Ballymena conference brings autism carers together for practical support and wellbeing
Pictured (L–R): Kelly Kerr (NHSCT), Gillian Steele (NHSCT), Stephen McCartney (NRC) and Christopher Hillcox (EA).
Wednesday 28 October 2026
Parents and carers of autistic people gathered at Northern Regional College’s Ballymena campus for a conference aimed at making it easier for families to access support, plan for the future and look after their own wellbeing.
Held on Friday 23 October, the Supporting Autism Together conference brought education, healthcare and support professionals together with carers to share practical advice and help families navigate services that can often be difficult to understand.
The event was jointly organised by Northern Regional College, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Education Authority, with input from the Autism Carers Reference Group to ensure the programme reflected the experiences and priorities of local families.
It was the second conference delivered through the partnership, following an earlier event focused on progression through education. This year's programme expanded to address healthcare, financial assistance, future care arrangements and the challenges families can face when moving between services.
Helping families find the right support
Stephen McCartney, Head of Student Experience at Northern Regional College.
Stephen McCartney, Head of Student Experience at Northern Regional College, said bringing carers and professionals together was an important step towards improving access to information.
“Carers have a wealth of knowledge and experience, but finding the right information and knowing where to turn for support can still be challenging. Supporting Autism Together was about bringing people and organisations into the same room, making those connections and helping carers feel better informed and supported.
“The partnership between Northern Regional College, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Education Authority is central to that. By working together and listening to carers, we can build a better understanding of what families need and how our services can support them.”
The morning programme featured five workshops addressing different aspects of life for autistic people and those who care for them.
Sessions included:
• Planning for the future – Compassionate Communities explored future care considerations and the conversations families can have to help them prepare for changing circumstances.
• Carer and learning disability support – Claire Campbell and Kelly Kerr outlined resources available through the Carers Hub and Learning Disability services, including practical assistance, wellbeing support and opportunities to connect with other carers.
• Education and transitions – Representatives from the Education Authority, Castle Tower School and Northern Regional College discussed education pathways, independence, employment opportunities and lifelong learning.
• Accessing healthcare – The Learning Disability Nursing Service provided guidance on preparing for appointments, accessing healthcare and requesting reasonable adjustments.
• Financial assistance – Make the Call offered information about benefits, grants and other financial support that may be available to families.
The workshops were designed to help carers understand where to seek assistance and what support might be available as their family circumstances change.
Recognising the wellbeing of carers
Alongside practical information, the conference placed particular emphasis on the physical and emotional wellbeing of those providing care.
Following lunch and an opportunity to meet other families, delegates could participate in singing for wellbeing with Karen Diamond or mindfulness and stress management with Amanda-Jayne Brennan.
The afternoon concluded with a group sound bath session led by Emma Neill, providing an opportunity for relaxation after a day of discussions and workshops.
Mr McCartney said recognising the needs of carers themselves was a central part of the event.
“We also wanted to recognise that carers need time and support for themselves. When so much of your attention is focused on someone else’s needs, your own wellbeing can slip down the list. Making space to connect, recharge and invest in yourself was an important part of the day.”
Listening to families and their experiences
The Autism Carers Reference Group played a key role in shaping the conference, helping organisers identify the issues families wanted addressed.
Gillian Steele, Programme Delivery Officer for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, said this involvement helped ensure the event provided relevant information rather than simply outlining existing services.
“Working closely with the Autism Carers Reference Group helped us shape a programme around the questions and challenges that matter most to carers. Their involvement was vital in ensuring the day offered relevant, practical information alongside opportunities to share experiences and build connections.
“Navigating services can feel overwhelming, particularly when families are planning for the future or moving between different stages of support. Through this partnership, we wanted to make that information more accessible, while recognising that carers’ own health and wellbeing deserve attention and support too.”
Building connections across local services
For Northern Regional College, which supports autistic students and employs autistic staff, the conference also reflected the importance of cooperation between education, health and community services.
By bringing professionals and families together in Ballymena, the event provided an opportunity for carers to ask questions, learn about available assistance and connect with others facing similar experiences.
The conference also highlighted a wider challenge for families: accessing the right support can involve dealing with several different organisations, particularly when planning for adulthood, changing education settings or arranging future care.
While no further conference dates or new services were announced, the partnership's continued engagement with carers offers an opportunity to build on the concerns and priorities raised during the event, with the shared aim of making support easier for families to understand and access.
