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A Vision That Began with Compassion
Friends of the Care Project was founded in 2011 through the vision, compassion and determination of our Founder and President, Annette Carey MBE, with a simple yet powerful purpose: to ensure that children and adults with disabilities in Antigua and Barbuda have access to the opportunities, support and dignity every person deserves.
From the outset, the organisation recognised the challenges many families faced. Specialist education was limited, therapeutic services could be difficult to access, and there were few opportunities for people with complex needs to continue learning, develop essential life skills and participate fully in their communities. Too often, families were navigating these challenges with limited guidance or support.
Determined to change this, Annette Carey founded Friends of the Care Project on the belief that every individual, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential. Her vision extended far beyond providing care: it was to empower children, strengthen families, champion inclusion and open doors to opportunities that could last a lifetime. Fifteen years on, that vision continues to shape every aspect of our work.
Annette has often spoken about the importance of the legacy we leave behind - not one measured by titles, recognition or buildings, but by the lives we transform and the opportunities we create for others. That principle has become a guiding philosophy for Friends of the Care Project.
In recognition of her outstanding dedication to children, adults and families with disabilities, Annette Carey was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). The honour recognised her contribution, but her enduring legacy is reflected in the lives she has touched, the hope she has brought to families, the opportunities she has created, and the organisation she built through compassion, determination and an unwavering belief in human potential.
Since 2011, Friends of the Care Project has grown substantially, providing specialist education, therapy, outreach and advocacy services for children, young people, adults and families across Antigua and Barbuda. We recognise that disability can require support at different stages of life, and that services should evolve alongside each person's changing needs.
Today, Friends of the Care Project delivers three interconnected programmes supporting children, families and adults at different stages of life. As we look to the future, we are working to strengthen continuity between these services through our Early Intervention Baby Unit, Middle-Level Programme, Therapeutic Sensory Garden, Intellectual Disability Forum and Community Food Bank. These developments reflect our determination to respond to growing need and ensure that more people have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
What began as one woman's vision has become a legacy of hope, inclusion and opportunity—transforming lives today while building a brighter, more inclusive future for generations to come.
About Friends of the Care Project
FRIENDS OF THE CARE PROJECT
FRIENDS OF THE CARE PROJECT
FRIENDS OF THE CARE PROJECT
Friends of the Care Project is a unique charity in Antigua that provides
support to both children and adults and is one of its kind across the
Caribbean. Thanks to the generous philanthropy of individuals, we can run
programs that benefit people in the early years of learning and adulthood.
The charity offers three types of support:
• Early Years Education – Children attend the Centre Monday to
Friday and receive an individual education plan tailored to their
needs.
• Community Outreach – Children can access individual therapy
sessions at the base,such as physiotherapy and autism-specific.
programs, where the focus is on teaching new skills or modifying
behaviors.
• Adult Outreach – Sessions are designed around individual interests,
abilities, and the level of support required. We also incorporate
elements of learning, guided by our Adult Outreach Coordinator, who
brings experience as a teacher and principal.
FRIENDS OUTREACH PROGRAM
FRIENDS OF THE CARE PROJECT
FRIENDS OF THE CARE PROJECT
The Adult Outreach Program supports young people aged sixteen and
above, many of whom live with Autism or mental health diagnoses. Our
goal is to provide life skills training and opportunities for meaningful
engagement and participation, empowering everyone to live with dignity,
independence, and purpose.
The Outreach Coordinator has also been teaching these individuals.
numeracy and language skills, and it is so rewarding to see the progress in
abilities that had never been nurtured before. Previously, these individuals
might not have been seen as capable learners, but with the right support,
They are now demonstrating their potential and their desire to learn. This is
so empowering and for these individuals to learn skills that have been
dormant but now awakening.
The aim of our Outreach Team is to help individuals develop practical life
skills while providing a supportive, social environment where they can form
friendships and experience a true sense of belonging.
We offer a variety of engaging activities such as:
• Gardening
• Arts and Crafts
• Animal Care
• Sailing ability (including sailing opportunities)
Many individuals in this group have formed lasting friendships and feel
empowered by participating in meaningful roles around the Centre. Their
confidence has grown significantly, especially through involvement in a
new and exciting initiative.
FRIENDS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
FRIENDS OF THE CARE PROJECT
FRIENDS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Early years education: The Friends Developmental Centre (FDC) provides
essential education to children with severe developmental needs and
learning disabilities—children who, without our support, would have little
to no access to education or meaningful social experiences. At the FDC,
Eight children currently receive need-directed education through a variety
of teaching methods tailored to their individual strengths. Learning is
delivered through sensory experiences and social interactions, helping
children engage with the world around them while receiving support in the
areas they find most challenging.
Our specialized education program supports children aged 18 months to
10 years who live with a range of developmental disabilities, including:
• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Hydrocephalus
• Autism
• Receptive and Expressive Communication Difficulties
Principal Mr. Robertson, Centre Manager Mrs. Kate James, and Deputy
Mrs. Michelle Simpson lead the Centre.
Together with our resolute team
of teachers and assistants, we develop Individualized Education Plans
(IEPs) tailored to each child’s unique learning and developmental needs.
To support children requiring physical development assistance, we also
employ a physiotherapist and a physiotherapy assistant. They work closely
with many of our students too:
• Support mobility and learning to walk.
• Assist with muscle development and limb usage.
• Provide hydrotherapy sessions.
In addition, we have a qualified nurse on staff who offers expert advice,
health support, and plans for both children and adults to address a range of
medical and care needs.
Our goal is to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child
can thrive and reach their full potential.
Each child has progressed since their time at the center, and every
achievement is a celebration of the dedication of both the team and the
child. Children who initially came to us unable to walk or talk have now
made remarkable progress and can both walk and communicate. It is truly
inspiring to witness, and without the commitment of our team and them.
determination to support learning, some of these children might never have
acquired these vital skills.
In addition, individuals with physical disabilities who can learn language
and numeracy skills have been given the opportunity to develop these
skills. These achievements will stand them in good stead for the rest of
their lives.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
