HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh opens new Randalstown autism centre
Published on 04 March 2026
(L-R) Director of Operational Transformation at the National Autistic Society Lindsey Dobson, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society Caroline Stevens, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, Director of National Autistic Society Northern Ireland Shirelle Stewart, and Seamus and Bernadette Gillan.
The National Autistic Society Northern Ireland’s new state-of-the-art centre for autistic people and their families in Randalstown, County Antrim, was officially opened by our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh.
The new centre will provide day services for autistic adults with high support and complex needs. There will be activities for autistic people and their families in the evenings and at weekends, including sessions for autistic children with high support needs, adult mentoring, youth clubs, skills programmes, and stay and play opportunities.
During the launch event, The Duchess of Edinburgh was given a tour of the centre where Her Royal Highness joined sensory play activities with people we support and observed the immersive suite’s cutting-edge technology.
The Duchess met families who were featured in our Forgotten Voices campaign and the BBC Spotlight documentary, I Am Not Okay. Her Royal Highness also unveiled a commemorative plaque to officially open the new centre and made heartfelt remarks about the importance of support and respite for families.
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh with Nathan and Cole.
Facilities at the inclusive, state-of-the-art centre include:
- An immersive suite featuring a curved screen and advanced projection technology, enabling autistic people to safely experience scenarios such as riding a rollercoaster or practising supermarket visits and haircuts.
- A fully equipped sensory suite providing soft play flooring, immersive lighting and sound and over 300 interactive programmes.
- Outdoor play and garden areas, life skills rooms, kitchens, training spaces and a gym, each designed to foster independence, confidence, and wellbeing.
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh with Peter.
Once fully operational, our combined Randalstown and Carryduff centres will support more than 400 autistic people and their families every year, transforming support for autistic people across the region.
Guests at the launch event included the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Thomas Duncan, the Sheriff of Antrim, Rory Campbell, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Richard Baker, the Member of Parliament for South Antrim, Robin Swann, the Vice Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim, Miranda Gordon, the Deputy Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Majella McAlister, and the Minister of Health for Northern Ireland, Mike Nesbitt MLA.
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh
Shirelle Stewart, Director of the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the launch of our new centre in Randalstown. We are extremely grateful to our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, for officially opening the centre, and to all our supporters, trusts and foundations who helped to make this happen, including Seamus and Bernadette Gillan for their vision and transformational support.
“We look forward to welcoming autistic people and their families through the doors of our new centre, which will be a lifeline for hundreds of families in the region, providing a wide range of support, services and activities for autistic children, young people and adults.”
Alison Love, Head of Adult Services for Scotland & Northern Ireland at the National Autistic Society, said: “The opening of our Randalstown centre is a hugely important milestone for adult services in Northern Ireland. This centre has been designed to meet the needs of autistic adults with high support and complex needs, providing the right environment, skilled support and meaningful opportunities that enable people to build independence, confidence and wellbeing.
“We are proud to be delivering a service that will support autistic adults during the day, while also offering vital activities and support for individuals and families in the evenings and at weekends. This centre will make a real and lasting difference to hundreds of lives across the region.”
The National Autistic Society Northern Ireland celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. The charity has driven vital improvements in healthcare, education and employment over the last 20 years, thanks to tireless campaigning alongside autistic people and their families. Most recently, the charity’s Forgotten Voices campaign called for immediate access to short breaks and residential care for families of autistic children and young people with high support needs.
If you would like to find out more about the Randalstown Centre Specialist Day Service for Autistic Adults, arrange a visit or make a referral, please contact: services@nas.org.uk.
Further information
Find out more about the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland.
Read more about our Forgotten Voices campaign.