AOD SOCCER TOURNAMENT 2012

On Wednesday 8th of August 2012 the Action on Disability football tournament commenced with the competition's competing teams vying to win the coveted and prestigious cup.

Corpus Christi Aspergers Club were the eventual winners of the tournament after a hard fought final with Mica Day Centre. The team had trained very hard throughout the year and their efforts were rewarded with the win they totally deserved.

Each Corpus team member will have the trophy home for an entire month and the guys are already starting to prepare themselves for the defence of their title next year.

Team member Tony Devlin beamed “We had a great day and really enjoyed the experience and we hope to win the tournament every year"
Everton team members all enthused "congratulations to Corpus, What a team"
Fort William Day-care Centre staff concluded "Fantastic Tournament"

AOD CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SUMMER SCHEME 2012

the Action on Disability children and young people's summer scheme 2012 was a tremondous success with a varying degree ativities to suit all ages and tastes.

Activities included;
Outings to Belfast Zoo, Fun Day at Lady Dixon Park,Glengormley Super Bowl, Newcastle, Crawfordsburn, Donkey Sanctuary and Dale farm were everyone enjoyed a scrumptious Barbeque .

Service user Sean Said "the summer scheme was class this year, great craic"
Youth Inclusion member Ciaran said "great meeting new people and new friends"
Service user katrina said "the best part of the summer scheme this year was Action on Disability barbeque in Crawfordsburn"
Youth Inclusion member Gary said "i really enjoyed bowling with all the guys , good times"

WHATS IN STORE?

The Action on Disability thrift shop Whats In Store had it's official launch on Wednesday 16th May 2012. A partnership between the Upper Sprinfield Development Trust and AOD will ensure a bargain will indeed be in store for all would be customers.Upper Spingfield Develepment Trust Manager Donal McKinney said " With the current economic climate I think the thrift shop is a fantastic and affordable commodity for the entire community,and with all proceeds going to Action on Disability charity everyone is a winner.

AOD service users Annie McKinney and Marie Smyth officially cut the bow for the offical opening and Marie explained"I have been going to the Action on Disability services for a long time and would like to thank the staff for everything,now I am off to get myself a new dress in the Whats In Store shop".

Annie Mckinney went on to say"I think it's great and would like to welcome everyone here to the opening of Whats In Store,so go and tell your friends pass the word for them to find out Whats In Store". The thrift shop will have something for everyone young and mature, girl and boy, sir and madame.Opening hours will be 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Anyone wishing to donate should contact the Upper Springfield Development Trust on 02890236677. The Action on Disability Project would like to thank everyone involved in the setting up and running of the shop. WHATS IN STORE

BELFAST MARATHON 2012

On Monday 7th May 2012 brothers Marty and Niall Heaney completed the Belfast City Marathon's grueling 26 miles course. Both brothers had embarked on the run as part of their idea to raise money for two Northern Ireland charities, Action on Disability and Downs and Proud. After finishing the course in a time of 3:38:17 Marty said "My brother Niall has been betting people he would beat me, well he tripped me up as I tried to go past him that's why his time of 3:32:42 beat my time". Niall completely denied Marty's claim saying his brother had just run out of juice and he had run the better race. The brother's made up later that evening and a few drinks of champagne later all was forgiven as both realised the race wasn't about them but about both charities. The Action on Disability Project would like to thank Marty and Niall for all their efforts and wish them both well in all their future endeavours.

NIALL'S PHOTO FINISH LINK: http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?new_search=1&event=Sports/CPUK/2012/Belfast%20Marathon&match=2610 MARTY'S PHOTO FINISH LINK: http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?new_search=1&event=Sports/CPUK/2012/Belfast%20Marathon&match=1488

HAPPY RETIREMENT TO THE INCOMPARABLE MARY DOYLE

ACTION ON DISABILITY PROJECT FORE RUNNER THE INCOMPARABLE MARY DOYLE RETIRED IN APRIL 2012. MARY COMMENCED HER WORK WITH AOD IN 2003 AS A CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT WORKER WITH VITAL SUPPORT NEEDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY.SHE ALSO PROVIDED INVALUABLE SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR MANY PARENTS AND CARERS WITHIN THE UPPER SPRINGFIELD AND WEST BELFAST AREA. MARY HAS DEMONSTRATED HUGE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OVER THESE YEARS. HER PRESCENCE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED NOT ONLY WITHIN THEW ACTION ON DISABILITY TEAM, BUT WITHIN THE UPPER SPRINGFIELD DEVELOPMENT TRUST AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN WEST BELFAST.

MANY PEOPLE KNOW AND HAVE THE GREATEST OF RESPECT FOR MARY AND SHE WILL BE A MASSIVE LOSS TO ALL.WE ARE INDEBTED TO HER FOR HER HARD WORK AND REPUTATION OF EXCELLENCE THAT SHE HAS INSTILLED IN ALL HER EFFORTS ON BELHALF OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE WISH MARY A VERY LONG AND HAPPY RETIREMENT AND ARE DELIGHTED THAT SHE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US IN A VOLUNTARY CAPICITY WITH THE ACTION ON DISABILITY THRIFT SHOP "WHATS IN STORE" WHICH WILL BE OPENING ITS DOORS ON WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY 2012.

