Introducing Fred!
Young people from “All About Us” youth club in Antrim unveiled Fred, their new mascot to promote the organisation’s themes of inclusion and belonging.
The project in Antrim supports young people with ASD. They offer training opportunities, 1-to-1 support and workshops.
Autism affects around 1 in 20 people in the UK meaning every classroom and workplace and community includes autistic individuals. Each person’s experience is unique; how they communicate, connect and experience the world around them. Young adults at the youth club came up with a project to find a mascot they could identify with. Fred is a mascot designed by young people, for young people.
”Our Mascot, Our Voice” was a project started through the realisation that we as a group didn’t have something that represented our young people. The young people now have Fred, a character that represents them and who unites them. Fred is now taking pride of place in the centre and in their programmes. A special thank you to all the people and organisations who have helped us breathe life into Fred, especially RADIUS, Clanmill and Triangle Housing Associations who have joined forced to fund our new Fred costume."
"We are thrilled to be part of this amazing project that puts creativity, confidence, and young people at the heart of everything! It’s been a joy to see their ideas take shape and grow with every session. Radius, Clanmil and Triangle Housing are proud to support such talent, teamwork and totally brilliant mascot magic!"
The Our Voice Our Mascot Programme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.
The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A potential £9.7 Million has been invested in the Riverside, Belfast Road and Deerpark Hotel Shared Housing Developments in Antrim and associated five-year Good Relations Plans.