In March, we opened the doors to our new Randalstown Centre in Northern Ireland, and with it, a new chapter of support for autistic people and their families.

The centre was officially opened on 3 March 2026 by our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, who joined autistic people, families, staff and supporters to mark the occasion. But beyond the speeches and ribbon-cutting, the day was really about something much simpler: creating a place where autistic people and families feel welcomed, understood and supported.

 

Shaping our centre by what matters to autistic people and families

The Randalstown Centre builds on the success of our Carryduff site and has been created in direct response to priorities shared with us by autistic people and their families.

Again and again, families told us they needed support that didn’t fall into neat boxes – something flexible, joined-up and available at different points in life. That’s why our new centre operates a dual service model, designed to work around real lives.

During the day, the centre delivers commissioned day services for autistic adults with high support or complex needs, offering specialist support in an environment designed specifically with autistic people in mind.

In the evenings and at weekends, the centre becomes home to our Support for Life programme - a wide-ranging programme of activities and support for autistic people and their families. This includes sessions for autistic children with high support needs, youth clubs, adult mentoring, skills programmes and stay-and-play opportunities.

Having all of this under one roof means families don’t have to start again each time their needs change. It offers continuity, familiarity and choice - things that can make a huge difference to everyday life.

 

Designed to feel safe, calm and enabling

From the moment you walk in, the Randalstown Centre has been designed to feel calm, inclusive and welcoming.

One of the most talked-about spaces is the immersive suite, which uses curved screens and advanced projection technology. This allows autistic people to experience situations they may find challenging or overwhelming – such as a supermarket visit or a haircut – in a safe, supportive way at their own pace. It can also be a place for exploration and fun, like experiencing a rollercoaster for the first time.

The centre also includes a sensory suite with soft play flooring, immersive lighting and sound and hundreds of programmes that can be adapted to individual needs. For some people, this might support regulation or relaxation; for others, it’s a space to explore and engage.

Alongside this are outdoor play and garden areas, life-skills rooms, kitchens, training spaces and a gym. Each space has been carefully designed to support confidence, independence and wellbeing in ways that feel meaningful to the people who use them.

 

A day that reflected why this place matters

During the opening, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh spent time touring the centre, joining sensory play activities with people we support and seeing the immersive suite in action. She also met families who have shared their experiences through our Forgotten Voices campaign and the BBC Spotlight documentary I Am Not Okay, which highlighted the reality many families face when support is hard to access.

Those conversations were a powerful reminder of why places like our Randalstown Centre matter – not as buildings, but as sources of understanding, respite and connection.

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh with young people at our centre

 

Made possible by generosity and shared belief

The Randalstown Centre has been made possible thanks to the exceptional generosity of Seamus and Bernadette Gillan, alongside the support of other philanthropic individuals, trusts and foundations. Their belief in the importance of long-term, community-based support has helped create a space that will make a real difference.

We firmly believe the centre will be a lifeline for hundreds of families across the region.

 

Looking ahead for our Northern Ireland centres

Once fully operational, our Randalstown and Carryduff centres will together support more than 400 autistic people and their families every year, expanding access to autism-specific support across Northern Ireland.

For us, the Randalstown Centre isn’t about being bigger or shinier. It’s about listening, responding and showing up – creating support that reflects real lives, real needs and real priorities. Centres like this move us closer to a society that truly works for autistic people.

 

· Applications are open for our day service. For more information, please contact services@nas.org.uk