Families First People and Business Awards 2019

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FAMILIES FIRST

PEOPLE & BUSINESS AWARDS TWENTY-NINETEEN

Inspired kids need inspirational leaders At Snuggles, we know we’ve got a really important job on our hands. Every day, we try to make sure that we set a great example for the children and families that we work with. We teach them the value of teamwork, of community, and the importance of working together in order to achieve their goals and dreams.

That’s why we’re delighted to tell you that Laura Sykes, our owner, has been shortlisted for the Families First Mighty Woman award this year, in recognition of the hard work she puts into her charitable efforts as well as running several successful businesses including our a fabulous nursery here in Bangor.

Good luck Laura from all of the staff - and the kids have all got their fingers crossed as well!

Snuggles Day Nursery, 1A Church Avenue Bangor, County Down BT20 3EQ 02891 272 900

info@snugglesdaynursery.co.uk

snugglesdaynursery.co.uk

“My visit to Denturecare Express was a very pleasant experience.

The extremely high standard of expertise and professional service I received from John McIlveen and his staff meant that I left the practice with full confidence that I had received the best!!�

Mertie Hodgson

John has been working in the dental profession for over 50 years and became the first clinical dental technician in Northern Ireland legally allowed to make dentures to the public without having to go through a dentist. He is truly passionate about what he does, and is 100% invested in every patient to walk through the door, he approaches his work with a holistic view, and is outstanding with his patients and always takes their needs into account and will work in a manner to make sure everyone receives the best possible treatment while in his practice. John has done many courses over the years to get to where he is now (at almost 70) and has no intention of stopping learning and growing to provide the very best in dental treatment.

Email:- reception@denturecareexpress.co.uk Tel No:- 028 91823095

INTRODUCTION Welcome everyone.

The Families First Awards are in their tenth year, and this year we hold our first People and Business Awards.

Our highly anticpated awards had a humble beginning hosting a ceremony to just over one hundred attendees, now our events attract almost two and a half thousand attendees per year.

As ever, this year nominations have come in thick and fast.

So many wonderful people and businesses have been brought to our attention. People and businesses who have gone above and beyond their duty to make life a bit easier for familiy life. Our website platform welcomes and encourages comments and stories about all of our finalists - it’s wonderful for us to read all of these

inspiring writings. Many stories would bring a tear to your eye, others are absolutely heartwarming.

All of our finalists listed in this book have demonstrated a positive desire to help others, so whether they come first place or not - they are all winners to us.

Have a great night,

Ann and the team

FINALISTS

INNOVATION IN BUSINESS AUQADOG HYDROTHERAPY We make hydrotherapy affordable and our aim is always to give the dog as much pain relief as possible and help keep them with their owner that bit longer.

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FINALISTS

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR KIDS & FAMILIES SENSORY KIDS Sensory Kids is a unique service, provided by qualified staff, where children and adults with sensory challenges can play, discover and enjoy a total sensory experience.

THE TRANSFER TUTOR (ONLINE QUIZZES FOR AQE & GL)

The Transfer Tutor offers a fun, interactive and fantastic way for children to learn and revise for the AQE / GL test. I also run a very successful Facebook Support Group to try to guide and support parents through the transfer process.

JUMPING CLAY At Jumping Clay I provide workshop activities for schools, community groups, special needs groups, private birthday parties and events. The aim is to be creative, fun, caring and professional.

PARTYBOX PIXIES In June 2017 we opened our shop in Lisburn and have gone from strength to strength. We supply all party supplies, party favours, decorations and balloons. Our ethos is all about customer service from the moment you come into the shop.

SWIMMING BUDDIES At Swimming Buddies we aim to help all our buddies reach their full potential in swimming and stay safe in the water while making some new friends along the way.

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FINALISTS

BEST FAMILY WEDDING SUPPLIER CREATIVE JEMZ Creative Jemz started bussiness in 2008,in 2011 I took the plunge and went full time.Since 2016 we have had three Northern Ireland front covers.

Our biggest Achievement was in 2016, we became international artists and got front cover in New York for Surreal Magazine, also our work was published in Spain bridal magazine.

