Tag Archives: news/events

Family Support Hub Celebration Event – June 2022

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On 24 June 2022 the CYPSP Support Team, Family Support Hub (Hub) Coordinators, Hub members and other integral Partners came together for the first time since 2018, to reflect on and celebrate the work of the Hubs with particular focus on the work of the Hubs and members during the pandemic.

The day also provided an opportunity for Bronwyn Campbell to meet Hub Coordinators in person for the first time since taking up the role of Regional Family Support Hub Coordinator within the Health & Social Care Board (now SPPG/DoH) at the beginning of January 2022.

Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency and CYPSP Chairperson, opened the event, reflecting on the achievements of the Hubs.

Valerie Maxwell (Children’s Services Planning & Information Manager, SPPG/DoH) presented an animated video summarising the 2021/22 Annual Report, before Bronwyn Campbell addressed the Coordinators.

Presentations followed from Coordinators and Hub members – Lisa Grant (Craigavon & Portadown Hub), Alison Slater (Newry Hub), Joanne McCourt (Belfast Central Mission), Claire Larkin (Northern Area Hubs) and Sharon Nelson (Springfield & Whiterock Hub) who showcased how they adapted and changed their services in creative ways to enabled them to continue to meet the needs of the families and young people despite lockdown.

James Gallagher from Lifeline gave a fantastic presentation on “Caring for the Caregiver” and Eugene Mone from Barnardo’s brought along the Sensory Overload Virtual Reality Experience, a really powerful and thought provoking piece of work.

After a group exercise facilitated by Maxine Gibson (Children’s Services Planning Professional Advisor, SPPG/DoH) looking at what Coordinators seen as the challenges facing the Hubs in the next 12 months and how to rise to these challenges, the event was brought to a close by Maurice Leeson (Programme Manager Partnerships, Emotional Health & Wellbeing, CAMHS and Disability, SPPG/DoH).  This was particularly fitting given that Maurice played such a central role in the establishment of the Hub Network.

 

Bolster Community Celebrates Volunteers

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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 

‘Your Youth Your Wellbeing’ Bolster Community x St Joseph’s High School

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On Tuesday, 20th 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

 

Summer Gets Active 2022

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8 Days, 13 Activities, 50 Peer Mentors, 75 Children, 48 Families and 9 Nationalities…

It was another busy summer at Portadown Gets Active, with an excellent team of peer mentors who delivered 7 of the workshops over the 2 weeks. A fantastic family day took place with a visit from Jurassic LOC-down and lots of Jurassic-themed activities ran across the week!

Find out more about the Summer Gets Active 2022 programme and about what participating children, young people and families thought of the experience HERE

Next up, Halloween’s “Monsters Inc Gets Active”…

(The aims of Portadown Gets Active (PGA) are to provide Primary School age children, who are eligible for free school meals, with a healthy breakfast and lunch outside of school term-time, as well as providing opportunities to learn something new, participate in physical activities and most importantly have fun with their peers. Referrals also come through the Craigavon & Banbridge Family Support Hub (FSH) , Community Intercultural Programme, Family Intervention and SHSCT. Children from Portadown, Craigavon, Lurgan and Banbridge attend the Programme. Oasis Youth, PGA’s lead community partner, works in partnership with key agencies and organisation to ensure PGA has run successfully since 2017.)

Moving into Secondary School with Type 1 Diabetes

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Year 8 Pupils and Parents.

31st August 2022, 7pm (online via Zoom)

Are you starting secondary school? Do you have type 1 diabetes? Then join our online session for Year 8 pupils and parents, where young leaders will share their experiences and top tips, as well as a workshop on dealing with anxiety.

Created for young people with type 1 diabetes and their parents/guardians, you’ll join two workshops which aim to help you and your child prepare for the big move into year 8. This can be a challenging time for young people without having to consider how you might manage your diabetes so join us for this zoom – learn about managing anxiety, hear from our volunteers and connect with people from this community.

For more information or to register follow this link: Back 2 School – moving into secondary school with type 1 diabetes Tickets, Wed, Aug 31, 2022 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite