|
E-Bulletin 17 February 2011 |
|
working to create a genuinely participative democracy |
Quick Links:
|
1 |
DSD Minister to attend Concordat consultation in the North-west – Have your say…
Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood MLA, will visit Clooney Hall, Derry~Londonderry, on Wednesday 2 March 2011 to engage with community and voluntary organisations, businesses, other organisations and the public. All are welcome to attend.
The event will run between 10.30am and 1.00pm and will include a consultation workshop to consider the views of community and voluntary sector stakeholders on the proposals for a new Concordat for Relationships between Government and the VCS.
Minister Attwood also wishes to use the opportunity to discuss the impact of the Department for Social Development’s draft budget proposals (available at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/consultation-draft-budget-2010.doc).
These are key events to give local organisations, families and citizens, a role in and influence over the budget. It is the most severe for a generation and the Minister wants as many as possible of this generation to have their say on its content.
Please reply to una.gilmore@dsdni.gsi.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday 25 Feb indicating your intention to attend.
NWCN has been a member of the Joint Government Community & Voluntary Sector Forum for the last four years, bringing a strong North-West perspective to discussions on an agreed Concordat (NWCN is one of only a few sub-regional members of the Forum).
It might seem that a document such as the Concordat does not carry the greatest significance at a time of continuing financial pressures. The Network considers however that with looming Assembly elections and likely changes in departmental responsibilities, the relationship framework and commitment levels between government and the Community & Voluntary sector will become of critical importance, providing the only reference point on which departments might be held to account.
Access the relevant documents using the links below: The Concordat Consultation document (PDF 151KB) The draft Concordat for Relationships between Government and the C&V sector (PDF 51KB) |
|
|
|
|
2 |
Delivering Community Consultation on behalf of: Investing for Health and the Public Health Agency
Tomorrow, Friday 18 February 2011, 10 - 11.30am Main Hall, St. Columbs Park House, Limavady Road, Derry~Londonderry BT47 6JY
Presentations from: Brendan Bonner, Head of Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement (West)
The purpose of the event is to update local groups on: - Activities to date - Organisational and staffing restructures - Challenges for Health Improvement - Representation on IFH/Health Improvement Partnership - Hear your input on the challenges you would like to see PHA/WIFH address.
The feedback received will inform forthcoming strategic review by both agencies in continuing to meet the needs and tackle health inequalities in the Western region.
A number of spaces are still available, to confirm your attendance for these important engagements, please contact NWCN on: 028 7127 9090 or email: info@nwcn.org |
|
|
|
|
3 |
Inaugural Meeting of the Cultural Partnership Forum
The Inaugural Meeting of the Cultural Partnership Forum will be held on Wednesday 9 March 2011 at 6pm in The Millennium Room, Millennium Forum, Derry.
All members of the public are invited who have an interest in Arts & Culture. Please RSVP to r.morrison@verbalartscentre.co.uk
For further details on the Cultural Partnership Forum Memorandum and Articles of Association please contact: Laura McGrory, Admin Assistant, Derry City Council on 028 70 365151 ext 6933 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
Information Event for Victims & Survivors of the Conflict
Local community organisations Cúnamh and Tar Abhaile are hosting an information morning on Wednesday 23rd February in the Tower Hotel from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
The event will provide information about the financial and practical support available from the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund (NIMF) for individuals and families who lost a loved one during the conflict and to individuals who were injured during the conflict, as well as primary carers of injured individuals. The Fund has received £3.5 million from OFM/DFM for the year 2010/11.
Cathy Nelis, Cúnamh Co-ordinator said “We are hosting the event to raise awareness of the NIMF schemes and to provide assistance for people to complete applications. I have been informed by the NIMF that the uptake from applicants in the Derry area has been relatively low, in comparison to other areas. This may be attributable to several factors, including lack of awareness about the Fund, uncertainty amongst victims/survivors about their eligibility; and lack of support available to potential applicants.
We want to ensure that victims & survivors are sufficiently informed about the Fund and can make applications if they so wish. Cúnamh has submitted over 60 applications on behalf of victims/survivors since November. We are specifically trying to reach those who were injured during the conflict and for this reason we have asked Tar Abhaile to assist.
Many people were injured, both physically and psychologically, and this continues to impact upon their daily lives. Many survivors are growing old and their injuries may have become more complex. In the current financial climate their needs may not be prioritised and this is precisely what the Fund is there to assist with.
Méabh Mackel, Coordinator for Tar Abhaile, agrees, saying “This is particularly true of the Republican former prisoner community, which is an aging population. In the past, this funding was not available to former political prisoners, so we want to make sure that everyone is aware of the fund now that it is. We’d like to encourage former prisoners and their families, who feel they are eligible to apply, or would like further information, to come along to the information morning, or to contact our office.”
