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BROTHERS autism social enterprise
autistic, neurodivergent, and disabled - teen & adult social intervention programmes
“Beyond Inclusion: from Participant to Professional”
BASE delivers high-quality Autism Spectrum and Neurodivergent Conditions - focused training, workshops and seminars for organisations across Northern Ireland.
Our training is practical, evidence-informed and grounded in real-world experience - helping staff teams build genuine confidence in supporting autistic and neurodivergent people across workplaces, education, health and community settings.
Unlike large providers, BASE is a micro social enterprise (Community Interest Company). That means your training investment does not disappear into corporate overheads - it is reinvested directly back into local community intervention programmes, improving mental wellbeing, reducing isolation, and building confidence, connection and purpose for autistic and neurodivergent people.
Choosing BASE supports local Social Value NI outcomes — strengthening a grassroots organisation that is actively delivering measurable impact within communities.
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Our training is led by David McLaughlin (Founder & Director) — with over 20 years’ professional experience supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals and groups, and an academic background through Queen’s University Belfast including:
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BSc Psychology; MA Early Childhood Development; Pg. Diploma Autism Spectrum Disorders; and final-year PhD Candidate investigating Autism Spectrum | Neurodivergent Disorders & experiences of Grief, Loss, and Bereavement)
Training Topics
BASE training can be tailored to organisational needs and typically includes:
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Autism & Neurodiversity (understanding, strengths-based practice, reasonable adjustments)
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Sensory Processing & Environment (sensory barriers, overload, regulation, inclusive design)
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Communication & Behaviour (meaning behind behaviour, supportive responses, de-escalation)
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Secondary Mental Health (anxiety, depression, trauma-informed approaches)
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Safeguarding (autism-informed safeguarding and vulnerability reduction)
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Autism & Bereavement (grief, loss, anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief)
Training Formats
BASE training is available as:
2-hour / half-and-full day
Delivery available in-person or online
Short talks, staff seminars, and full organisational consultation
Social Value & Community Reinvestment
As a Community Interest Company, BASE reinvests trading income to: expand autism-informed community interventions reduce barriers to access (cost, transport, confidence)improve inclusion and wellbeing outcomes build employability and progression pathways
This is not “tick-box inclusion” - it is real-world impact!
Co-Facilitation & Employment Pathways
BASE also involves autistic young adults as co-facilitators in training delivery (where appropriate), offering meaningful paid experience that supports dignity, empowerment and progression.
This approach is a foundation for BASE’s long-term goal of expanding autism employment opportunities across Northern Ireland.
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