Launch of Groundbreaking Service Promoting Independent Living for People with Physical Disabilities in West Belfast

The Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd’s Flagship Project, "Action on Disability" officially launched its Floating Support Service on Wednesday 21st February 2007 at 2.30pm in the Maureen Sheehan Centre, 106 Albert Street, Belfast, BT12 4HL.

A contract was awarded to the award winning Upper Springfield Development Company Ltd by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Supporting People. This grant will enable the Action on Disability Project to increase the level of independence for people with physical disabilities living in West Belfast. The project celebrated this at the event by hosting guest speakers such as Brian Rowntree, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The audience also had the pleasure of listening to real life experiences of service users availing of the service.

Lynn Murphy a service user of the Action on Disability Project said "I want to live independently again and this scheme is helping me work towards that" She said "I have gained a lot from the service and feel more confident about my future as a result of the support I have received".
The Action on Disability Project aims to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities into the community of West Belfast. Ann-Marie McCormick, Programme Manager for the Action on Disability Project said, "We are delighted to receive this contract from the NIHE". She said "This service is tailored to the needs of the individual and aims to help people maintain their independence in their own homes. She said "Independent Living is the concept of the empowerment of disabled people and their ability to control their own lives".

Brian Rowntree, Chairman of the Housing Executive said, "The Housing Executive is committed to working at strategic and local levels with partner organisations and local communities to ensure housing services and support are available and accessible throughout Northern Ireland.
The Supporting People Programme has provided the opportunity to help vulnerable people throughout Northern Ireland live independently. And the ‘Action on Disability’ Project is a clear demonstration of how Supporting People puts the needs of the person at the heart of support service provision, matching support to individual client needs. I would like to take this opportunity wish the Upper Springfield Development Company continued success with the project."

Brian Barry, Director of Social Care and Physical Disability within N&WBHSST said "North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust welcomes Upper Springfield Development Trust - Action on Disability Project’s Floating Support Service as a new and innovative programme to support adults with a disability to live as independently as possible". He went further to say "The Trust is committed to working in partnership with local communities and partner organisations in the interests of vulnerable people within its community".

Catering on the day was provided by Loaf a new corporate catering endeavour run by the NOW Project, which operates out of state of the art kitchens in West Belfast’s Maureen Sheehan Health and Wellbeing Centre. The NOW Project delivers high quality training and employment services, which enable people with learning disabilities living in North and West Belfast to get the job they want and keep it. The focus is firmly on healthy eating, with Loaf aiming to provide organisations across the North and West of the city with a corporate catering option that is both locally produced and nutritious, under their slogan "fresh food every time".
For further information, please contact:

Ann-Marie McCormick
Programme Manager
Upper Springfield Development Trust
689 Springfield Road
Belfast BT12 7FP
028 90 236677