View issue 22

Social Affairs magazine for community/voluntary sector Website: viewdigital.org

VIEW

Issue 22, 2014

MISERY AHEAD IF STORMONT PASSES WELFARE REFORM BILL SEE PAGES FOUR AND FIVE

VIEW

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

Celebration

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Salaries hearing

CONTENTS

Page 6 A vital project which supports men is celebrating after winning a prestigious all-Ireland award

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Page 17 The pay of top people in the Republic’s community/voluntary sector was raised at a Dail hearing recently

Advice tips

Help for youth

Pages 8-15 The community/voluntary sector and journalists met recently for a speedmatching event in Belfast, see image right

Page 18 Lucy Gollogly reports on a project at Ardoyne Youth Club which is aimed at helping young people to develop their skills

Rural support

On the move

Page 16 A new group to support women in rural areas and the disadvantaged has been launched in Northern Ireland

PHoToLinE Photographer Kevin cooper has more than 25 years experience in Press and Pr photography. Kevin works to a wide range of clients in community and voluntary sector organisations as well as the trade union movement.

For quoTaTions conTacT Kevin cooper E: photoline@supanet.com T: 028 90777299 M: 07712044751

Page 19 Andrea Begley, above, lends a helping hand to RNIB director David Galloway as the organisation prepares to move into new offices

Editorial

VIEW, the online publication for the community/voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

I

will always remember my first ‘appearance’ on the Stephen Nolan show on BBC Radio Ulster.

It happened recently when the producers of the show asked if I would debate the Welfare Reform Bill with the chairman of the Northern Ireland Conservative Party, Irwin Armstrong.

I went head-to-head with Nolan, followed by Mr Armstrong as I travelled in the front of a taxi on the M1.

One of the reasons I was asked to take part in the show was because of a blog I had written for our website, titled, ‘Can we kill the Welfare Reform Bill in Northern Ireland?’

One of the things that particulary annoyed me was

VIEW executive editor Brian Pelan when Mr Armstrong referred to many on unemployment benefit as having “a lifestyle choice”.

This type of language used when referring to the jobless has a corrosive effect over time.

It is also a myth that

people would ‘chose’ to be unemployed if proper jobs paying a decent salary were on offer.

The question, ‘Can we kill the Welfare Reform Bill’ is something that all those who oppose it have to ask themselves.

Already people are being subjected to a wave of threats in the form of financial penalties if the Bill is not passed.

Whilst there has been a number of protest meetings held at various venues throughout Northern Ireland, we have still to witness a co-ordinated effort between the trade unions and other groups to build an effective campaign.

Time is not on their side.

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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Pete Burns from XSLF with Clare Bailey, Green Party; Kellie O'Dowd from Reclaim the Agenda and comedian Nuala McKeever at the Stormont launch of the Alternative Ms Ulster pageant, which will take place on March 8 at Stormont as part of International Women’s Day 2014

Sending a message to Stormont for International Women’s Day

A Day.

pageant with a difference is taking place in Stormont on March 8 to celebrate International Women’s

A group of women from all walks of life will take part in Alternative Ms Ulster to demand improvements that will lead to equality of the sexes in Northern Ireland.

They will be accompanied by XSLF, former members of legendary Belfast band Stiff Little Fingers, who will play their famous punk anthem ‘Alternative Ulster’.

The event is being hosted by the Green Party NI and women’s collective Reclaim the Agenda to highlight the barriers to full participation in public life

faced by women in Northern Ireland.

Event organiser Clare Bailey said the women would be sending a clear message to Northern Ireland’s decision-makers and politicians.

She said: “A key principal of the Good Friday Agreement is equality for all people.

But when we look at the statistics, it is clear that the number of women in public life is not increasing. In fact in some areas it is decreasing. Our Government is failing women and failing in its duty to promote equality for women.

“We have yet to see the childcare strategy, gender equality strategy and sexual orientation strategy, promised under the Programme for Government. This was

published in 2011 and set the goals of the NI Executive until 2015. We are now in 2014 and these fundamental issues appear to have been to shelved. This is not conducive for promoting equal opportunity to women in this new Northern Ireland.”

For more information about International Women’s Day events in Northern Ireland, check out www.facebook.com/InternationalWomensDayNorthernIreland or email helen@womenstec.com.

Places for Alternative Ms Ulster are limited at the event and if you would like take part in or want further information email Clare at: clare.bailey@party.niassembly.gov.uk or call 07543 296 402.

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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Welfare Reform: Decision day looming for MLAs at Stormont T

he debate over the Welfare Reform Bill in Northern Ireland has heated up in recent weeks.

DUP Finance Minister Simon Hamilton warned recently that he would have no option but to publish a list of cuts from every department to meet the potential £1bn cost of failing to introduce welfare reforms in Northern Ireland.