We have won an array of awards over the years. For 2019 we are working with a lot of charitys. We are all working mummys. I have over 25 Brides this year and travel far and wide.

MONTGOMERY MEDIA We go further than most videographers. We become a part of your day in a way that can enhance it. We often get feedback that we helped relieve nerves and helped create a fun atmosphere and in turn we feel like an honorary member of the family or wedding party by default. We love our reviews so please go to our facebook page to read through some and you will get an understanding of the positive impact we can have on your big day.

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FINALISTS

BEST FAMILY BUSINESS BEN’S ICE CREAM STUDIO

BeN’s

BEN’S is a local spot where you, family & friends can go and take a few moments away from the day-to-day stresses. A place where you can treat yourself, as well as treat others. A place where we can come together, share stories and create experiences. BEN’S is more than an ice cream shop, it’s a community.

GILLENS GREEN GROCERS

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Gillens Greengrocers was opened in Enniskillen in the 1970’s by the Gillen Family. We pride ourselves on providing first class produce to our shop and wholesale customers. The quality of our produce and the service we provide is second to none. Nothing is too much trouble, we do our best to ensure that all customers are happy.

SCOTCH STREET FILLING STATION We are a family run business, and have been in the same location for nearly sixty years. We have been serving the community faithfully and buying locally where possible. We hope to continue to do so for many years to come.

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FINALISTS

BEST BUSINESS SUPPORTING CHILDCARE MOON AND SPOON We supply wholesome and delicious dishes to creches and Afterschools across the country.

Our aim is: To help establish healthy eating habits in young children so that they may make better choices later in life and help set the foundations for this at a very young age.

LEARNING SPACE Learning SPACE specialises in educational and sensory resources, providing a wide range of exciting toys, games, puppets, software and books.

In fact, we provide almost any product which captivates, inspires and educates children!

We offer special needs toys, traditional and developmental toys. We also have an extensive range of toys and aids to help with Autism, Downs Syndrome, Dyslexia and many more disabilities.

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FINALISTS

WOMAN IN BUSINESS LISA / GERI - FACE THERAPY NI Facetherapy NI started as a small family run business in 2016. Myself (Lisa) being the aesthetics nurse and my wife Geri being the manager, company director and the main driver behind the business! Facetherapy is more than just a business for me and my wife, we have dedicated so much of our time, energy and effort to it because it is our passion and we love this industry. We love being able to provide our clients with a little bit more confidence and self-esteem.

AINE WALLACE - FRESHMINDS EDUCATION

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Aine, owner of Freshminds said that her first job taught her: “I learned to appreciate that nothing happens without a whole team”, and her advice for anyone folling in her career would be: “If we are truly to help people liberate themselves, we must first show them they way”.

SHARON KERR - POISE AND PRESENTS “At the core of my business are two things I’m very proud of. Attention to detail and great quality workmanship in all that I create, and a great customer service experience. My reviews reflect my ethos I’m glad to say”.

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KELLY MOLLOY - WEE CHICKS Kelly, owner at Wee Chicks, she studied at Belfast Met. Her advice for anyone wanting to succeed is: “Have passion in what you do it will never seem like work”.

JENNIE WALLACE - BEYOND SKIN

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Jennie, co-owner at Beyond Skin studied at Queens University. Her advice for anyone in business is: “Always hire people smarter than you”.

GAIL - SPLAT MESSY PLAY LISBURN AND SURROUNDING Gail, owner at Splat Messy Play Lisburn and Surrounding, achieved a BA (HONS) 2.1 Qualification. Her advice for those following in her career would be: “Plan ahead and make sure your family takes priority.”.

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FINALISTS

SPONSORED BY:

AMAZING WOMAN IN EDUCATION A GOURLEY - VICTORIA PARK PS Andrea Gourley began her career as teacher and Head of Music in Orangefield PS, and is currently head-teacher at Victoria PS. Her advice would be: “Respect. Treat everyone with respect, no matter what their job title is. Parents too, even those who want to complain and wear you down, respect and be professional.”

