News

The Forum has received funding from the Public Health Agency for volunteer drivers to undertake the MIDAS test (Mini Bus Driver Awareness Scheme).
The completion of the training will allow drivers to use the Coleraine Area Rural Transport buses.
Volunteer drivers are expected to give commitment to drive for older persons groups which nominated them.
The training will prepare the driver for a theory and practical test, and also an element of the training will cover an awareness session on how to recognise the signs of poor mental health.

To nominate a volunteer for MIDAS training or for more information contact:

Rosemary McCaw on 07868 444 953 or Neville Louden at CRUN on 028 7034 4934.

Coleraine & District Road Safety Committee are holding a table quiz in Coleraine Rugby Club on Wednesday 24 March 2010 at 8.00p.m with teams of up to 6 persons. Admission is FREE and supper will be provided.
There will be categories for young drivers, adults and seniors.
For information and entries please contact:
John Esler on 028 7035 0513 or Debbie Keys on 7034 7171.

Mencap offers a range of Community Summer Scheme Activity Programs and Projects within local communities across N.I including Ballymena, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Craigavon, Coleraine, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Newry and Omagh!
Generally schemes operate Monday to Fridat from 10am until 3pm although the volunteers hours can be flexible.
Volunteers are sought to support staff to ensure that the summer scheme programme of activities can be truly engaging and fun.
If you are enthusiastic, fully of energy and have a willingness to participate in all sorts of fun activities then we want to hear from you!
Contact Marie Louise or Michelle on 028 7035 8285 for more information.

February 2010

Dear Friend of Spring Chickens

Big Telly Theatre Company is delighted to announce, Golden Gangs,
the latest project as part of our highly successful Spring Chickens programme,
which focuses on increasing creative expression and engagement within the older
community.

Golden Gangs, is a pioneering Inter generational Programme involving local primary
schools and local older people, helping them to become active and valued
volunteers within their own communities.

Do you have spare time on your hands?
Do you have a hobby, interest or specialist subject knowledge?
Would you like to share your passion and knowledge with others,
in a volunteering capacity?
Would you like to meet new people and make new friends while doing so?

If the answer is yes, then please take this wonderful opportunity to join the Big Telly
Golden Gang, where we will train you to be a workshop leader for your local primary
after school club, where you can inspire and motivate a whole new generation to be
as enthusiastic as you are about your specific interest.

Led by a professional Big Telly Arts Facilitator, the project starts in early February
and will finish with you leading your own after schools workshop/s, supported by
the facilitator, between late April and early May. Using the skills of the theatre, the
facilitator will train you in how to deliver a practical creative workshop in your
specialist interest area, to a small group of hand picked Key Stage 2
pupils (8 – 11 years) at a primary school within your local community.

The Golden Gangs programme has 3 broad stages.
Stage 1 will be 2 or 3 exploratory workshops looking at How to communicate?
What a workshop is?, and what the inter generational workshop will be?
Stage 2 will be an Inter generational workshop end of March in your local primary
school where you will meet with a Key stage 2 class. While the workshop will be led
by the facilitator, at different stages, you and your gang will act as an assistant to the
facilitator in delivering the workshop.
Stage 3 will take place after Easter where you will be mentored and supported by
the facilitator in how to plan and lead your own after schools workshop to a small
group of enthusiastic pupils from the primary school class you have already met at
Stage 2.

As this project is generously funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and The Rayne
Foundation, and supported in kind by 15 local primary schools within Coleraine
Borough Council, the workshop volunteer training course is free to you. While the
facilitator will come a venue near you to complete stage 1 training, we will provide
assistance with travel at stage 2 and 3, should you require it. While this course is not
formally assessed, your contribution and success will be formally recognised by
Big Telly Theatre Company, in conjunction with the Volunteer Development Agency.

