Bolster Community – a leading not-for-profit organisation supporting individuals and families across Northern Ireland – is bringing its latest programme ‘Layered Lives’ to Armagh this autumn.
Beginning the week of October 20, at Dobbin Street Community Centre, this free six-week course is designed for neurodiverse women, aged 16–30, who want to explore and strengthen their relationships.
Over six in-person sessions, Layered Lives participants will come together in a safe supportive space to discuss many relationship topics including identifying healthy and unhealthy relationship patterns; recognising red flags and signs of manipulation or control; building and asserting personal boundaries; staying safe in online and offline environments (including a digital safety workshop with leading experts) and reflecting on lived experiences and connecting with others in a judgment-free space.
Programme facilitator, Tracy McCartney from Bolster Community, has delivered the Layered Lives pilot course in Newry and recognises the unique challenges neurodiverse women often face in forming and maintaining safe, healthy relationships.
She explained: “The Layered Lives programme directly addresses these challenges by equipping participants with the knowledge, tools and confidence to navigate a range of relationship dynamics – from friendships and family relationships to romantic partnerships and online connections.
“We know this programme has the potential to help so many young women and we would love to encourage anyone interested in joining our programme to reach out.”
For many young women, programmes like Layered Lives offer a lifeline.
Katie (26), who took part in the Newry Layered Lives programme, said: “As someone who’s autistic and has often struggled to understand social cues and boundaries, the course has helped me feel more confident in my relationships and recognise what is okay, and what’s not okay.
“In the past I have struggled to find my voice, but now I think I am better equipped to communicate my needs more clearly. It was also encouraging to be in a space where I didn’t have to explain or apologise for being different.”
The programme supports the goals of the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) – a Northern Ireland-wide initiative aimed at tackling all forms of gender-based violence by addressing its root causes and promoting prevention, early intervention, and long-term cultural change.
Layered Lives is open to neurodiverse women aged 16–30 and completely free to attend. The programme will run for six weeks starting w/c October 20, and each session will last for two hours.
Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Please call Tracy or Sharon at Bolster Community on 028 3083 35764 or email: info@bolstercommunity.org.