L KNOCKER - BALLYHENRY PS

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Lynn Knocker’s first job was as a lifeguard, these days she teaches at Ballyhenry PS. Her advice to anyone following in her career would be: “Teaching is the best job! Every day you can make a difference. Remember some days it will be a big difference other times it will be the little things that matter. Take time for yourself so that you have the energy, enthusiasm and smile to make it through the day.”

A STEVENSON - TONAGH PS Alison Stevenson started off her career as a primary 7 teacher, and is currently headteacher at Tonagh PS. Her advice would be: “Teaching is the most wonderful profession as you can watch children blossom and grow in to whatever they aspire to be.”

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A BOVILL - ANDREWS MEMORIAL Alison Bovill began her career as a teacher at Crawfordsburn Primary School and currently teaches at Andrews Memorial. Her advice would be: “Getting to know the children you are working with every day and showing them care and respect is as important as the academic subjects you are to teach them”.

C CRUIKS - ST BERNARD’S PS Ciara Cruiks started her career as a primary 7 teacher and is currently head-teacher at St. Bernard’s Primary School. Her advice would be: “Do it, throw yourself into every experience teaching offers you, give it 100% and serve the pupils and parents as best you can. Think about others when you are making decisions as that is what the essence of teaching is all about.”

E QUINN - RATHCOOL PS Emma Quinn is head-teacher at Rathcool Primary School, her advice would be: “Go for it – you are in teaching for a reason – because you care for the children and what them to achieve the best they can. Use every opportunity as a learning curve – don’t wait for them to land on your lap. Seek out opportunities and don’t be scared to take that leap of faith.”

M TENNYSON - ST JOHN’S EGLISH Maura Tennyson, principal at St. John’s Eglish.

The advice she would offer to anyone thinking of following in her career footsteps would be: “Be a team player. Be patient with yourself and your learners. Recognise no one is perfect, it’s okay to make mistakes and it’s even better when you learn from them.”

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FINALISTS

AMAZING MAN IN EDUCATION C MILLAR - KILLARD HOUSE Colin Millar’s first job was at Castle Gardens Primary School Newtownards, he is now principal at Killard House.

C LAVERY - ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE The best advice anyone ever gave Colum was ‘You get two names in life, the first is the one your parents christen you with and the second is the one you make for yourself.’

M MORELAND - MERCY COLLEGE Martin Moreland’s first job was as an engineer, he is now principal Mercy College Belfast.

P MCCANN - ST VINCENT’S Best advice anyone ever gave Paul: “if you work hard and put the miles in now it will pay off later”.

B MCGRATH - ST RONAN’S Brian began teaching in Sligo and Fermanagh.

He is currently Principal of St. Ronan’s Primary and Nursery School in Lisnaskea.

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FINALISTS

BEST NON-LICENSED FAMILY EATERY STEPPING STONES, LISBURN We operate five social enterprises in Lisburn and Newtownards. Each business serves as a realistic training platform for people with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, a learning difficulty or learning disability. Our cafe staff are skilled in their field of catering and hospitality. They train and supervise our trainees in customer service and food preparation with some of our trainees working towards NVQ qualifications.

ASHVALE FARM SHOP AND TEA ROOM, LISBURN

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Owned by local landowner and entrepreneur Edward Herron, Ashvale Farm Shop is dedicated to providing a quality customer-focussed premium end farm shop experience to the people of Lisburn and visitors to the area.Our recently extended restaurant is proving very popular for breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. So please call in next time you are passing and try some of our freshly home cooked food.

THE TEA ROOM, FINAGHY Located in the heart of Finaghy, The Tea Room offers our visitors beautiful loose leaf Suki Tea, barrista coffee and gorgeous homemade food and treats.

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FINALISTS

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR UNIQUE HOME CARE NI Quality care at home provided by highly skilled and experienced care staff, putting the service user at the centre off their care plan.