The new schemes were launched in November 2010 and they reflect a needs led approach, which Cúnamh and others have been insisting upon for many years now. The application process has been simplified and the processing time has been reduced. Cathy adds, “We are well aware that this can be an emotionally painful and traumatic process for victims and survivors, and we will therefore have our counselling and complimentary therapy staff there to provide support.”
If you would like further information about the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund schemes or the information event contact the following: Cúnamh 02871288868 / Tar Abhaile 02871266675 / NIMF 02890 761166 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
Irish Peace Centres in the Northwest Cross-border region
This is a general invitation to an information and networking session for groups and agencies in the Northwest Cross-border region to be held in the Junction, Bishop Street, on Friday 4th March from 12.30pm until 2.00pm.
Irish Peace Centres (IPC) is a consortium of peace-building organisations which seeks to cultivate and sustain positive relationships at a local level across the region and across traditional sectarian and new social divides. The members of the consortium are:
- Corrymeela Community (est. 1965); - Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation (est. 1974); and - Co-operation Ireland (est. 1979)
IPC adopts an integrated approach to peace-building which comprises capturing and sharing the learning; interface community dialogue; deep dialogue; sustainable peace networks; faith and peace; experiential learning both accredited and unaccredited; research studies; seminars; conferences; strategic interventions at local and regional level; and international exchanges.
The purpose of the information and networking session is to introduce you to the work of IPC and to hear from you about your work and explore together possible areas of common interest and collaborative working.
Staff and Board members of IPC will be in attendance and there will be short presentations of four recent research studies followed by an open discussion. The studies are: - Prejudice and Pride - Intergenerational Aspects of the Northern Ireland Conflict - Studying theology: practising faith - Evaluation of Story-telling as a Peace-building Methodology
The reports will be available for collection. There will be an opportunity for informal networking over lunch.
RSVP to cohare@cooperationireland.org by 5.00pm on March 2nd. |
|
|
|
|
6 |
If you enjoy volunteering or would like to try it out, here are just a few of the volunteering opportunities available in your area
Volunteer Now– Volunteer Ambassador Help to promote the One Good Reason Campaign and to encourage people aged 60+ into volunteering roles. Ambassadors required in both Strabane District & Derry City Council Areas.
Marie Curie – Cancer Care – Collectors Volunteers are invited to help with “The Great Daffodil “street collection due to take place on Saturday 2nd April 2011 in L’Derry. If you could spare an hour or two between 10am and 4pm, we’d love to hear from you.
Fold Housing Association – Volunteer IT Tutor Fold are seeking an IT tutor for Lavery Fold in Derry to help the residents with basic IT skills and introducing them to the internet.
Big Telly Theatre – Golden Gangs Are recruiting volunteers to become workshop leaders in the Derry City Council area for their successful Golden Gangs programme. This creative and intergenerational should provide lots of fun!
Age NI -Volunteer Peer Facilitators Volunteers sought to help with a series of province-wide sessions that Age Ni will be holding to hear the views of older people regarding a range of relevant issues. If you are interested in older people’s issues, and want to make things better, this could be the role for you!
Glenelly - Historical Society Is interested
in volunteers coming on board to support the organisation and its
activities.
Glenside Club The club supports adults with learning disabilities and meets every Tuesday night in Strabane High School. The club is inviting volunteers to join in and help out with its activities.
For more information on these and many more volunteering opportunities please visit www.volunteernow.co.uk tel: 028 7127 1017 or email: enquires@volunteeringnorthwest.co.uk alternatively you can call in person to North West Volunteer Centre, 22 Bishop Street, L’Derry, BT48 6PP |
|
|
|
|
7 |
Developing Facilitation Skills Training
Places are available on a Developing Facilitation Skills course OCN Level 3 (36 hours). The programme which will be delivered by the WEA is aimed at those who already have some experience of working in groups, but who are looking to increase their confidence and improve their theory and skills base.
This first-hand background knowledge is vital as the course works with the learners’ own experiences, encouraging them to reflect on and share their past and current practice with the aim of strengthening future facilitation work.
Participants will learn about the theories of group dynamics, how to plan a session and how to deal with conflict. All of the learning will be applied in a micro group facilitation session.
Contact Gerard Diver at the Cresco Trust for further details of cost and dates for the training. 028 71269400 gerard@crescotrust.com |
|
|
|
|
8 |
Safe Futures Residential Weekend for Adults Bereaved by Suicide
Please find attached information relating to a residential programme we are running for adults bereaved by suicide. The weekend will happen from 4 - 6 March in the Derrynoid Residential Centre.
