£750 through a charity sponsored walk at Shaw’s Bridge.

The Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd Action on Disability Project would like to extend our warmest thanks to Helen Savage, her family and friends for raising £750 through a charity sponsored walk at Shaw’s Bridge.

Ann-Marie McCormick, Programme Manager for the Action on Disability Project said, "We are greatly appreciative, without the support from families we would not be able to offer a range of services for children, young people and adults with disabilities living in West Belfast". She said "we would like to pay particular thanks to Helen Savage, for taking the time to organise the event and for rallying her family and friends together".

Helen Savage, parent and event organiser said "It was a privilege to be involved in such a worth while cause, we all enjoyed the walk and the money raised went a long way in helping us to forget about the sore feet and blisters".

The money raised will go towards sustaining the Action on Disability Project services.
For further information please contact the Action on Disability Project at the Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd on 028 90 236677.

Action on Disability Participants Achieve OCNW Pre Entry Award in Literacy & Numeracy

5 Participants of the Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd Action on Disability Project having been working towards an OCNW Pre Entry Award in Literacy & Numeracy through Cookery.

A demonstration of their success was celebrated on Tuesday 3rd June 2008 at Holy Trinity Family Centre where they catered for a party of 12 people.

This accreditation is being provided through the Belfast Metropolitan College in partnership with the Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd Action on Disability Project.

All participants have disabilities and undertook the programme, which began in September 2007 for 30 weeks. The aims of the award are to promote the development of literacy and numeracy skills, reward the achievement of learners in the skills they have developed, to help the learner progress towards higher milestones within the award or skills for life vocational qualifications at entry level.

Ann-Marie McCormick Programme Manager for the Action on Disability Project says, " The Action on Disability Project is committed to enhancing the skills and abilities of people with disabilities and on behalf of the project she would like to congratulate all those who took part". She said "after extensive personal involvement of staff to ensure the success of this initiative we are delighted to offer this programme of study to other people with disabilities and will begin further programmes in September.

Fiona Watters course tutor from BMC said, "This award is aimed at a wide variety of learners with individual abilities, interests, motivations and aspirations".

The Action on Disability Project would like to extend their warmest thanks to Fiona Watters and Linda Snowling from the BMC for their dedication and involvement throughout the past 2 years.
The Action on Disability Project aims to include local people with a learning, physical or sensory disability into the community of West Belfast.

For further information about the Project please contact Ann-Marie McCormick at USDC Ltd Action on Disability Project, 689 Springfield Road or by telephone on 028 90 236677.

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Digital Communities Supports the Action on Disability Project

The Action on Disability Project based at the Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd recently received a mobile computer suite from Digital Communities (Hewlett-Packard Philanthropy Project).

Through this new formed partnership with Digital Communities the project aims to develop the capacity of people with disabilities and other’s living within the community of West Belfast by offering access to ICT skills/ accredited training and confidence building.
Delegates from Digital Communities (Hewlett-Packard Philanthropy Project) visited the USDC Ltd on Thursday 19th June to meet a few of the participants currently engaged in an ICT beginner’s course.
Ann-Marie McCormick Programme Manager of the Action on Disability Project said "We are delighted to have formed this partnership with Digital Communities which has enabled us to deliver further educational programmes to people with disabilities in the community".
ICT tutor Ciaran Cahill from Springhill Community House said "This is a great opportunity to reach those most marginalized in our community and to bridge the digital divide. It was a pleasure for me personally and for Springhill Community House to be involved with this project".
Ken Callaghan, Digital Communities Manager said, " Digital Communities, through its support from Hewlett-Packard, seeks to provide opportunities for individuals to have access to the latest technology in an attempt to bring IT skills to as many people as possible. We are delighted to be able to support the Action on Disability Project as they seek to achieve this objective."
One service user stated: "I have wanted to do computers for a long time but didn’t know how to go about doing it. When I heard the Action on Disability project got equipment to help disabled people I was delighted. I am 37 years old and I am working towards my first computer qualification".

For further information please contact the Action on Disability Project at the Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd on 028 90 236677.

UPPER SPRINGFIELD DEVELOPMENT TRUST LAUNCHES STONE SCULPTURE PROJECT

‘Metamorphasis at the Top of the Rock’ 28th September at 1.30 pm at the Whiterock Credit Union. Gerry Adams will officially launch the piece of artwork.
Artist Mark Anthony from the Trust’s Arts Unit worked with 2 groups of people with disabilities to create this piece of artwork for the gable wall of the Whiterock Credit Union.
The artwork consists of various pieces of carved stone all put together to form one piece of work. It is a relief stone sculpture.

As well as creating something beautiful and unique for the community; the group have addressed issues both relevant to themselves and the wider community.
The starting point of the project was the group wanting the artwork to address other peoples, sometimes, limited perceptions of people with disabilities and learning difficulties.
The group carved 9 slabs of marble and slate with images and text. On the gable wall, they are laid out in sequences which show metamorphases, and create a ‘play on words’.
For example; the top row reads " Bees" "Flowers" "Honey", and another row reads, "Honey" "Pain" "Respect".

Other rows read; "Bee No Racism", and "Flowers More Love"
Mark Anthony says of the group, "it has lifted their self esteem by producing a piece of work that will be on public display. It has been a privilege for myself to work with the group"
A female head also carved by the group represents the woman of the nation.
Deirdre Mackel says, "The permanent nature of the stone means the artwork will be there for a very long time and will impact on people not only now but in many years to come.
It is a very symbolic piece of artwork which will encourage its audience to think and question."
Michael Ferrin from Mica Drive Day Centre says, "hopefully by the piece being displayed will show other disabled people and able bodied people what can be done through being given opportunities".

This Project was funded by the National Lottery Through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
The Project was funded by Belfast Regeneration Offices Neighbourhood Renewal
For further details contact: Deirdre Mackel Arts Officer Upper Springfield Development Trust Tel 02890 236677
Email: deirdre.mackel@usdt.co.uk