Golden Gangs is aimed at all older people. You do not have to have any previous
qualifications or training of any sort to take part in this project. However, if you have,
then your volunteer training will be tailored to your needs so you can get as much
enjoyment and information out of it as possible. All we require is that you have a real
knowledge and enthusiasm about your interest/hobby/specialist subject
(which could be something to do with your previous career which may be of interest
to young people of all ages today)

If you are interested in being a member of Golden Gangs, then please contact Big
Telly now. However, should you have any other queries or issues you would like
clarified, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact Big Telly during
office hours at 028 7083 1782, or, by e-mail springchickens@big-telly.com.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,


Project Manager
Big Telly Spring Chickens programme


“The Spring Chickens Programme has been a very successful one. It has managed to achieve two quite distinct objectives.....bringing interest and quality to the lives of older people, and raising awareness about society’s often misguided perceptions about older people, and their role.’
External Evaluation Report December 2009.

The Diabetes UK Involvement Network is your opportunity to inform the work of Diabetes UK.

The Network allows members to pick and choose what they would like to get involved in, depending on your interests.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to our work

Who should sign up?

We want to hear from you if you are a person with diabetes, a carer or parent of someone with diabetes. Diabetes is five times more prevalent in Afro-Caribbean and South-Asian people so were keen to hear your voice.

All you need to join is experience of living with diabetes.

The organisation
Diabetes UK is the leading charity in the UK working for people with diabetes. We fund research, campaign and help people to live with the condition. Our mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and to work towards a future without diabetes.

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do and without their support we could not carry out our vital work in research, education and care.

Our volunteers bring skills, experience, energy, enthusiasm and commitment to Diabetes UK. And volunteering can make a difference in your life too, letting you meet new people, learn new skills and have fun!

Diabetes UK has lots of volunteers throughout the UK and they help in many ways, from providing support to people living with diabetes to raising awareness about the seriousness of the condition to campaigning to improve diabetes services.

Skills/Qualifications
Members should either have diabetes, be a parent, carer or friend of someone with diabetes.
Times you can volunteer:
· Monday: Morning , Afternoon , Evening
· Tuesday: Morning , Afternoon , Evening
· Wednesday: Morning , Afternoon , Evening
· Thursday: Morning , Afternoon , Evening
· Friday: Morning , Afternoon , Evening
· Saturday: Morning , Afternoon , Evening
· Sunday: Morning , Afternoon , Evening

If you are interested in becoming a user rep volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Development Officer in the Northern Ireland Office

At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on Wednesday 10th February in West Bann volunteers and voluntary organisations were informed of a proposed merger for volunteer centres to come under the umbrella of a new organisation ‘Volunteering NI’. Causeway Volunteer Centre gave a presentation explaining the benefits of a merger and the benefits of remaining independent.

The benefits of merging were highlighted as regards marketing & corporate image, sustainability, strengthening local services and providing value for money. Concerns were raised about the loss of a valuable local service as Causeway Volunteer Centre has a good reputation in the area. The loss of a local voice and a local committee also caused consternation.

The consensus of opinion saw the losses to Causeway as too many and the members presented voted unanimously against the merger. Causeway Volunteer Centre will remain open for business as an independent centre and will apply to Department of Social Development for 12 months funding this week. Causeway Management Committee thanked everyone for attending and the proceedings were brought to a close.

Causeway Volunteer Centre managed a great turn out at its Child Protection course 2010. There was a full attendance with community groups, youth groups and playgroups taking child protection seriously and being concerned about the well-being of young people in their area. One course attendee stated:
“It is useful to learn about new legislation and new childcare strategies to enable a safe caring environment for our children and young people”.
Causeway Volunteer Centre is committed to developing the skills and knowledge of those who provide services for children and young people. Marie-Louise McClarey commented:
“Child protection training offers a good foundation to safeguarding our children and young people and develops an understanding of social care, risk assessment and recognition that every child matters”.
The course took place in West Bann Development Centre and the trainer was Geoff Hunter from North West Volunteer Centre.
The next training course will be:
Designated Child Protection Officers Course
Date: Tuesday 16 March 2010
Cost: £30 per person
Venue: West Bann Development Centre
For more info telephone 028 7035 8285 or
E Mail: michelle@causewayc.org

