iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Good support planning is more than completing a form. People need time to think, accessible information, support from people they trust, and practitioners with the confidence and resources to explore real choices, not just fit people into existing services. bit.ly/4xsPgOo @impadultcare.bsky.social

impact.bham.ac.uk

Person-centred planning best practices within self-directed support

000

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Accessibility Awareness @a11yawareness.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

When using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, don't just make text bigger and bolder to make it a heading. That will work for sighted users, but screen reader users will miss that and just hear it as normal paragraph text. Use actual heading styles, like level 1 through 6.

15614

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Great presentation by Jillian Martin and Aiden McCullagh at today’s @niscc.bsky.social conference. They were talking about #SelfDirectedSupport, the Social Care Collaborative Board, the two @impadultcare.bsky.social SDS projects and the new SDS Network for NI @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social.

Lady with long blond hair standing doing a presentation at a conference. Behind her is a slide describing the work of the Social Care Collaborative ‘Citizens at the heart of care’

Man with short grey hair standing doing a presentation at a conference. Behind him is a slide describing the Managed Budgets project. It includes a photo of the TILII group of adults with learning disability who are experts by experience

020

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Want to know more about SDS Network NI? Lots of our @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social Steering group members at the @niscc.bsky.social conference today inc Aiden McCullagh and Jillian Martin (who are presenting), Deena Nimick, Susan Hughes, Suzanne McStravick and Agnes Lunny. Or pop along to our stand!

031

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Self-Directed Support (SDS) Network NI @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Jillian and Aiden are talking all things SDS today at the @niscc.bsky.social conference in Belfast: - work of the Social Care Collaborative Board - 2 IMPACT projects on Implementing Managed Budgets, and Making Supported Planning more outcomes focused - and of course our lovely SDS Network NI!

042

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Self-Directed Support (SDS) Network NI @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Are you at the @niscc.bsky.social Social Work and social Care Research in Practice conference in Belfast today? Pop along to our stand and say hi!

031

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Self-Directed Support (SDS) Network NI @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

SDS Network NI brings together people with lived experience, family carers, practitioners, providers, commissioners, policy colleagues and anyone committed to making SDS work better in practice. Find out more and sign up for FREE membership at selfdirectedsupport.org/hubs/norther...

selfdirectedsupport.org

SDS Network

Leading the global development of self-directed support

041

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Self-Directed Support (SDS) Network NI @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Come to our online launch event on 26th March 2pm-3pm and hear: • Dr Simon Duffy, focusing on global learning and core principles of SDS • Lived experience and carer perspectives demonstrating what is possible when budgets are used creatively • about our upcoming community of practice sessions

selfdirectedsupport.org

SDS Network

Leading the global development of self-directed support

031

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Self-Directed Support (SDS) Network NI @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Find out more about the Self-Directed Support (SDS) Network for Northern Ireland, register for free membership and our online launch event on 26th March at selfdirectedsupport.org/hubs/norther.... Please share! #SelfDirectedSupport #SDS #CommunityOfPractice #Disability #NorthernIreland #socialWork

042

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Self-Directed Support (SDS) Network NI @sdsnetworkni.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

SDS Network Northern Ireland is part of the global Self-Directed Support Network. Our network provides a space for people across NI to connect, learn and work together to develop self-directed support. Find out more and sign up for FREE membership at selfdirectedsupport.org/hubs/norther...

selfdirectedsupport.org

SDS Network

Leading the global development of self-directed support

052

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Bruce Springsteen @brucespringsteen.net · 28/01/2026

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

youtu.be

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

42569709340550

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT) @impadultcare.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

To explore our longlist and application process, and answer your questions, we're hosting briefing sessions on: Monday 15 September, 2pm Tuesday 30 September, 2pm Wednesday 15 October, 11am Register now to receive joining details: forms.office.com/e/9d7EzRA7fa

012

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT) @impadultcare.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

We're looking for organisations to host IMPACT projects in 2026-27 We're looking for sites of all sizes, from individual services to whole regions View the long list of possible topics here: impact.bham.ac.uk/contact-us-2...

