Two mothers who took part in a groundbreaking project for children with a disability and their families in Fermanagh have spoken of the positive impact it has had on their lives and the lives of their families.

Brighter Futures – run by learning disability charity, Positive Futures, with the support of the National Lottery Community Fund – began in 2017.

The National Lottery funding is due to end this month and while there has been additional money found to keep it operating until next March, there is no prospect of future financial support from the health and social care system.

At the evaluation of the project in Fermanagh House last Friday, which was attended by health care professionals and politicians, the success of Brighter Futures was heard through the words of Emma Woods and Brigid Melarkey, as well as a presentation from Professor Roy McConkey of Ulster University.

Prof. McConkey’s report found that while the project cost £750,000 over five years, traditional social services support to children and families would have cost twice as much.

More importantly, the Brighter Futures project achieved better results and was able to reach children in isolated rural areas by delivering support in their own homes.

Prof. McConkey wrote: “The model developed in Fermanagh could, and should, be replicated in other areas of the Western Health and Social Care Trust and, indeed, across Northern Ireland.”

‘Hope’

Backing that up was the experiences of Emma and Brigid. Emma spoke of how Brighter Futures gave her “hope”.

“It’s a word that shouldn’t be underestimated because, without it, it’s very hard to face the future,” said Emma, who is the mother of Cillian (9), who has autism and a sensory-processing condition, and Bonnie (2).

“So, I just want to thank the kind and understanding staff, and what Brighter Futures have done for us.”

Before Brighter Futures came along, Emma felt her family were completely isolated, and it began to take a toll on her mental health.

“Then Brighter Futures came along. They got to know Cillian and built up his trust. They taught him to adapt to shops and not to run away. They showed him the importance of listening to what he’s being told.

“Most importantly, they did it in a very kind, understanding and caring way. After a while, he was able to go to the park, and summer camps.

“I’m not saying it was easy. It took a lot of patience on the part of the staff.”

However, with this support, Emma was able to do things everyone else takes for granted, and it has given her a much more positive outlook on life.

Brigid, and her son, Paul, who is autistic and non-verbal, also had the opportunity to avail of Brighter Futures a few years ago.

She spoke of how she has made friends for life, and even though she is no longer in the programme, there are ways she can still access support even though she has left the service.

“Paul achieved his own goals in the year we had with Brighter Futures.

“He learned to cope better in new environments, build tolerance to situations he couldn’t cope with before, and met new people along the way. Paul developed an understanding of routine, and would happily go off with the team.

“The best part of this for Paul and me was when Paul was happy and safe.”

Speaking about the service Brighter Futures provides, Brigid continued: “Brighter Futures’ approach is a realistic one.

“I never felt excluded, but more included with the parents’ work group, and the support for my son each week to get back into the community to just be a little boy.

“Children with ASD don’t get the same opportunities as children who don’t have a diagnosis, but with Brighter Futures, I felt my son did.

“Brighter Futures sees our parents for what we struggle with day in, and day out. They see parents who live with difficult situations every day and acknowledge these struggles.”

Both women acknowledged the support they received from Brighter Futures, and Emma, at the end of her speech, called on those who can, to support Brighter Futures with funding.

“And I want to say to the politicians and anyone who has any influence over this – it’s a vital service.

“There are many other families not just in Fermanagh but all over Northern Ireland who are crying out for this kind of support.”

Vindicated

Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive of Positive Futures, said the Ulster University report vindicated Brighter Futures and that it could “deliver an effective, innovative service more cost-effectively than traditional health and social care approaches”.

She continued: “It reinforces our belief that society needs to think differently about how it supports children with developmental disabilities and their families.

“Unfortunately, there’s no sign that the statutory health and social care sector will pick up the funding of this valuable service.”