SHINE Northern Ireland Newsletter

NI Newsletter Registered Charity No. 249338

GREASE

From curtain up to the final encore we thoroughly enjoyed our night at GREASE in the Millennium Forum. The show was action packed with a few surprises in the production including an exploding car exhaust and plenty of special effects to keep us entertained!

The cast was brilliant and worked hard to put on a fantastic version of the GREASE story. But the moment we all looked forward to see was our very own Mary Byrne appearing, white curly wig and glittery suit and singing her heart out from a

raised platform. And that’s not all ...

Following the show, we were given a “Meet & Greet” with the cast and production team and every one of them, after a long night, came to spend some time talking to us all and posing for photographs (we weren’t posing of course!). Mary Byrne was in big demand and nobody was in any rush so we made the most of photo opportunities as you can see!

I have written a letter of thanks to the Millennium Forum staff and to the cast of GREASE for making sure we had a great night out. Keeping an eye on Autumn programme – CHICAGO on it’s way!

Peace Bridge Event

Meet at Ebrington Square at 11am for a really exciting event and WEAR SOMETHING YELLOW. We will be doing a film for YouTube on the day and it will be posted on to our site at shinecharity.org.uk

Shine Northern Ireland PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWA Email: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk Contact no: 01733 555988 www.shinecharity.org.uk

Saturday 5th May 2012 Peace Bridge - Londonderry/Derry 11am - 12pm

young people making the transition from school to further education/employment. I carried out my own research and found that there is a lack of communication, information, training, and understanding between agencies and resources which can limit options.

Dolores Black I was thrilled to be appointed as a project worker to the Spina bifida • Hydrocephalus • Information • Networking • Equality - SHINE NI team on 5th March. It is an honour to work with such a decitated, hardworking, and committed team and members. My role as project worker will involve developing services-user groups according to interest/need, supporting existing groups, and providing any relevant training that is seen to be beneficial.

In addition I am here to offer confidential support and information on any concerns or issues members may have, through home visits, telephone contact etc. I am looking forward to meeting members, families, carers, and welcome your calls, ideas etc.

My background is in social work. I have worked as a social worker in both adult and children’s disability teams for 15 years. Subsequently I have gained a level of understanding into the stresses and issues that people with disabilities of all ages, their families and carers have to deal with on a daily basis. Throughout my many years’ experience I have identified a gap in services for

In addition to my social work role I have been working as a learning support mentor. This has provided me with the opportunity to work on a one-to-one basis with young people who have learning and physical disabilities. By Identifying needs, I provide advice and information to other professionals about implementing reasonable adjustments to ensure inclusive learning.

I left social work in 2008 and joined the voluntary sector. I worked for two years as a family support worker with the National Autistic Society. This provided me with the opportunity to develop services and training to meet needs that the statutory sector are unable to provide.

I have personal experience of having a sister with a disability. Experiencing first hand some of the social barriers, negative attitudes and stigma faced by people with disabilities, has given me a drive to empower and enable people to reach their potential and achieve their goals.

I am really looking forward to getting out there in the field, so to speak, meeting you all and hearing about the everyday issues that are relevant to you.

I am hoping to assist with arranging a family fun day on the 16th June in the Valley Leisure Centre.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me on: E. dolores.black@shinecharity.org.uk T. 02890814116 M. 07816966866 Best Wishes Dolores

Magherafelt Parents Group Mid Ulster Adults Group.

A group of parents of children who have spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus from Magherafelt and surrounding areas have been meeting in the Meadowvale Leisure Complex in Magherafelt.

This provides an environment for parents to discuss various topics related to their children’s condition. Siblings are also welcome.

We are organising an outing to a local donkey sanctuary in July, for more details contact Pamela on: T. 028 25652273 E. pamela.dickey@shinecharity.org.uk

Shine Adult members from the Mid Ulster and surrounding areas have met on a number of occasions in the past few months in Cookstown.

We have held events such as Bowling, Boccaccio, New Age Curling and a social night out. Members have enjoyed these nights and have requested that there are more of these events organised in the future. Some of the group attended “Blood Brothers” in the Opera House in Belfast with Shine Members from other adult groups in April.