UNIQUE CARE TO UNIQUE PEOPLE IN A UNIQUE WAY! Call 02897 52 88 55

BUILDING BLOCKS Building Blocks Day Nursery has been open for five and a half years and has grown from strength to strength since opening. We cater for children ages 3 months to 12 years old with all needs catered for. Providing the highest level of care is at the forefront of everything we do, along with working in partnership with parents. We are now at full capacity with a waiting list and this is testament to the amazing staff we have going above an beyond at every opportunity.

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FINALISTS

SUPPORTING WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY BREASTIVAL Breastival exists to normalise, celebrate and suppor t breastfeeding in Nor thern Ireland.

PYPD EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN

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This project works with a total 40 individual young women aged 16-24 who are most excluded from education or the labour market (20 PUL, 20 CRN).

The project has been designed to provide a one to one mentoring programme that will assign a young woman to a specific youth worker in order for trust to be built and a positive working relationship to be formed. The young woman are supported into education/training in order to help set goals and work towards reaching their potential.

LMA FITNESS & NUTRITION My goal from day one has always been to empower and support woman to live the healthiest, most empowered & confident life they can, to not only have a positive impact on them but to also provide healthy & empowering values and examples to their families & children.

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FINALISTS

GOLDSTAR Involvement in the community

PERSONAL HEALTH AND FITNESS We are not here for just Physical health & fitness purposes. A persons Mental Health is just as important as their physical health.

“HEALTHY MIND – HEALTHY BODY”

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FINALISTS

GOLDSTAR Giving dignity to children

DAVE LINTON @ MADLUG The cost of every bag in our shop covers: a free bag for a child in care and the item you choose. We worked with Care experienced young people and Health Trusts to develop a giving bag that is centred around the needs of children in care.

The bag itself is unbranded to avoid stigma. It folds away to fit neatly into a sock drawer or a Social Worker’s car boot without wasting storage space. And each bag has a label that says “You are incredible” to remind every child that they have value, worth and dignity.

Prior to beginning his journey with Madlug, Dave was a youth worker for over 20 years. and for the past three years he has also become heavily involved in mentoring and raising awareness of social enterprises.

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FINALISTS

GOLDSTAR Services to children

AUTISM NI Autism NI is Nor thern Ireland’s longes t es tablished autism charity.

Formed in 1990 by parents and professionals, we exis t to suppor t individuals with autism and their families and campaign to raise awareness of autism in the wider society. The charity provides life changing ser vices for the 30,000 people living with the daily challenges of autism in Nor thern Ireland.

Autism NI’s vision is an equal society in Nor thern Ireland where barriers to those living with autism are removed and equality of access to rights and oppor tunities are protected and enforced.

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FINALISTS

GOLDSTAR Services to women KILCOOLEY WOMENS CENTRE Our mission is to creative high quality affordable childcare, which will benefit every child and help them reach their full potential and for parents, to enable them to progress in their career in the knowledge that their child is in the best possible place.

GOLDSTAR Best family park CARNFUNNOCK COUNTRY PARK Carnfunnock Country Park in Larne is packed full of exciting and unusual attractions set within 191 hectares of mixed woodland, colourful gardens, walking trails and spectacular coastline, offering panoramic views of the Antrim Coast and North Channel.

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Wee Chicks Building stronger minds for a healthier future Age 4-104 - Fitness Programmes - Afterschools Club - Mobile Childcare - Holiday Camps - Healthy Choices Programmes - Bespoke Programmes - Mindfulness Programme - Creche Wee Chicks delivers empowerment, motivation, health awareness and parenting programmes to businesses, schools and community organisations. Contact us for long term or short term collaboration opportunities.

Contact Kelly 07746169489 | info@weechicks.com #WeeChicks

FINALISTS

GOLDSTAR Services to the elderly

HEALTHCARE IRELAND “Redefining the standards in the Care Home Sector” We aim to accomplish this by focusing on the privacy and dignity of our individual residents whilst providing 5* quality care within Hotel living standard facilities.

Healthcare Ireland Group consist of the following homes:* Bradley Manor * Railway Lodge Care Home. * Slemish Nursing Home * Braefield Nursing Home We focus on person centred care focussing fully on the individual.