The weekend is free to participants. |
|
|
|
|
9 |
Financial Capability Awareness Raising Sessions
EGSA is running awareness raising sessions as part of its contract to deliver the Financial Capability Support Programme (FCSP). Sessions are aimed at adult learning practitioners (for example tutors, trainers, guidance advisers, support workers) and are designed to:
- Raise awareness of what Financial Capability is and how to understand it within the context of adult learning - Increase confidence in dealing with finance for learning issues (such as being aware of referrals and resources) - Help participants develop an action plan for embedding Financial Capability within their organisation
Sessions are free of charge and will be held in Disability Action, 58 Strand Road, Londonderry, BT48 7AJ (please note: you only need to attend one session)
Thursday 24th February 2011, 10.30am-12.30pm Thursday 10th March 2011, 2.30pm-4.30pm
Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For further details and to download the booking form click http://tinyurl.com/67mhz2w.
If you cannot attend on these dates but wish to be kept informed as we roll out FCSP, please send your details to E: fcsp@egsa.org.uk.
In house sessions (for organisations working with adult learners) can also be arranged in your premises. Contact Paulette Lennon for further details on T: 028 9024 4274 or E: fcsp@egsa.org.uk.
If you are running money sessions or training and you would like us to promote it, please send details to fcsp@egsa.org.uk. |
|
|
|
|
10 |
‘Getting from Why to How – Participation and Youth Democracy in Action’
Inside Out in partnership with Clubs for Young People NI would like to extend an invitation to you and members of your club/organisation/unit to participate in a special young person’s ‘Open Space’ event to be held at The Playhouse, Artillery Street, Derry~Londonderry on Tuesday 29 March between the hours of 11am and 4pm.
‘Getting from Why to How – Participation and Youth Democracy in Action’ forms part of a joint Inside Out and Clubs for Young People Youth Democracy project known as The ‘Why?’ Project which, is funded by the British Council under the EU’s Youth in Action Programme
Twenty young people from The Playhouse’s ‘What IF? Project, Eglinton Community Limited’s Network Earth Group and the Inside Out Youth Programme in Claudy are currently involved in The ‘Why?’ Project.
Up to a further 30 young people from across Northern Ireland are invited to take part in this special event and it is open to young people aged between 15 and 17 (exceptions can be made for young people either younger or older but please talk to us in advance about this).
Two Open Space Facilitators from Berlin (with experience of more than 150 Open Space events) will facilitate the programme therefore providing a genuine and unique experience.
Using Open Space Technology ‘Getting from Why to How – Participation and Youth Democracy in Action’ proposes to engage young people in discussing a range of related issues with a view to identifying a number of action points for The ‘Why?’ Project and making recommendations that can be ‘delivered’ to local and national politicians in anticipation of an International Youth Assembly scheduled for the city in late October. The event will also facilitate participative processes enabling young people to play a significant role in taking ownership of particular issues.
‘Open Space’ is one of the few proven approaches which actually makes participation happen. It provides space for self-organised and self-determined learning in which the creative potential of the participants can unfold.
It is also a methodology which is widely used across Europe and the America’s but only sparingly in Ireland or Britain. For this reason alone it is worth coming along to see it in action but more importantly, if you really want to see Youth Participation in action and pick up more ideas as to how you can engage young people in your organisation then you should make this a priority for yourself and your young people.
There is currently no limit to numbers attending from a particular group but depending on levels of interest it’s possible we may have to impose a restriction on this in due course.
This really is a special opportunity for engaging young people in real participative processes so please do not fail to take up the opportunity.
For further information please reply to Fergal Barr at thekingisalive@hotmail.com or call me on 079 4459 5864. |
|
|
|
|
11 |
InterAct Youth Arts Festival 2011 issues call for Expressions of Interest
The third InterAct Youth Arts Festival will roll out in 12 venues in the North West during Monday 25th July to Sunday 31st July 2011, presenting 20 free workshops, 4 film screenings, 3 special guest masterclasses, plus live performances for 12~21 year olds and we need you to help us deliver a Festival of the highest calibre.
The Millennium Forum is inviting Expressions of Interest from performers, arts organisations, promoters, artists and arts facilitators. These submissions will inform the scope of the Festival, with all events, themes, performers and tutors being selected by members of our Youth Forum. Supported by The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, InterAct aims to encourage young people of all capabilities and from all backgrounds in North West to InterAct with each other and the arts in this 7-day 12-venue Festival.
InterAct Youth Arts Festival is keen to attract a wide range of facilitators who have proven experience of working with youth. If you have worked with us before, we want fresh ideas to engage local youth. We encourage a collaborative working practice, providing PR and marketing support to help raise the profile of your work while participating in the Festival.
We are particularly keen in how you can develop ideas and implement the workshops. Be creative and think big. We want the workshops to develop the participants’ skills, confidence and creativity. We place importance on bringing people together from difference backgrounds, maximizing opportunities for learning, fun and engaging young enquiring minds. Let your imagination flow…
This is your chance to get involved and join us to bring the arts to new audiences in this vibrant collaboration of youth arts and culture. InterAct Youth Arts Festival will present workshops, film screenings, live performances and special guest masterclasses in venues in and around the City from Monday 25th ~ Sunday 31st July 2011.
