GOD'S EYES PROJECT

This colourful design is based on “God’s eyes”, a craft item made in Mexico. “ Gods eyes" are traditionally made by fathers on the birth of a new child and are hung in the child’s bedroom as a symbol of love and protection. This piece was made by the Action on Disability Project Friday Morning art group and was donated to Pine Tree Manor, an elderly people’s fold which is also fondly known as “The Young Ones” group in Twinbrook Belfast! We hope it will add a bit of colour to their centre which currently has no artwork on the walls, and brighten up their lives.

Norther Ireland Children's Hospice

The Action on Disability Project in Partnership with Holy Family Youth Centre presented the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice with a cheque for £300 in December 2010.

The idea to make a donation to the charity came about after a number of the young people involved in the unique youth inclusion programme came together and discussed local news reports on television and radio concerning the possible closure or down grading of services for the hospice.

The young people were so concerned about the plight of the hospice that they decided to raise funds via a sponsered silence within the youth centre and the sale of cake and buns they had made specifically for the fundraisng event.

Holy Family Youth Centre Manger Martin Kelly explained "It is fantastic to see a number of young people with and without disabilities working together focusing on an initiative to help those less fortunate than themselves,and with so much negativity in regards to youth culture at present within our society these young people by their actions have potrayed a much brighter picture and an example for many young people to follow".

Hospice fundraising manager Siofra Healy wished to thank the young people from Action on Disability Project and Holy Family Youth Centre for their very kind donation.

BREAKING NEWS DRAMA SPECTECULAR

The Action on Disability Project drama group is extremely proud to announce that their new production Oh Mammy Mia (based on the movie Ma Ma Mia) will be showcased at the Grand Opera House Belfast on Sunday 14th August 2011.

The group which has had unprecedented success at the West Belfast festival with past productions including Grease Belfast Style and The Wizard Of Falls have now taken their unique style to the biggest stage in Northern Ireland. The production team have been busy fine tuning the final pieces of the jigsaw and a very excited Rachel Reid (Stage manager) said "We are very greatful to Michael Ockwell at the Grand Opera House for giving us the thumbs up for the production to take place in one of Northern Ireland's supreme venues,and I guess it's just now we all realize the enormity of what we have acheived and just how far this group of fantastic people have come".

TIckets for the event will be on sale soon at the Grand Opera House Box Office Belfast phone 02890241919 priced at £10 and £12.50 all proceeds will be in aid of the Action on Disability Project.

KIDS CLUB ZOO TRIP

The Action on Disability Project kids club visited Belfast Zoo this summer 2010 courtesy of an invite by The Challenge For Youth Project.A fantastic time was had by one and all with a barbecue, ice cream and crisps and drinks supplied by the Challenge for Youth staff and volunteers.A fantastic day out ensued for all.

The Action on Disability Project has formed an ongoing partnership with the Challenge for Youth Project over the past number of years with the kids club enjoying outings to Lady Dixon Park and various seasonal and Christmas parties.

Kids club member Stephen Clarke enthused "I wish we could do this every week ,this is brilliant"

Enough said and we are all very much looking forward to our next adventure with the Challenge for Youth Project.

£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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