A social enterprise that helps people with learning difficulties and autism get jobs has been awarded almost £57,000 to support families in Fermanagh and Tyrone.

The grant offered to the NOW Group from the Nationwide Community Grant will introduce a new Family Support Worker for the Western Trust area, marking the area’s first dedicated team member in the region.

Through the £56,805 grant, a Family Service West project will be launched to support the rural, vulnerable, and isolated communities of Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Bronagh O’Dwyer, community development manager at NOW Group, said: "This innovative project, Family Service West, will be delivered in the rural and remote area of Fermanagh and Tyrone and will aim to support up to 30 of society’s most vulnerable families to thrive in their own homes.

Impartial Reporter: The grant will introduce a new Family Support Worker for the Western Trust area, marking the

"Using learning from our project operating in the North East of Northern Ireland, we will challenge societal perception and prejudice against our parents and reduce the incidents of crisis interventions, with the aim of supporting parents to create safe and nurturing homes for themselves and their children."

Family Service West intends to help families where a parent has a neurodiverse condition, learning difficulty or disability, providing crucial help to expectant or new parents dealing with antenatal and postnatal services while strengthening their parenting skills.

Specific needs identified by each family will be addressed through tailored sessions at home and with the aid of core workers.

Ms. O'Dwyer added: "There is currently no similar project being delivered in this area of Northern Ireland.

“Thanks to the support of the Nationwide Community Grant, which will enable us to make a tangible difference in the lives of families throughout the Western Trust area and beyond.”