On 8th Sept 2022, Bolster Community Management Board and staff welcomed representatives from Newry Mourne and Down District Council, elected representatives and volunteers to celebrate the dedication and commitment of those who support the work of Bolster Community and our Home2Hospital Service.   

Bolster chairperson Eamonn Connolly welcomed guests to Warrenpoint Golf Club and spoke of the dedication and commitment of the volunteers who give up their time to support those living in the local community who struggle to attend out of area hospital appointments. Eamonn expressed his gratitude to the local council for funding this service over the last 7 years. 

Eamonn Connolly explained Home2Hosipital “is an initiative supported and funded by the Newry Mourne and Down District Council to take those living in Kilkeel (and surrounding areas) or Slieve Gullion who are over 60 and have no means to attend out of area hospital appointments.” During the last year Bolster Community Volunteer Drivers have ensured that 421 older people made it to essential medical appointments. 

If you would like to know more about the Bolster Community services, please contact Paula on 02830835764 or admin@bolstercommunity.org 

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About Bolster Community 

Bolster Community (www.bolstercommunity.org) is a practical, hands-on charity and social enterprise that works alongside individuals, families, and communities to improve health and wellbeing. 

Through our charity services, we’ve had the privilege of helping countless children, parents, young people with mixed ability and seniors to reach their full potential. We support ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges from early years right through to later years. With an uncompromising, people-first approach, we go the extra mile to complement existing services.  

Allison Slater Bolster Community 

M: 075 5767 6916

P: 028 3083 5764

E: allison@bolstercommunity.org 

On Tuesday, 20^th September 2022 Bolster Community brought together local youth organisations to St Joseph’s High School Newry for a full school day filled with motivational speeches, wellness workshops & resilience challenges.

The day was aimed at Year 8, 9 & 10 and aimed to engage boys in Northern Ireland aged 11-13 on wellness, positive mental health and motivation.

Representatives from P.I.Ps Newry & Mourne explained self-care and what this can look like, giving practical and relatable examples as well as coping mechanisms.

Motivational speaker Billy Dixon, CEO of  ‘Challenge, Change & Be Different’ gave a passionate speech on resilience, reflecting on his own heart attack story. Dixon is one of Europe’s leading authorities and commentators on personal projection, communication and team dynamics, so had a lot of information to help the boys on their journeys.

Bolster Community also brought in Pathways who set up an obstacle course and other  fun, practical, immersive outdoor activities reflecting life’s various challenges.

Another workshop was First Aid hosted by a representative from Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.

Bolster Community wishes to recognise The Magnet Centre, Newry who kindly donated 250 hygiene packs for each student to take away. Each included shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, equipping the boys with practical ways to practice cleanliness & self-care in order to be the best versions of themselves.

Closing up the day, Funk Soul Media brought a creative rap workshop. Some enthusiastic students were invited on stage to have a go at shooting their own rap video with equipment such as Sony cameras, drones as well as microphones. This was a chance to show alternative employment paths for young people in NI. Also featured was a live performance from  (taken from FunkSoulMedia’s Youtube page) Newry/South Armagh born and raised hip hop artist Cú Chulainn of his tribute song “Wee Conor”-  dedicated to the life of his childhood friend Conor Kearns, a young South Armagh man who tragically died of a drugs overdose aged only 23 years old in March 2019.

#youth #wellbeing #mentalhealthmatters #teenage #workshop #mindfulness #resilience #health #Newry #SouthArmagh #media #empowering #choices