Interested? Log onto www.millenniumforum.co.uk or www.interactyouth.com and download the Call for Expressions of Interest application form. Completed applications must be returned no later than 5pm on Friday 4th March 2011. Further details are available from Shauna McNeilly at shaunamcn@millenniumforum.co.uk |
|
|
|
|
12 |
Sports partners needed for ‘Into Contact’ programme leading to London 2012
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, based in Derry, is considered to be Northern Ireland’s leading dance company. It was recently awarded funding from Legacy Trust UK as a lead partner of the Connections programme managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Through this programme, Echo Echo is completing projects that link dance and sport in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
One thread is an audience development project which would see the company work directly with sports clubs. It would offer courses and workshops in dance and movement techniques that could be used within a sports environment for improved performance.
Echo Echo is interested in attention to movement and can be related to many different practices e.g. how a footballer strikes the ball- each part of his/her body contributes to the direction, power and accuracy of the shot- not just the foot and leg.
The company can also offer more group-orientated activities that will improve body awareness and work on team building skills.
If your sports club would be interested in partnering with Echo Echo on a dance and sport project, please contact Sarah Bryden in the Echo Echo office on 028 7134 2266 or email sarah@echoechodance.com |
|
|
|
|
13 |
The second in the current series of Holywell Trust's Lunchtime Events will take place in Café Artisan on Thursday 24th February from 12.30pm -2pm.
Carol Stewart Community Relations Officer for Derry City Council will give a presentation of the work of Community Relations workers in Derry/Londonderry.
You are welcome to attend and Lunch will be provided. |
|
|
|
|
14 |
ICAN invites you to participate in: Galliagh Stories
3 community performances TONIGHT - Thursday 17 February, 7.00 – 9.00 pm, The Arc Centre Bloomfield (St. Joseph’s Boxing Club building)
Developed in collaboration with facilitator: Hector Aristizabal
To find out about the ICAN Programme and to attend master-classes, showcases and conferences join the ICAN member’s network, www.icanplayhouse.com – network page |
|
|
|
|
15 |
Clubs for Young People NI in partnership with Donegal Sports Partnership will host a Soccer Coaching Day and Football Tournament led by qualified staff including IFA Coaches at The Diamond Centre, Claudy on Saturday 26 March between 11am and 3.30pm. We are looking for Teams of 8 to enter.
If you would like to enter a team please fill out attached forms and return to CYPNI, Ground Floor, 22 Stockmans Way, Musgrave Park Industrial Estate, Belfast, BT9 7JU by Friday 11 March 2011.
If you have any other queries regarding this event please mail to post@cypni.net |
|
|
|
|
16 |
Upcoming training with Wave Trauma Centre
Collage Art classes by Sara Commencing Tuesday 22 February 2011 from 11 am running for 12 weeks
A collage may include newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of coloured or hand-made papers, portions of other artwork, photographs and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas. This is to be used a memorial piece from the front office wall.
Everyone welcome!
Yoga/Meditation Classes by John Lindsay, Derry Londonderry Centre
Wednesday 23 March 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm (Taster Day) Wednesday 6 April 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 13 April 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 20 April 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 4 May 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 11 May 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 18 May 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 25 May 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 1 June 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 8 June 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 15 June 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 22 June 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm Wednesday 29 June 2011 from 11 am – 1 pm
For either event please register your name with Pamela at the Front office or ring her on 028 71266655 |
Submit an article - Use this link to submit an article for inclusion in E-Bulletin.
When
submitting an article for inclusion in this E-Bulletin, please conform to the
following guidelines to ensure not only inclusion but clear understanding of the
information you wish
to convey:
Use only the
Verdana or Arial
Fonts, size 10 or 12
Use single-line spacing
As far as possible, do not
use images or include attachments - information is best
received when it is concise and straightforward.
Include reliable contact
information: named
contact, organisation, telephone number, email address &, where appropriate,
web address
Please do not reply directly to this email, use one of the links above to feedback or to submit an article. For general enquiries, email info@nwcn.org
The information in this E-Bulletin has been collated from a range of sources. NWCN does not however accept responsibility for any third party content or for any of the opinions expressed.
|
Neola
Nelis
McCrossan |
|
|
NWCN is a membership organisation for community & voluntary groups in the North-West, click here for a membership form for 2010-11. | |
|
North-West Community Network receives core funding through the Community Investment Fund (DSD). | |
I am using the Free version of SPAMfighter.
SPAMfighter has
removed 29522 of my spam emails to date.
Do you have a slow PC? Try free
scan!