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FINALISTS

BEST NEW BUSINESS ACE IT ACADEMY Our mission is to give all of our pupils an outstanding education which enables them to explore, think, discover, create and achieve and so realise their full potential.

FAMILY FUN NI Family Fun NI is a voluntary organisation run by two mums. Our aim is to provide all the information that parents/ carers could need, all in one place.

BOOGIE BEAT MUSIC & MOVEMENT We are a high energy class focused on bringing stories to life with Illustrations, puppets and music promoting social, personal and emotional development through song dance and imaginative play.

COLOURS PAINT YOUR OWN POTTERY STUDIO Colours is a friendly, family run paint-your-own pottery studio in Ballynahinch, Co Down, where anyone of any age can create their own unique work of art.

WANDERING WILD FOREST SCHOOL We provide opportunities for games, natural art, cooking over fire, tool use and outdoor education.

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FINALISTS

BEST FAMILY FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT THE MAC THEATRE Our award-winning venue in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is home to all kinds of exhibitions, theatre performances, experimental works and endless goings-on. The MAC is a cultural hub and since opening in 2012 has quickly become a beacon for the ongoing regeneration of Belfast.

Open 363 days per year, we offer an eclectic programme of visual art, theatre, dance, family workshops and lots more.

CARNFUNNOCK COUNTRY PARK

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The walled garden with its unique sundials and wooden sculptures is open all year round along with a maritime themed outdoor adventure playground, golf driving range and academy, way-marked walks, fitness trail, orienteering course, geocaching, wildlife garden, public toilets and picnic sites.

COLOURS PAINT YOUR OWN POTTERY STUDIO At Colours we cater for painters of all abilities who want get creative. Our offering includes hosting adults and children’s birthday parties, baby showers, children’s clubs, special needs groups, school visits and workshops, residential home visits and workshops, seniors/retirement groups, team building events, adult only nights, hen parties and much more.

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FINALISTS

BEST CHARITY SUPPORTING FAMILIES FDST Foyle Down Syndrome Trust is a growing disability Charity who work with children and young people aged 0-30 with Down syndrome in the Foyle area.

We provide a wide range of projects including one to one education, music therapy as well as health and wellbeing, outdoor learning and mentoring.

STEPPING STONES Stepping Stones NI is a multi award winning charitable organisation supporting people with a learning difficulty, Autism Spectrum Disorder and learning disability to gain training and employment.

GTR SHANKILL ALTERNATIVES We are a community based restorative justice programme that aims to address issues of community conflict in restorative ways.

Alternatives aims to build relationships not only within communities and their families, but also between statutory agencies and local communities to ensure communities are safer places to live.

SHANKILL WOMENS CENTRE Providing an accessible resource and development support for women in Greater Shankill and beyond.�

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FINALISTS

BEST HEALTHCARE PROVIDER MCCRYSTALS OPTICIANS McCrystal Opticians, Dungannon offers leading-edge optometric eye care for all the family, including specialist children’s eye care.

Noel McCrystal, our Principal Optometrist, is a passionate ambassador for the most up-todate treatment methods. Noel is fully qualified to practice the acclaimed Schoolvision method, the latest visual dyslexia treatment for children (and adults). The first in Northern Ireland to offer this specialist service, Noel is one of only five Schoolvision practitioners in the whole of Ireland.

We pride ourselves on our warm and friendly staff, our modern equipment and our beautiful, relaxing environment. You’ll always feel welcome and at home with us, whether you’re visiting for an appointment or simply popping in to check out our great range of designer frames.

Proud to be part of the Dungannon community since 1995, we are the experienced, trusted family choice and our award-winning services are enjoyed by clients of all ages from across Ireland.

UNIQUE HOMECARE NI LTD

Call 02897 52 88 55

Quality care at home provided by highly skilled and experienced care staff, putting the service user at the centre off their care plan.

UNIQUE CARE TO UNIQUE PEOPLE IN A UNIQUE WAY! FAMILIESFIRSTAWARDS.COM

ly matter to people dementia – such st ways to support er a diagnosis.

