About Us

Jigsaw NI began working as ACORN in 1990, providing a range of services to its members, who are adults with varying disabilities including brain injury, sensory impairment and physical disability. Jigsaw NI was founded by the late Fred Williams MBE. Fred had sustained a brain injury several years before, and wanted to help counter the isolation often experienced by people with disabilities and their families. Quite often, our members have experienced social exclusion and may have spent many years at home with little or no day time activity outside the house. ACORN became Jigsaw NI, a company limited by guarantee with charitable status accorded by the Inland Revenue in February 1999.  Jigsaw NI encourages social interaction and new friendships.

Jigsaw NI’s range of services for its members are Community Art and Physical Activity classes, including Chair-based aerobics, Soccer, Gym, Boccia and Swimming.  Most members live in the greater Belfast and North Down area.  The activities are held in community venues, such as leisure centres, church premises and community centres. We currently have 11 groups running throughout Belfast and 2 groups running in the North Down area. The groups in the North Down area are solely for adults with acquired brain injuries. Jigsaw NI Belfast groups are made up of 8-12 members (depending on ability/assistance required) with varying forms of disabilities in each group. Jigsaw NI groups work on a term-time basis - September through to June. See our weekly timetable of activities page to see what activities we offer, where and when.