012

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT) @impadultcare.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Last night, we welcomed lots of our new starters to Birmingham, as part of the 2025-26 induction It’s exciting to hear about the work that’s already happened, just a couple of weeks in to the project year, and reconnect with some of our colleagues who have been part of IMPACT for much longer

022

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Great training this morning on how to do person centered planning with Aiden, Louise and @arcni_teamTILII. All part of the @impadultcare.bsky.social Managed Budgets project @arcni @healthdpt #Coproduction

Three people doing a role play in front of an audience

Four adults (two men and two women) laughing at a joke.

A man standing at the front of a room giving a presentation. His presentation shows an image about who should be involved in supported planning processes

000

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Fergus Murray @oolong.co.uk · 18/09/2025

First up is Discovering You're Autistic, about the experience of realising you're autistic, and the things we've found most valuable for anyone starting out on that journay. Realising that there are many other people out there with similar experiences is so powerful. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eDv...

youtube.com

Discovering You're Autistic

YouTube video by Thriving Autistic

12613

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Fergus Murray @oolong.co.uk · 18/09/2025

The other animation is Lightbulb Moments: Being Autistic. So much about Autistic experience is still missing from most professional accounts, which have been formulated from the outside. Many people talk about all these little epiphanies: 'I thought it was just me!' www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O6h...

youtube.com

Lightbulb Moments: Being Autistic

YouTube video by Thriving Autistic

23814

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

The Psychologist @psychmag.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Neurodiverse defendants deserve a fairer chance in the Criminal Justice System. Dr Bernard Horsford, Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, calls for you to get involved in a study that seeks to drive change. www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...

bps.org.uk

Neurodiverse defendants deserve a fairer chance in the Criminal Justice System | BPS

Dr Bernard Horsford, Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, calls for you to get involved in a study that seeks to drive change.

083

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Autism: The International Journal of Research & Practice. @journalautism.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Our Special Issue on The Social Model in Autism Research is now available online & all articles are free until 11th September! journals.sagepub.com/toc/AUT/curr... Here are some of the brilliant things you can find in it... #AutismResearch #AutRes

journals.sagepub.com

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

32718

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Disability News Service @johnpring.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

“Building back better” rolled off the tongues of politicians during the pandemic, disabled campaigner tells #Covid inquiry. But all that's happened has been a 'huge rollback' of disability rights. www.disabilitynewsservice.com/covid-inquir...

disabilitynewsservice.com

Covid inquiry hears of ‘huge rollback’ in rights and support since pandemic

Disabled people have undergone a “huge rollback” in their rights and social security support since the pandemic, a disability rights campaigner and adviser has told the Covid inquiry. Despite polit…

04518

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit @hscwru.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

NEW Practitioners as researchers – experiences of four people working in hybrid roles in two local authorities and a university John Woolham et al www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

tandfonline.com

023

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Absolute pleasure to meet the Bangor @arcni_teamTILII group & hear them Telling It Like it is. Great discussion about how to do assessments, provide support & do reviews & how important choice is for living your best life. Thanks Lou for organising! @arcni.bsky.social @impadultcare.bsky.social

Group of ladies smiling at the camera - 4 are sitting and 2 are standing. They are in a large office

010

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 06/07/2025

Autistics aren't merely "sensitive" to sound; autistic tendencies also include "expanded access to auditory information, heightened perception to pitch, difficulties dealing with speech in background noise, and taking longer to adapt to auditory environments.": www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.com

Auditory environments influence the link between Autistic traits and quality of life - Scientific Reports

Scientific Reports - Auditory environments influence the link between Autistic traits and quality of life

1226185

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Another great session with the ARC TILII group in Belfast finding out what makes a good life & how to ensure assessments, support & review processes keep individuals with learning disability at the centre. Massive thanks to Lou & the awesome TILII members! @impadultcare.bsky.social #Coproduction

Members of the TILII group in Belfast standing and smiling at the camera

010

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Great morning with ARC NI team TILII finding out what it means to have a good life & what we need to be thinking about when we’re doing assessments, finding support & doing reviews. Big thank you to Louise from ARC NI & the team at Fresh Focus for all the help! #Coproduction #ImpactManagedBudgets

Group of around 16 adults looking at the camera and smiling. They are in a room that has pictures up of all the activities available in the centre

Group of around 16 adults looking at the camera and smiling. Some are sitting, some are standing and one is lying on the floor in front of the group doing a strong man pose flexing his bicep! They are in a room that has pictures up of all the activities available in the centre