However, a Sinn Fein spokesman stated: “Sinn Fein's opposition to the Tory welfare cuts is well known. It has been articulated publicly by Martin McGuinness, Alex Maskey and many others. We are not prepared to acquiesce to the Tory agenda.

“We have sought to bring about significant change to the bill initially proposed by the DUP and DSD Minister Nelson McCausland in order to protect the most vulnerable and low paid in society. That work continues.”

In a recent BBC TV debate on The Nolan Show, Sinn Fein’s Alex Maskey said: “People have said kill the bill. It might make a good headline but we will be responsible.”

Recent stories which have highlighted severe hardship in the rest of the UK, where the Welfare Reform changes have already been implemented, point to the social upheavel and warnings of ‘misery” which Northern Ireland will face if the Welfare Reform Bill is approved by Stormont.

Thousands of young people have been forced to go without food or other essentials after their benefits were wrongly stopped under a “draconian” new sanctions regime, new research suggests.

MAIN CHANGES What are the changes to benefits being introduced in Northern Ireland?

• Introduction of Universal Credit • Introduction of Personal Independence Payment • Changes to Housing Benefit • Introduction of a Benefit Cap • End of the current Social Fund scheme which will be replaced by a new service called Discretionary Support • Changes to Employment and Support Allowance • Introduction of new Fraud and Error powers • Introduction of further sanctions and hardship measures Since the British government introduced more punitive benefit sanctions in October 2012, more than 45,000 young people have been hit with an incorrect penalty, according to analysis of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures.

A sanction can mean having welfare payments cut off entirely for a minimum of a month and as much as three years for “repeat offenders”.

The hardline system, which means people can end up cast adrift for accidentally missing an appointment, is thought to be one of the reasons behind the vast numbers turning to food banks.

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VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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Cathy McCart from Springwell House, left, with Diarmuid Moore from Man Matters, Siobhán Harding from Man Matters and Andy Quigley, a Man Matters learner

‘Without these courses I would have been dead – they have saved my life’

A

project that supports men in Northern Ireland is celebrating after winning a prestigious all-Ireland award for its work with adult learners.

Man Matters, which is led by the Workers’ Educational Association in partnership with Home-Start NI, the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland and Parenting NI, won an AONTAS

STAR Award in Dublin last week.

The STAR Awards ceremony is about acknowledging the work undertaken by adult learning projects throughout Ireland and Man Matters won in the Ulster category.

The award was accepted at the ceremony in the Doubletree Hotel by Andy Quigley, a Man Matters learner. Andy said:

“Without these courses I would have been dead – they saved my life.”

Mr Quigley added: “Focusing on education was the best antidote I ever came across to help me beat my addictions and improve my life.

“I got the learning bug and now feel like a sponge – I can’t get enough learning.”

Chance to win £50,000 for your community Do you have a bright idea about how £50,000 could improve your community?

Big Lottery Fund will be launching The People’s Millions competition again soon.

If you have an idea that could transform the lives of people in your community, don't let this opportunity pass you by.

If your project is shortlisted it will feature in a short film to be shown on

UTV. The public will get their chance to show support for a project which could win a prize of £50,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

But don’t be daunted – you will receive training and support to help you show off your project and hopefully win those all important votes.

If you have a great idea and want to explore whether the People's Millions is an option for you, Big Lottery Fund will be

holding an information session on March 11 in The MAC, 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast.

If you want to attend, please email enquiries.ni@biglotteryfund.org.uk to request a place and receive full details.

Remember to include your name, organisation, contact details and any access requirements (such as requiring large print materials or BSL interpreter) or any dietary requirements.

Practical advice and a sensitive personal approach. We pride ourselves on our unrivalled commitment to clients’ needs.

Edwards & Co. solicitors advises charities and the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland on a wide range of legal issues including charity creation, charitable status and constitutional matters, trading and commercial arrangements, employment law, finance, fundraising and property law, as well as dealing with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Our team offers a full range of legal services including mediation, wills,criminal law, clinical negligence and personal injury claims, as well as family/matrimonial work.

Contact Jenny and Teresa: Edwards & Co. Solicitors, 28 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA. Tel: (028) 9032 1863 Email: info@edwardsandcompany.co.uk Web: edwardsandcompany.co.uk

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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Getting your message across at speed matching night T

he annual speed-matching event run by VIEWdigital, NICVA, and The Law Centre and supported by the National Union of Journalists took place recently with eight community organisations taking part with media matches.

Speed-matching involves community and voluntary sector groups getting five minutes with a local journalist to pitch story ideas and get tips on how to engage better with the media.

VIEWdigital co-founder Una Murphy said: “I came across the speed-matching concept as a member of the London based Media Trust, a charity which links media professionals and Third Sector organisations. It seemed a simple way to bring journalists and community and voluntary sector organisations together and they were happy for me to use the idea in Belfast.

