All About Us – ASD Teens is a registered charity established in 2018, supporting autistic children and young people and their families across Antrim and surrounding areas.
Its Y.E.L.L project supports autistic young people and those with additional needs to develop independence, employability skills and the confidence to make informed decisions about education, training and employment.
The project will support approximately 60 young people aged 8–24, including those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, mobility challenges and complex health conditions. Many experience barriers to education, employment and community participation, alongside social isolation, anxiety, disrupted learning and limited access to statutory support.
Y.E.L.L combines accredited learning with practical, real-world experience. Participants can take part in ASDAN-accredited programmes covering personal development, independent living and employability, alongside café-based training, supported work experience, volunteering and external work placements.
Peer mentoring, buddy systems and youth-led activities are also built into the programme, with family engagement and transition planning providing additional support.
The project will be delivered primarily in Antrim from the organisation’s main base and The Pop In community café, with outreach sessions in Ballymena and other community venues across South Antrim and Mid & East Antrim. This flexible approach helps reduce barriers for young people who may experience difficulties with travel, anxiety or accessing mainstream provision.
Y.E.L.L also works with organisations including USEL, Autism Adult Intervention Services, Triangle, Cedars and local businesses to provide wider opportunities and progression routes.
By combining recognised qualifications with practical experience, the project helps young people develop skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and problem-solving, while exploring their strengths, interests and potential career pathways.
“The Y.E.L.L programme supports young people to move from connection to confidence and independence creating pathways into education, training and employment. We are incredibly grateful to The James Kane Foundation for their support in making this possible and for investing in meaningful, long-term outcomes for young people and their families.” Christina O’Neill (CEO, All About Us)
The project supports The James Kane Foundation’s focus on enabling young people to make informed choices between education, training and employment. By providing structured support and opportunities to gain experience in real-world settings, Y.E.L.L aims to help participants build confidence and independence and make realistic decisions about their next steps.