110

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT) @impadultcare.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

We're looking for one representative from Northern Ireland who draws on care and support, and one unpaid carer representative from Wales to join IMPACT's Co-production Advisory Group. Find out more about the roles and apply here: buff.ly/7Kq2zhB

034

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT) @impadultcare.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Don't forget to register for our online briefing on IMPACT’s work in Northern Ireland! buff.ly/QgxJgdi 13 June 2025 10:00 - 11:00 Hear about IMPACT’s Delivery Models – in action across NI. Learn how evidence is transforming adult social care, explore how you can get involved & connected!

buff.ly

Fill | IMPACT Northern Ireland Briefing - 13 June, 10am-11am

Please register below if you would like to attend. Please save the date in your diary - you will receive a follow up email including further details closer to the event date with a joining link.

021

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

shauna @goldengateblond.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

eight years ago today we all watched the glory of zendaya falling madly in love with tom holland and the internet was never the same

433145153644

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Lovely morning in Stormont talking all things outcomes frameworks and strategy with Tiny Life. Fabulous setting and a great team

The large green lawn at the front of Stormont. On one side is the Stormont which is a large imposing white building with many large windows and columns. There are two robotic lawnmowers moving across the grass. The sky is cloudy

View from the balcony at the front of Stormont - in between two large pillars is the straight driveway to the road with large trees on either side - it is very grand. The sky is grey and cloudy

000

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Trisha Elliott @trishaelliott.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I was at a meeting today where we discussed equality, equity and justice. I was pleased to have this illustration from Tony Ruth easily to hand. #Equity #Equality #Justice #Diversity #Inequality Search “Giving Tree” by Tony Ruth for more explanation of this picture and concept.

Cartoon illustrating the difference between equality, equity, and justice, by showing two boys trying to get fruit from a tree.

Equity gives them different sized ladders, but justice bends the tree so it’s easy for everyone to access.

3199

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Jon Glasby @jonglasby.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

New research on what happens to older people, families and care staff when care homes close - policy and practice guide & training video via www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/soci...

01313

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Systematic review suggests online support groups can have positive impact on social wellbeing, behaviour & adjustment, with inconclusive findings for physical health & quality of life. Also possibility of negative effect on anxiety & distress, especially when exposed to others’ difficult experiences

031

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Great to be at the annual Social work and Social Care conference today and hear all about coproduction and research. Lots of interesting people to catch up with and interesting speakers. Even had a chance to spread the word about @ImpAdultCare! @NI_SCC

Man and woman standing to give a presentation to a conference. The man has short hair and is wearing a blue shirt and Trousers. The lady is wearing a black and white dress with a black cardigan.

Slide from the presentation explaining the different ways people can help make sure meaningful coproduction happens

Two ladies standing in front of a conference slide that says knowledge is not power, knowledge is only potential power. Action is power. One has short blonde hair and is wearing a black patterned dress. The other is wearing a grey, ivory and black patterned dress with a black cardigan and she has short brown curly hair. They are both smiling

Four women taking a selfie of them in front of a stand which says Impact. They are smiling

010

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Great fun the last couple of days with the @impadultcare.bsky.social team in Birmingham and even managed to make it back in time to see the legend @daraobriain.bsky.social in Dublin. Perfect!

The Impact team doing a creative planning exercise. There are 14 people who are standing and sitting round a large table that is covered with papers and has a large felt with ideas on it. They look like they are having fun

The Northern Ireland Impact strategic implementation coach team - there is a man and three women standing in a garden. They are taking a selfie and smiling

The legendary Dara O’Briain standing on the stage in Vicar Street in Dublin in front of a blue background. He is dressed in a suit and looks like he is pondering something

Helga and Trevor taking a selfie in the seated area at Vicar Street comedy club. Their heads are close together and both are smiling.

011

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Good to catch up with Robin Miller, Amanda Barr, Barbara Campbell and Deirdre Heenan about the NI work being done to improve adult social care through @ImpAdultCare. Lots of great projects underway! Deirdre, we need to get you in the pic next time tho! impact.bham.ac.uk

Helga, Amanda, Robin and Barbara are facing the camera and smiling. They are standing in an alley with colourful Christmas lights and street decorations behind them

000

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

RNIB @rnib.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Alt text? Don’t worry, Santa’s elves have your back! Writing great alt text is simpler than you think. Got questions? Ask our alt text elves!

