about for things like trips to the cinema.”
Liam
Liam started on the project after leaving school as he was keen to progress to employment. He trained through working in the social enterprises, learning workplace skills such as Health and Safety, Manual Handling and also building on his communication, confidence and team working skills. He also completed qualifications accredited through ASDAN in Time Management, Work Awareness and CV building.
Clare (Senior Skills Trainer) organised a job sample for Liam in the office of the local Grammar school. She explained “Liam has been a pleasure to work with, his motivation and desire for paid work always shone through. Liam was very keen and quick to learn new skills. I knew the job role was very suitable as he can work independently and has a good attention for detail.
Liam stated “during my induction, Clare worked alongside me and supported me on the job. It took a while for me to understand and feel confident in using the photocopier as it was so different to what I had ever used before. With Clare’s help I grew in confidence and I was delighted to be offered the part-time position.”
The WE CAN project provides training and qualifications for adults with learning disabilities, mental health and autism and is funded by ESF, Dfe and NHSCT.
Liam has been employed over 6 months.