top of page

About Us

​

Creating spaces where young people with additional needs can connect, learn, and belong.

​

At All About Us – ASD Teens, we’re building brighter futures for young people with additional needs across Northern Ireland. Through social, recreational, and educational programmes, we help autistic teens and young adults develop confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships, while supporting their families every step of the way.

​

Understanding Autism

Autism affects around 1 in 20 people in the UK meaning every classroom, workplace, and community includes autistic individuals. Each person’s experience is unique: how they communicate, connect, and experience the world around them.

At All About Us – ASD Teens, we believe difference should be celebrated, not hidden. Our mission is to build a community where every young person feels understood, supported, and empowered to thrive — not just to fit in.

We champion inclusion by providing opportunities to learn, grow, and belong. Because when we make space for everyone, the whole community becomes stronger.

​

What We Offer

We provide social, recreational, and educational opportunities tailored to the individual interests and needs of our young people. Every session is shaped by their voices, strengths, and goals.

Our services include:

  • Weekly Activity Sessions for children, teens, and young adults which includes creative arts, cooking, games, and life skills.

  • ASDAN Accredited Programmes in Personal Development and Independent Living, helping young people build confidence and practical skills.

  • One-to-One Support for newly diagnosed families, offering advice on communication, emotional regulation, and creating structure at home.

  • Outreach Sessions delivered across Northern Ireland, widening access for families in isolated or rural areas.

  • The Pop In Café is coming soon, its our our social enterprise project providing supported training and work placements in a friendly, inclusive environment.

Our approach is flexible, person-centred, and strengths-based, helping each young person move toward greater independence, wellbeing, and belonging.

 

Our Story

All About Us – ASD Teens began with a simple idea: to create a space where young people with additional needs could feel safe, accepted, and part of something bigger.

Founded in Antrim by Christina O’Neill, a mum who saw the need firsthand, the project started as a few local sessions and quickly grew into a thriving community hub.
What began around a kitchen table has evolved into a registered charity (NIC107426) recognised across Northern Ireland for its inclusive, empowering approach.

Our story is one of lived experience, resilience, and hope. We’ve built a place where families can find support, young people can make friends, and everyone can feel seen for who they are and not their label.

 

Our Impact

We don’t just see change, we measure it. Our Social Value Report captures the real difference All About Us makes every day.

Highlights include:

  • Noticeable increases in emotional wellbeing, confidence, and communication skills among young participants.

  • Improved family wellbeing through access to advice, strategies, and peer support.

  • Stronger community connections via partnerships with local agencies, schools, and services.

  • A proven social return on investment, demonstrating that every pound spent brings meaningful impact.

Behind every statistic are real stories — of friendships formed, barriers overcome, and futures brightened. Our data simply confirms what we see in every smile and success: inclusion works.

 

Awards & Recognition

We’re proud to have our work recognised at both local and national levels:

  • King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for voluntary groups 2024

  • Runner-up, Pride of Place Awards 2023

  • Mayor’s Charity of the Year 2025

  • Recognised partnerships with the Housing Executive, Social Services, PSNI, and CYPSP

These awards are a reflection of our community, our staff, volunteers, families, and young people — who bring passion and purpose to everything we do.

​

Our Amazing Team

Behind All About Us is a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who bring energy, empathy, and expertise to every session.

Our team includes:

  • Qualified support workers and youth leaders

  • Occupational therapy students providing tailored support

  • Creative facilitators and coordinators who design engaging, inclusive activities

Together, they create a safe, inspiring environment where young people can explore, achieve, and belong.
Our team isn’t just delivering programmes, they’re changing lives, one connection at a time.

A Final Word from Our Founder

“All About Us was born out of love, need, and belief — love for our young people, need for change, and belief that community can make it happen.
Every time a young person walks through our doors, we see potential — not limitation.
That’s what drives us every single day.”

— Christina O’Neill, Founder & CEO

We believe all everyone can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.

Our Mission

What our young people say about us:

"Through All About Us I have developed myself in many ways with the opportunities I have been provided, including different training opportunities and programmes that have helped me grow. I began at All About Us as a volunteer, where I had a role in helping the young people at our meetups by taking part in activities with them to help encourage participation. Through volunteering I was given training opportunities such as First Aid, Safeguarding, and various awareness courses such as Mental Health Awareness, Autism Awareness and ADHD Awareness. Alongside these courses I took part in Food Hygiene courses, where I was able to learn how to safely cook and handle food. This allowed me to take part in what was our Winter Warmers, now called Grub Club. This allowed me to interact with members of the community and get to know the people around me, alongside helping to improve anxiety. From these responsibilities I was given a part time job with All About Us, being given a wage to work at the Grub Club and help with various other activities around the club. This helped teach me more about the responsibilities and precautions a paid worker would have to go through in the workplace, greatly improving my knowledge of the world of work. This wage also helped me to become more independent, with how I handled my money becoming more relevant to my everyday life. Overall, working with All About Us has greatly improved my life in many different aspects including creating a safe workplace where I can learn and grow in a nurturing environment. I feel anyone could benefit from working within club with a wide variety of different opportunities for development in a multitude of different areas."


 

confidence.jpg

Ebony

I’m studying Level 3 health and social care and had to do 100 hours of work experience for this course. I heard of All About Us and from the very beginning when i joined, I felt welcomed and included by both the team and the families involved. The organisations inclusive approach was shown in everything they do, from the way activities were planned to the positive way they interacted with every young person and parent.
Throughout my time here, I had the opportunity to support and engage in a variety of activities, including sessions and a day out to Antrim castle. I saw firsthand how much thought and care goes into making every session meaningful and fun. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone and my placement here has been an incredibly positive experience.
Ebony

All_about_Us_logo_edited.png

Our Vision 

Every week, we bring together young people and the community for fun, friendship, and support.

 

Our meet-ups are open to those with a diagnosis of autism, those waiting for one, and their siblings and families, creating an inclusive space for everyone to feel welcome and understood.

Our Team

Meet your team of volunteers, a group that has been expanding rapidly. Comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, these dedicated people are instrumental in driving meaningful change. Our volunteers contribute immensely to our cause, and we continually welcome new members to join our rapidly expanding team. If you're interested in supporting our mission, please feel free to reach out to us via email or by filling out one of our forms.

Your Support is Crucial Right Now!

bottom of page