A bright pink instructional graphic titled “How to sleigh alt text.” It includes colourful headings labelled Identify Who (in green), Expression (blue), Description (pink), Colour (red), and Interesting Features (grey). On the right side, there’s a sample alt text description in various colours that reads: “Santa Claus looking happy as he waves at the camera. He wears a traditional red suit and hat and has a long white beard and glasses. There are colourful lights twinkly behind him.” Below the text, a photo of Santa Claus is shown, waving with a big smile against a background of twinkling, colourful holiday lights

16374252

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

coderdojobanbridge.bsky.social @coderdojobanbridge.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Great weekend in Cambridge getting ideas for all our ninjas. Pilgrimage to the @raspberrypi.com store & then #ClubsCon24 jam packed with fun creativity & the best bunch of people from @raspberrypiorg.bsky.social @coderDojo & @codeclub.bsky.social you could wish to spend time with. Thank you!❤️🖤💚

Four mentors from CoderDojo Banbridge standing outside the Raspberry Pi store and smiling

Zoe is giving a presentation to a room full of volunteers and mentors from coding clubs.

A diy escape room project that has been made with laser cut boxes, microbits, and a big red buzzer

A slide from a presentation showing different ways creativity can spark action on global challenges. There’s is also a picture of a boy holding a laptop and smiling, and the logos for Climate Action Now, UNICEF, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Code Club

091

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Prof Laura Lundy @lauralundy.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Please don’t expound the benefits of child participation while you develop laws & policies without them. An infographic explaining what you should do when you haven’t involved children on the right. The left is for those wanting to do their best to get it right- Lansdown’s 3Cs plus the Lundy Model.

A flowchart showing questions to be asked when involving children in decision-making

210646

Reposted by Helga Sneddon

Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Loving this paper 'Rethinking barriers and enablers'. How many thousands of weak research studies have reduced complex change to 'identifying and addressing barriers and enablers'? Here's how to do better! journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

journals.sagepub.com

Rethinking Barriers and Enablers in Qualitative Health Research: Limitations, Alternatives, and Enhancements - Abby Haynes, Victoria Loblay, 2024

Explorations of barriers and enablers (or barriers and facilitators) to a desired health practice, implementation process, or intervention outcome have become s...

30343120

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 03/08/2024

Just had a great morning at @ForestsideCSchl learning how to bake Irish bread. Chef Jeffers is a legend. Great fun and the bread turned out delicious - we’ll be eating Veda, soda farls and cheese scones for a while!

000

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 27/07/2024

Pups are definitely looking forward to next year (as are we) #BelfastPride

000

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 27/05/2024

For and Against National Service - Policy making brought to you by Yes, Prime Minister youtu.be/ahgjEjJkZks?si=obUspHDE4W4… via @YouTube

000

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 06/04/2024

Amazing day yesterday exploring Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth - beautiful places with lots of great information and wonderful guides. So lucky to have places like these here in Ireland @opwireland

000

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 15/03/2024

If we have positive assumptions about people with Down’s syndrome, we’ll give them more opportunities. And maybe those positive assumptions will become reality. Powerful stuff from @madisontevlin and @coordown #AssumeThatICan #EndTheStereotypes

121

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 23/02/2024

Great night tonight star gazing with @niscifest at @ArmaghPlanet - amazing views with the telescopes once the clouds cleared and loads of interesting info and insights

000

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 07/01/2024

Love #HarryClarke and Aoife did an amazing job of tattooing his angel of Peace and Hope

000

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

Kendra is working part-time with National Autistic Society in NI -they’ve an online group starting up for autistic parents, a Dads Stay & Play group in Carryduff as well as a stack of resources, other groups & supports @Autism #SpreadTheWord...

100

Helga Sneddon @helgasneddon.bsky.social · 09/10/2023

Sad to hear about the passing of Chuck Feeney. His AP ‘giving while living’ spend-down philanthropy showed how things might be done differently: empowering people, prevention & early intervention, learning from evidence, valuing experiences, capacity building & human connections

000