FINALISTS unding funder of mentia Research which will bring over 400 scientists nderlying causes op treatments as d ambitious care ology research mes.

Discovery programme for treatments for by repurposing d for other conditions.

BEST AGE FRIENDLY BUSINESS DENTURE CARE EXPRESS The first clinical dental technicians practice in NI. Get your dentures made directly with out having to go to your dentist. Dentures made in Days not weeks.

We make Dentures directly to the public and provide a private service which gives the patient one to one experience with John the Clinical Dental Technician.

Also can have Dentures made within a week!

RADIUS HOUSING At Radius we provide affordable, social housing for families, single people, couples and over 55’s. With over 100 housing schemes and over 12,00 homes throughout the Province, there is a Radius presence in almost every city and major town in Northern Ireland.

ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY Our vision is a world without dementia. Our ambitions are: to reach every person who has a diagnosis and wants our help; to change the conversation on dementia and mainstream the rights of those affected by it; and drive the research agenda – working tirelessly to improve support today and unlock the answers for a cure tomorrow.

UNIQUE HOMECARE NI LTD

Call 02897 52 88 55 FAMILIESFIRSTAWARDS.COM

Quality care at home provided by highly skilled and experienced care staff, putting the service user at the centre off their care plan.

UNIQUE CARE TO UNIQUE PEOPLE IN A UNIQUE WAY!

FINALISTS

BEST FAMILY INFORMATION WEBSITE FAMILYFUNNI.CO.UK Family Fun NI is a voluntary organisation run by two mums which provides information about events, societies, clubs, special needs activities, daycare, indoor/outdoor activities as well as half-term and summer schemes across Nor thern Ireland. Our aim is to provide all the information that parents/ carers could need, all in one place.

KIDSINNI.COM We are 4 guys/parents on a mission to make parents lives’ simpler, while enhancing kids’ lives across NI! KIDSinNI makes it easy for parents to find every club/class/activity for their kids in their local area. As we grow, parents will be able to read reviews from like-minded parents and choose clubs/classes/activities with confidence!

We also intend to use innovative artificial intelligence techniques to provide personalised recommendations for parents, so their kids never miss out on key life experiences!

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FINALISTS

BEST COMPANY TO WORK FOR UNIQUE HOMECARE NI LTD

Call 02897 52 88 55

Quality care at home provided by highly skilled and experienced care staff, putting the service user at the centre off their care plan.

UNIQUE CARE TO UNIQUE PEOPLE IN A UNIQUE WAY!

KILCOOLEY WOMENS CENTRE Our mission is to creative high quality affordable childcare, which will benefit every child and help them reach their full potential and for parents, to enable them to progress in their career in the knowledge that their child is in the best possible place.

HEALTHCARE IRELAND “Redefining the standards in the Care Home Sector” - We aim to accomplish this by focusing on the privacy and dignity of our individual residents whilst providing 5* quality care within Hotel living standard facilities.

BUILDING BLOCKS We cater for children ages 3 months to 12 years old with all needs catered for. Providing the highest level of care is at the forefront of everything we do, along with working in partnership with parents.

FAMILIESFIRSTAWARDS.COM

FINALISTS

BEST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE STEPPING STONES Stepping Stones NI supports people with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and learning difficulties to gain meaningful training and employment. We believe that with the right support people who face barriers to employment can get a job that they enjoy and stay in that job. Our team of employment officers and job coaches work with individuals to achieve their goals. We work closely with employers to make workplacements and jobs possible and to make reasonable adjustments for job interviews and working conditions.

KILCOOLEY WOMENS CENTRE Our mission is to creative high quality affordable childcare, which will benefit every child and help them reach their full potential and for parents, to enable them to progress in their career in the knowledge that their child is in the best possible place.

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FINALISTS

MIGHTY WOMAN LINDSAY NICHOLL ASPIRE 2 ACHIEVE

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“Having been thrust into self-employment at the age of 19 I sought every opportunity and embraced every challenge since, truthfully I haven’t looked back. My motto/tag line from the start #Aspire2Achieve and it seemed quite fitting when I decided to re-brand from LC Coaching, Consultancy & Care Training that the time was right to just ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ – so on 4th of June 2018 Aspire to Achieve (Bespoke Services) Ltd was born”.

