Shine NI Newsletter - Issue 12

NI Newsletter Registered Charity No. 249338

Autumn 2013

Music For All 2013 This project was designed and developed around UK City of Culture’s (Derry/Londonderry 2013) Music Promise. It enabled children and young adults with spina bifida and hydrocephalus to engage in a project that was inclusive, allowing the participants to explore and develop existing musical skills and have the opportunity to perform in a public arena with family members and peers.

The project involved working with the Ulster Orchestra Educational Outreach Team and St Mary’s College Derry/Londonderry. The project offered the music students from the college the opportunity to work with the Ulster Orchestra, to mentor and support participants from Shine, whilst gaining an award from the Department of Education for Northern Ireland accredited Millennium Volunteer scheme. So there were many benefits for all involved.

This project gave a whole new experience to our members. There was a range of workshops using a variety of instruments, leading to the Continued on page 2

Shine Northern Ireland PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWA E: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk T: 01733 555988 www.shinecharity.org.uk

final public performance. Siblings and extended family members were able to participate in the project and this created a very positive experience for children and parents.

There have been a number of benefits for the music students taking part. This has been in their own musical development and in their

Adult Members Event We would like to invite all our adult members to a fun day out

Saturday 7th December From 10:30am-3:30pm

Belfast City Mission

3 Glengall Street, Belfast BT12 5A

Activities will include Boccia, team games, wheelchair basketball, music, Christmas arts & crafts, flower arranging, nail art, drum percussion & much more.

We will run a drumming workshop at the end of the event for anyone interesting in using or developing their musical skills.

This is a day out for adults to try something new, and meet other members within the Shine community.

personal development in assisting and offering friendship to our members throughout the project. The Ulster Orchestra players mentioned how the uniqueness of this project has added to their own enjoyment and satisfaction.

We have worked through a wide variety of pieces and this exposure to new music and sounds has been wonderful. The personal benefits to the participants with spina bifida and hydrocephalus are many, not least in the confidence it has given them to see how they are equally able to participate and perform with their peers. This is a legacy we hope will stay with them the rest of their lives.

We would like to acknowledge the funding provided by The Big Lottery, Arts Council for Northern Ireland and City of Culture - without this we could never have run this project.

There was great fun and joy for all involved.

Education Update

Catherine McCurry the Education Adviser for Shine NI, represents the charity in relation to our membership of the Children with Disabilities Strategic Alliance.

She has been actively involved with the Alliance and with the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People, in meeting the Minister of Education John O’Dowd and the Education Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly, in a bid to persuade the former to modify the proposed changes to the Special Education System.

These changes were due to be finalised by September 2013. However, in recent weeks it has become apparent that this will be delayed for some months. This has presented the Alliance with additional time and opportunities to liaise further with the Department of Education and the Minister for Education to press for considerable modifications to the proposed new legislation, and Catherine is very actively involved in the process as Shine’s representative.

The current system for supporting children and young people with special education needs is

Family Adventure in Share Centre Enniskillen Shine is organising a weekend residential on

4th- 6th April 2014

for children between the ages of 10-16 and their families.

Activities will include: l canoeing l archery l team challenges and much more.

There are still places available and if you are interested, please contact your Support and Development Worker as soon as possible.

outlined in an information booklet devised by the Shine Team and parent representatives.

Do not hesitate to contact your Support and Development Worker and they can direct you to our Education Service.

Alternatively the Education Adviser can be contacted directly by T: 02890 830382 M: 07789616486 or at E: catherine.mccurry@shinecharity.org.uk As well as her role in the Alliance, Catherine is currently supporting 130 families who have children and young people with spina bifida and/ or hydrocephalus in mainstream and special schools across Northern Ireland.

She provides information about all aspects of the educational system, from pre- nursery school education through to further and higher education so that everyone with spina bifida and hydrocephalus can access all that the education system offers on a par with their non–disabled peers.

In addition, and in conjunction with our Health Adviser Marie McGonnell, she delivers training and support to schools, teachers and the full range of education professionals, so that every child and young person with these medical conditions is enabled to develop to their full academic and social potential, irrespective of whatever educational context they attend.

If you or the young person in your care would benefit from information and /or support, make contact now.

Fundraising round-up Seagate have been in Derry/Londonderry for 20 years, and as part of their celebration they are giving £1,000 each month during 2013 to a charity. Shine received their August 2013 donation. Thank you to Martin Bell who put us forward for this award.

Northern Ireland Wear Yellow and Shine

The Julie Evans School of Dancing were celebrating 20 years of dance. They held a Jigs and Reels event and Shine was chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the event.

Our very own Health Adviser Marie McGonnell donned her pumps and tap shoes and became a river dance legend! Thank you Marie - I hope your ankles have recovered.

Contact details for Shine NI

Cathy McKillop, NI Director Shine E: cathy.mckillop@shinecharity.org.uk T: 07762574861 Marie McGonnell, Health Adviser E: marie.mcgonnell@shinecharity.org.uk T: 07789616420 Catherine McCurry, Education Adviser E: catherine.mccurry@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 90830382 Postal Address: Shine Northern Ireland, PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWA

First Contact T: 01733 555988 Pamela Dickey

E: pamela.dickey@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 25861820/07816966863

Sandra Campbell E: sandra.campbell@shinecharity.org.uk

T: 028 71359900/07789616451 Irene Kean

E: irene.kean@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 90423067/07525965434

Dolores Black

E: dolores.black@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 90814116 /07816966866

Janet Davidson

E: janet.davidson@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 40662868

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