Any member interested in joining this group can contact Pamela on: T. 028 25652273 E. pamela.dickey@shinecharity.org.uk

Coleraine Young Adults Group During the month of February 2012, a four-week course took place between the Lodge Hotel and the University of Ulster Sports Complex, Coleraine. This course was aimed at young adult members of Shine from Coleraine and surrounding areas.

The course was well attended with 8 Shine members taking part.

Lisa law

Week one looked at the conditions of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and how each person can be affected individually. There was lively discussion among the group on their experiences and time was allocated for individuals who had more personal questions at the end of the night.

Hello! For those of you who don’t know me already my name is Lisa Law. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as a new member of the Shine Adult Member’s Council (SAMC), representing Northern Ireland.

Week two looked at the importance of diet and healthy eating. Continence, skin care and folic acid were also discussed briefly. Members had an opportunity to try out Pamela’s home-made smoothies which went down very well!

It is my responsibility to act as a communication channel between the adult members here in Northern Ireland, and at national level. This is an exciting development as it is the first time NI adult members have had a representative. I have witnessed first-hand the eagerness of the members in Northern Ireland to get involved in and support the work of Shine and as a fellow member who benefits from the Shine NI team I want to say thank you and keep up the momentum.

I am here to work for the adult members too.

Week three was held in the University Sports Complex.

Once again members had the opportunity to try out different sports including table tennis, basket-ball and new age curling.

Everyone enjoyed the night and requested that more events like this be organised.

Since taking my place on the council I have had productive discussions as to how I can communicate with any adult member here in Northern Ireland and encourage the promotion of Shine throughout the province, both with members of the council and locally. So far this has included the promotion of the work of Shine through fundraising through sponsorship for the upcoming ‘Shine Across the Bridge’ event on 5th May, encouraging primary schools in my local area to hold a Benny Bear Birthday Party and possibly a province-wide media work involving interested members willing to share their stories.

I will be getting out and around our adult groups in the coming days to meet as many of you as possible; in the meantime anyone who believes there is something we are missing, or feels we should be directing our energies towards any other issue, can contact me on 028 94464435 or 07851142111 or find me on Facebook. An email address will follow in my next update.

The final week looked at self-esteem and the importance of looking after our mental health as well as our physical health. Two volunteers from the Beauty Department in Coleraine College of Further Education gave a demonstration on good skin care. Hand massages, and nail painting were also available.

The evaluations were very positive and new friends were made among the group. It is hoped to repeat a similar programme to this in other areas of N. Ireland

Forthcoming Events

For more information on any of these events Email: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk or Contact no: 01733 555988

May 2012 2 3 5 9 10 24 27 31

Foyle Toddlers Group Omagh Group Foyle Peace Bridge Event and Fun Day Lurgan Group Enniskillen Group Foyle Parents Group Belfast Forum Multi sports - Magee

June 2012 2 Wheelchair Basket ball - Magee 6 Foyle Toddlers Group 7 Omagh Group 13 Lurgan group 14 Enniskillen Group 16 Wheelchair Basket Ball – Magee 16 Fun Day Valley Leisure Centre 21 Multisport - Magee 28 Foyle Parrnts group 30 Wheelchair Basket Ball

Challenge Karen Shine supporter Karen Tilson is raising money for the charity by undertaking a variety of unusual challenges.

So far ‘Challenge Karen’ has included learning 100 words of German, swimming 100 widths, and reading 100 books. With more challeges and a fundraising ‘Cinema Night’ planned Karen is well on her way to raising her target of £1000 for Shine.

Thank you Karen!

Fundraising round-up Fundraising - Eglinton Vintage rally. The Eglinton Classic Car Rally was held on 1 April in the City of Derry Rugby Club. There was a brilliant

turn out at the event and some amazing cars. We were chosen by the Club as their Charity of the Year - more information later about how much we received. Thanks to Martin Henderson our Member who is also a member of the Eglinton classic Car Club.

If you haven’t already joined us on facebook ‘like’ us today at www.facebook.com/shineUKcharity