“I would like thank my journalism colleagues who have volunteered their time to take part in the speed-matching event and the continued support from the National Union of Journalists.”

“It has been great working again with Ursula O’Hare from the Law Centre and Elizabeth Hendron from NICVA to run another successful networking opportunity between journalists and Third Sector organisations. I hope everyone has gained new contacts and found out about interesting stories as a result of the event.”

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Facing the media: Staff from the community/voluntary sector with members of the media Images: MichaĂŤl Marie, www.michaelmarie.com

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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Broadcasting lecturer Julia Paul, left, with Sharon Curran, Contact

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Darren Ferguson from Beyond Skin

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emma toner colin neighbourhood partnership

Journalist Lucy Gollogly

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Clockwise, from above: Elizabeth Hendron, NICVA, left, with VIEW co-founder Una Murphy and Ursula O’Hare Law Centre in Belfast. BBC journalist Josephine Long; VIEW editor Brian Pelan; BBC NI Education and Arts cor Together For You project and former BBC NI Editor TV News Angelina Fusco

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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e, Law Centre NI at the speed-matching event at the rrespondent Maggie Taggart; Amanda Jones,

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VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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Back row, left to right; Helen Crickard, WOMEN’STEC; Anne McVicker, WRDA; Dr. Caroline Walsh, WSN; Rosie Mc Cann, FWIN; Margaret Logue, Derry WC and Majella Murphy, NIRWN. Front row, Karen Sweeney, TWN, left with Norma Shearer, TWN, and Martin Ireland-DSD Image: Kevin Cooper

Speaking up for women from rural and disadvantaged areas A

new consortium to support the needs of local women from rural and disadvantaged areas was launched recently in Belfast .

The Women’s Regional Consortium event took place at the Wellington Park Hotel, Malone Road, on Thursday, February 13. More than100 women attended and they shared their views on key topics such as welfare reform and women’s health.

The new consortium consists of seven women’s sector organisations from across Northern Ireland working in partnership together.

They are: Foyle Women’s Information Network (FWIN), Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA), Training for Women Network (TWN), Women’s Support Network (WSN), NI Rural Women’s

Network (NIRWN), WOMEN’S TEC and the Women’s Centre Derry.

The Women’s Regional Consortium will act as the established link between the government, statutory agencies and women in disadvantaged and rural areas, ensuring there is a continuous flow of information to and from all parties.

Five main areas of focus have been identified for the consortium: • Advocacy and leadership for women in disadvantaged and rural areas • Influence policy for women in disadvantaged and rural areas • Research for women in disadvantaged and rural areas • Service support for women in disadvantaged and rural areas • Engagement for women in disadvantaged and rural areas

WRDA director Anne McVicker said, “WRDA is delighted to be a partner in the Women’s Regional Consortium.

“Put simply this consortium is all about giving women in disadvantaged and rural areas a voice, and making sure that voice is heard.”

The Consortium was formed in response to a survey carried out by DSD and DARD which identified a need for greater support for women in disadvantaged and rural areas. It is funded by both departments.

• For more information please contact: Robyn Scott, WRDA Communications and Membership Worker, on 028 9023 0212 or info@wrda.net.

Website: www.wrda.net

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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Protesters outside the Andersonstown Leisure Centre in west Belfast recently, who where voicing their objections to plans to privatise a number of leisure centres by Belfast City Council. For more on this protest, see the video produced by Trade Union TV Ireland at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uo6V8iHvg8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Charity urged to reveal details about the salaries of senior staff The Public Accounts Committe (PAC) in the Republic said it is seeking legal advice on the publication of pay details of senior Rehab staff, after the Dail committee was given the information by the HSE, due to data protection issues.

PAC chairman John McGuinness earlier told the Rehab witnesses to “clear up” matters regarding any connection the charity may have had with the company Eco Solutions, with which former CEO of Rehab Frank Flannery and Joseph McCarthy, a brother of current Rehab CEO Angela Kerins, were involved.

However, the chairman described the recent hearing as constructive and said excellent information was provided.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald had earlier challenged Ms Kerins over her pay being more than the Taoiseach and the US President Barack Obama.

Ms Kerins said she was a private citizen, not paid by the taxpayer and does not intend to provide any further information on her personal pay.

Ms McDonald had asked her why her salary increased by €6,000 to €240,000 in the most recent figures on her salary.

She also asked Ms Kerins about the reduction in the provision of service fees which led to a number of employees going to the Labour Court.

Ms Kerins pointed out that that was resolved in the Labour Court in 2012.

Ms McDonald put it to the Rehab CEO that she was happy to recognise and align herself with public pay policy in front of the Labour Court and while in respect of her own salary, she took “a hard line view” that she was not “linked to the public service”.