MARTINA O’HANLON BUSY KIDS

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Martina’s first job was as a teacher and it taught her firstly, how much she enjoyed working with children Also, to view herself as a facilitator of learning. As owner of Busy Kids the advice she offers to those considering following in her career footsteps would be “Understand the importance of your role, teach by example and that the children are always the priority.”

LAURA SYKES SNUGGLES DAYCARE “I want to make sure that other people have access to the kind of opportunities they deserve has been a hugely important part of my life. For me, that starts from an early age. Working with parents to provide their children with a platform from which they can grow and flourish is incredibly rewarding.

It’s not just something I offer as a business, it’s something I do because it’s a part of me. You can’t put a price on helping people fulfil their potential”.

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ROSEMARY MAGILL WOMEN’S AID ABCLN

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Women’s Aid ABCLN provides confidential support, information and emergency accommodation for women and children affected by domestic violence. One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. We are working towards a society where domestic violence will not be tolerated, and women can live free from the fear and abuse.

OLIVE BRESLIN NAS OMAGH Olive is married to Pete and together they have 4 children, two of which have ASD. Olive works as a carer for the elderly.

She has been involved with the local NAS branch for ten years and has been chairperson for three.

In her spare time Olive enjoys baking for her family and friends.

LYNSEY MCCLELLAND SENSE “I have worked in health and social care for 18 years mostly in the field of learning disability.

Through this time I have worked for several organisations and made contacts with many others in the same field. It is through my experience and the work that I do for Sense that I was asked to be a part of Learning Disability Pride which is an inclusive community event celebrating and raising awareness of learning disability.”

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FINALISTS

MIGHTY TEEN CHLOE WOODSIDE Chloe Woodside is a remarkable young lady who has soared this last 18 months. She has availed of every opportunity presented to her and has very much committed to being her very best self after a little direction and coaching from Aspire2Achieve. Chloe has undergone major spinal surgery for a Scoliosis in her spine after years of pain, bullying and isolation as a result of the disability. Chloe not only juggles assisting care for her younger siblings throughout her mothers numerous brain surgeries but has committed to improving the lives of many young teens with Scoliosis and now heads up the Youth Forum of Megan’s Wish charity - she is a role model to so many.

Chloe also volunteers for Aspire2Achieve’s numerous programmes and has recently completed her Youth Work qualification and basic Sign Language as well as numerous other certificates. She has also been successful in securing her dream job in child care and commencing her lever 3 in Child Care QCF also. Chloe is a kindred spirit who has learned to reach for the stars and is not afraid to get to where she is going.

She has an infectious smile and overcomes anything thrown at her. MIGHTY TEEN right here in Chloe Woodside, if only we could bottle her resilience and determination.

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h Sc NOW CO-ED Intake doubled by this September PRINCIPAL NOMINATED Amazing Man in Education Mercy College Belfast, Bilston Road, Belfast, BT14 7QR Telephone: 02890391769, Fax: 02890711114 Email: info@mercycollege.belfast.ni.sch.uk Website: www.mercycollegebelfast.org

School App: Mercy College Belfast Facebook: Mercy College Belfast Twitter: @MercyCollegeNI Principal: Mr M Moreland, MEd, PQH (NI)

Sensory Kids is a specialised multi-sensory service to enhance the development of children and adults with sensory needs developed by Kathryn and Mary Connor.

We are based just outside Broughshane within the vicinity of the lovely ‘Award Winning Village of Broughshane in a beautiful rural location overlooking Slemish Mountain.

The business is headed by Mary and Kathryn Connor.

Mary is a registered Play Specialist at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and has been working there for over 15 years. Kathryn has been involved in youth work for 7 years and holds a Diploma in Youth and Community Development Work, a Degree in Youth Work with Theology, and is currently studying a Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

KATHRYN 07740074100 MARY 07875637373