Causeway Befriending Scheme is in its third year and is run by Causeway Volunteer Centre. It offers volunteering opportunities for would-be Befrienders to visit local people with a physical disability and make a difference in their lives.
Marie-Louise McClarey, Manager of Causeway Volunteer Centre says, “Befriending is a great service in our local community. We all know neighbours who would welcome a friendly face to call in and visit and check they’re ok. I volunteered as a Befriender and found it very rewarding”.
Befrienders are needed to visit people who are physically disabled and are isolated because of their disability. Sometimes people with physical disabilities often lack the opportunities most of us have to make new friends. If their work and leisure lives are restricted then it follows that their chances to meet people are restricted. Friendship can play a large part in staying independent and healthy at home.
The scheme has already made a big impact and difference to people who are housebound, or in residential care through their disability. Our service users are usually referred to us by Social Services, Health Services or other professional bodies.
Could you be a volunteer Befriender?
Would you share some of your time (1 hour per week) with someone who has a physical disability?
For further information please contact Margaret or Jane on 028 7035 8285

Thursday 25 February 2010 saw the annual volunteer careers day at the University of Ulster in Coleraine.
Our sincere thanks to Donna Caldwell of U.U.C for a well organised event and making us feel most welcome on the day!

Marie Louise McClarey, Manager of Causeway Volunteer Centre, chatted to 32 budding volunteers all eager to take up volunteering opportunities. Students, of different nationalities, were interested in volunteering locally while they are students at the Coleraine Campus. Womans Aid, RNID, Arts Organisations and Conservation societies were among the most popular.

Volunteering provides a great opportunities to fulfill the requirements of their course and gain practical skills in various themed activities.

Sponsored by the FSA, and delivered in Northern Ireland by Citizens Advice Young People and Money is a free, one day training course that delivers financial capability training to those working with ‘NEET’ young people. The course is designed to improve their confidence by equipping to better support their young people in becoming financially capable.
Topics covered on the day will be:
Income, budgeting and banking
Credit
Debt Management
The Psychology of young people and money
To book a place visit the website at:
www.youngpeopleandmoney.co.uk
23.02.10 L’Derry
13.04.10 L’Derry
16.06.10 Coleraine
06.07.10 L’Derry

Charlie Howes from Emergency Care is offering the following first aid courses for interested groups or individuals.

All courses are delivered in an informal and enjoyable manner and candidates will receive a fully recognised NIHSE certificate which is valid for 3 years.
Charlie can be contacted on:

028 9267 5274 or 07881 795 857

E Mail: charlie45@fsmail.net
Website: emergencycareni.co.uk

4 HOUR LIFE SAVER (MAX STUDENTS 12 PER COURSE) £450
APPOINTED PERSON / FIRST RESPONDER/ REC LEVEL ONE FULL DAY ( MAX 12 ) £650
EMERGENCY COURSE 2 DAY (MAX STUDENTS) £1200
FIRST AID AT WORK 4 DAYS £1900 (INCLUDES EXTERNAL DOCTOR/SENIOR ASSESSOR FEES (MAX 12 )
ADVANCED FIRST AID 2 DAY COURSE £1200

A £1.5 million pound investment will allow Coleraine Rural and Urban Network to operate a community development centre at Brook Street in Coleraine. Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, announced the investment as part of the departments ‘modernisation fund’, for the Coleraine area last month.
This is a really exciting project for CRUN. It will see four community and voluntary groups coming together under one roof—Age Concern, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Causeway Volunteer Centre and ourselves. The project will be a huge asset for the people of the area who will benefit from having all these agencies under one roof. The community hub will be located at the old Cathcart’s building on Brook Street. The architects are already working on plans and we hope to be up and running by summer 2011.
The huge investment comes as CRUN (Coleraine Rural and Urban Network) celebrates its tenth anniversary.
CRUN delivers community development projects, alongside educational and prevention projects and cross sectoral training courses in drug and alcohol related issues in the Borough. They also deliver a small grant programme around suicide prevention and promoting positive mental health, funded by the Public Health Agency and have recently been successful in securing funding from IFI to deliver a 2 year community relations project which will commence in April 2010.
The new community hub will have conference facilities for up to 80 people and training rooms will be available for outside hire. Retail units on the bottom floor of the centre will ensure sustainability for the centre.
Please put Friday 26 March 2010 in your diary, and be sure to attend our conference. Formal invites will be sent to our members. Venue: Bushtown Hotel.