Ms Kerins reiterated what she said in her opening statement that Rehab has “independent assessment of remuneration of the group management team within the Rehab group”.

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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‘Just because you live in north Belfast, it doesn’t mean you can’t be what you want to be’

Ardoyne Youth Club leader Thomas Turley is trying to create an atmosphere which young people can enjoy

Lucy Gollogly reports on a youth project in Ardoyne which is helping young people to develop their skills

T

he symbols of division are all around in north Belfast. A ‘peaceline’ – a fence topped with metal spikes – looms over Flax Street in the mainly nationalist Ardoyne, cutting it off from the Crumlin Road.

Just down the street clusters of young people are walking through the doors of Ardoyne Youth Club. The centre has recently been awarded £469,845 by the Big Lottery Fund for Breaking Through Barriers, a project helping young people at risk of falling into criminality.

The leader in charge, Thomas Turley, has personal experience of how intervention can steer a young person away from crime.

“As an 18-year-old living and growing up in Ardoyne, I got involved in some of the rioting one 12th of July. I was there, did it, got the T-shirt and paid the penalty,” he said. Thomas, now 30 and a dad-of-two, was given a community service order as a punishment and was referred to Ardoyne Youth Club. He went on to study youth work at university.

Now he tries to use his experience to stop young people from making the same

Support: Caitlin Ewing mistakes. “We try and create a family orientated atmosphere here where the young people can feel that we are fully supportive of them,” he said.

“I’d be quite open about my background with all the young people we work with.

“I feel that it’s relevant in terms of making them aware of the pitfalls.

“I don’t want young people from his area to go down the same route that I went down.”

Caitlin Ewing is one of the young people involved in the Breaking Through Barriers project.

“Breaking Through Barriers got me in touch with a careers advisor and she’s been helping me decide what to do,” she said.

“I’m really open minded at the moment – I’ll take anything going,” she said.

The 16-year-old has been gaining experience in youth work at the club.

Despite her modesty, Thomas said she, like the other young volunteers, is already an asset to the centre.

“Caitlin’s only 16 and her level of ability is fantastic,” he said. “As much as she thinks we’re supporting her, we’re gaining that support back.”

Thomas said he wants to continue to raise young people’s aspirations. “Just because you live in Northern Ireland or north Belfast or Ardoyne or wherever, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be what you want to be,” he said.

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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The Voice winner Andrea Begley helps RNIB NI director David Galloway in move to new offices

Andrea lends a hand as RNIB prepares for life in new office

A

fter almost 25 years situated at 40 Linenhall Street, Belfast, the Royal National Institute of Blind People Northern Ireland (RNIB NI) is moving to new offices in Belfast city centre.

The head office will relocate on Monday, March 31, to Victoria House, 15-17 Gloucester Street, Belfast.

The new office space will house over forty staff and volunteers. Care has been taken to ensure the new accommodation is fully accessible to disabled people.

Particular attention has been paid to meeting the needs of blind and partially sighted people.

The RNIB NI Shop will be situated on the ground floor of Victoria House with direct level access from Gloucester Street. Blind and partially sighted people and their families and friends and supporters, will be able to find advice and information, independent living aids and products at the new shop.

David Galloway, Director of RNIB Northern Ireland said: “After many years in Belfast's Linen Quarter we are very excited about the move.Victoria House offers improved access to our services as it is located between May Street and Chichester Street. “Our new modern offices will provide a hub from which we will develop our services in

the years ahead.

“Whilst many of us have great affection for the Linenhall Street building, our new home will better equip us to meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people for years to come.”

BBC’s The Voice winner Andrea Begley (RNIB NI Committee member), who was on hand to lend her support with the move, said: “I wish all RNIB's staff and volunteers the very best for the move to Victoria House,.

“Having had a tour of the new premises with David, I am sure that everyone using the building will enjoy this new accessible space.”

VIEW, issue 22, 2014

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The Big Picture Gemma McConnell takes a big leap as part of Opportunity Youth’s GRIT Plus experience. The image picture was taken at a selection day event at Belfast Activity Centre. To find out more about GRIT Plus, visit www.opportunityyouth.org Image: Pete Townshend If you would like your community/ voluntary organisation to be selected for The Big Picture in the next issue of VIEW, send images, marked ‘Big Picture entry’ to editorial@viewdigital.org

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Pupils Jasmine McQuade, Leah McGarvey and Emma Given, from St Theresa’s PS, Lenamore, in Derry participating in the schools education workshops at the Tower Museum in the city which where held as part of the events of the recent Holocaust Memorial Week Image: Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com

CHECK OUT OUR MASTERCLASSES VIEWdigital holds media training workshops at Cromac Regeneration Initiative (CRI) Belfast For further details, contact Valentina Mango at 07761 486585 or email her at marketing@viewdigital.org

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