THE ARTFUL DODGERS

Action on Disability Wednesday art group continues to amaze with its astounding visual creations.

The group is currently in the process of designing an exciting array of canvas paintings for the Action on Disability thrift shop which will be opening its doors to the general public in the Upper Springfield area in the coming months.

The thrift shop is currently looking for a name so anyone with suggestions should contact Action on Disability at the Upper Springfield Development Trust on 02890236677

ACTION ON DISABILITY BELFAST MARATHON MONDAY MAY 7th 2012

This years Belfast City Marathon 2012 promises to be a very special event for Action on Disability and Downs and Proud charities.

Brothers, Martin and Nialll Heaney will be embarking on a sponsored run challenge in this years event and both will be hoping to complete the grueling course with all funds raised being distrubuted to both chariities. Martin Heaney a keen sportsman explained,"Both charities have found the present financial climate extremely difficult with their funding being cut so Niall and I decided to step in and help by taking on the challenge of hopefully completing the Belfast Marathon on Monday 7th May 2012". Anyone wishing to help out can get sponsorship sheets from the Upper Springfield Development Trust (top of the Whiterock Road) or by phoning Action on DIsability on 02890236677

OUTREACH FLOATING SUPPORT

What Is Floating
Support Services?

A flexible housing related support service aimed at improving an individual’s quality
of life and enabling them to maintain their independence in their own home.


Action on Disability
Project can help:
• Provide a free confidential outreach
support service for people with a
physical / sensory disability or health
related condition
• Accessible in your own home or in the
community
• Available throughout North, West and
Shankill (Belfast)


Who Do We Support?
• Individuals living in North, West or Shankill
(Belfast)
• Individuals aged 18+ years of age
• Individuals with a physical / sensory
disability or health related condition e.g.
Brain Injury or Stroke etc
• Individuals that have acquired or recently
become disabled through accident or
trauma
Support
Offered:
• Safety and Security
• Physical Environment
• Life Skills
• Social Skills
• Financial & budgeting
• Resettlement

Floating Support
Referal
A referral can be made through:-
• Self referrals
• Social Services
• Community, voluntary agencies
• General Practitioners
• NIHE
Action on Disability
Project can help:
• Provide a free confidential outreach
support service for people with a
physical / sensory disability or health
related condition
• Accessible in your own home or in the
community
• Available throughout North, West and
Shankill (Belfast)


How Do I Apply
For Floating
Support?
Contact Floating Support Workers on:
(028) 9023 6677

FRIDAY EXPRESSIONS GROUP EXPRESS NEWS

The Action on Disability Project Friday Expression's group does exactly what it says on the tin by encouraging its service users to express themselves through art ,relaxation and heath and well being empowering users to become active citezens within their community.

The group coordinated by Action on Disability Staff member Roisin Laverty and Volunteer Geraldine O'Neill opperates every Friday afternoon from 2pm to 4 pm in Holy Trinity Basement.

The group are currently participating on a new project entittled The Sea Of Tranquility.

Service user Sean Brown said " I really enjoy attending the group as I enjoy it and it helps me to relax.

HOLY FAMILY YOUTH INCLUSION GROUP BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

The Holy Family Youth inclusion group had great reason for celebration as it was two of its members birthdays.
Lisa Stringer and Christopher Keenan enjoyed a night out at Flicks Restaraunt at the Yorkgate Centre with the rest of their friends on Tuesday 7th February 2012.

Christopher said"Its great to get out for a wee night with your friends and the food here is lovely"
Lisa Stringer enthused"I really ejoyed myself but the only thing missing was JLS who I am a big fan of".

Holy Family Youth Centre manager Martin Kelly said that the partnership with AOD had proved to be very successful and that he envisaged the partnership continuing in the near future.

The project operates every Tuesday evening at Holy Family YC from 7:30 to 9:30 and is open to all young people with a disabilty in North Belfast aged 12 to 17.
Anyone wishing to get some more information should contact a member of the Action on Disability Project staff on 02890236677

CHRISTMAS PARTY 2011

The Action on Disability Project Sunday social group and drama group held their annual Christmas party at Holy Trinity Family Centre on Sunday 18th December 2011.
There was music,laughter, food and a fantastic time was had by one and all.
The only thing missing was a collection of sofa beds for everyone to lay their heads upon after the meal.
Service user Gabriel Novotny explained "The food prepared by the Holy Trinity staff was beautiful but I have to say I coudn't move afterwards, my fault I suppose for eating so much".
The Sunday social group meets every Sunday at St Teresas Youth Club and is open to new members. Anyone wishing to join should contact a member of the Action on Disability Project staff on 02890236677.
The aod drama group also operates every Sunday at St Teresas Youth Centre and all new members are welcome.