Feature 8 and

The team at BookTrust NI

struggles, help promote feelings of wellbeing, inspire individuals and enhance language skills.’

‘It all started when we were clearing things away at Thorndale after Christmas and a discussion arose around encouraging children to read,’ she continues. ‘The Covid-19 pandemic and home-schooling set many children back in their reading and vocabulary and, for some families, parents do not know how to read with their children.’

That’s where BookTrust Northern Ireland (NI) stepped in – a dedicated organisation renowned for making a positive impact on children, families and communities through reading programmes.

‘We are delighted to be working with them,’ enthuses Amanda. ‘They have been amazing, especially in providing books in other languages, as we have at least a dozen nationalities represented here at Thorndale. Residents have expressed how they are keen for their children to continue to read in their mother tongue as well.’

‘We know the benefits children and families get from developing a love of books early in life,’ affirms Chris Eisenstadt, director of BookTrust NI. ‘This partnership with The Salvation Army enables us to put books directly into the hands of families. We have included a mix of old and new favourites and some are bilingual, representing a diverse range of cultural backgrounds.’

CARING FOR CREATION

Thorndale has also been stepping up with its residents to help fulfil the Army’s mission priority of ‘caring for creation’ through the launch of a recycling initiative for mixed recycling and food waste. Waste caddies have been distributed to residents’ homes to reduce the amount of food and general waste going to landfill sites. Thorndale also participates in a FareShare scheme with at least twice-weekly collections of food from Tesco, which would otherwise have been thrown away. These are distributed to residents and help those who are struggling to make ends meet.

CARING FOR COMMUNITIES

Amanda never ceases to be amazed at how God is working at Thorndale and through the community.

‘We receive generous donations of toys and clothing and fantastic support from local corps enabling us to provide emergency food parcels and welcome toiletry packs,’ she explains.

‘Belfast Sydenham and Lurgan Corps responded kindly when our emergency food cupboard became sparse and Belfast Temple kindly put together toiletry packs for new residents.’

Young people from these corps assisted in giving a play area a makeover recently, ready for use by families working with the parenting assessment programme.

Building relationships is paramount when journeying with residents.

‘A number of faiths and denominations are represented among the residents at the centre,’ says Amanda. ‘Conversations around beliefs and spirituality happen frequently and unexpectedly. I do not have to intentionally bring God into a conversation, he just turns up in some powerful moments.’

Residents are regularly signposted to other services and groups according to their needs. Some have attended parent-and-toddler groups and others have been accompanied to corps.

‘We continually encourage and develop connections between Thorndale and corps,’ explains Amanda. ‘During the summer, seven children from the centre had the exciting opportunity to experience the divisional junior camp, giving parents and children a muchneeded break. Plans are in place to resume a monthly Messy Church and weekly Bible-themed crafts club, along with a Kintsugi Hope wellbeing group.’

With all these initiatives, the goal remains the same: a supported return for families to their communities.

Amanda says: ‘We have a fantastic team and our two service managers, Lana Donaldson and Dawn Richardson, have over 55 years’ combined service here. We are proud of the stability and care the Lifehouse provides for its residents and the opportunities for families to develop and learn new skills and positive behaviours, which they can take with them when they transfer back to the wider community.’

LYN WOODS

Editorial Assistant Salvationist