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MARCH 17 / #26 / NEWS
///News
NEWS • #26 • MARCH 2017
DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES CELEBRATES THE CONTRIBUTION OF ADVICE VOLUNTEERS
IN THE COMMUNITY The latest community news and events on your doorstep.
On Wednesday, 22nd of February East Belfast Independent Advice Centre (EBIAC) staff and volunteers were out in style at Titanic Belfast attending an event organised by the Department for Communities to celebrate the contribution of Advice Volunteers in our communities.
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CELEBRATE
Pictured Lora Jane McDonnell and Tim McGarry
EVENTS>>>
Plenty going on in the East side this month in terms of community events. Here’s a rundown:
EVENTS
he event was hosted by local comedian Tim McGarry. EBIAC’s very own Lora Jane McDonnell told a crowd of over 200 people about how volunteering helped her when she became too mentally unwell to work. After attending some groups at the Oasis Centre, Lora Jane heard of the volunteering opportunities at EBIAC and applied to volunteer. Lora Jane
Reading Fair
Brigid O’Neill
Where: Crescent Arts Centre When: Wednesday 15th March, 8pm
Where: Skainos Centre When: Friday 24th March, 1-5pm
Where: EastSide Visitor Centre When: Friday 31st March, 8pm
The HOME Project developed by EastSide Arts in association with Terra Nova Productions, has given four emerging artists the opportunity to be mentored leading to the development of a new intercultural piece based on the theme of HOME in East Belfast. The project has also engaged four local communities/ families living in the East, both from indigenous and new communities, who have worked alongside the artists.Join EastSide Arts for the premiere of these four unique performances that include dance, music, poetry, song and drama all inspired by stories about ‘home. Supported by The Executive Office and Belfast City Council To find out more, including how to book please visit www.eastsidearts.net
Organised by EastSide Learning, this is a colourful and friendly free event for parents to access information and advice to support their child’s reading and will provide space for showcasing the support on offer from a range of agencies including; Education Authority NI, Department. of Education, Libraries NI, Museums NI, Save the Children and the Book Trust. Activities offered for children include storytelling sessions, reading fun on tablet/iPad, book swaps, phonics taster sessions and meet the teachers. For younger children there will be themed face painting of ‘iconic’ book characters. The EastSide Learning Reading Fair is part of the Belfast Festival of Learning. To find out more, including how to book please visit www.eastsidearts.net
The next EastSide Session takes place on Friday 31st March with Co. Down singer- songwriter Brigid O’Neill. Having last year travelled to Nashville on a prestigious award scheme, where she played the iconic Bluebird Café, Music City Roots Show and a series of other high profile gigs Brigid has been developing her songs and steadily building her fan base. In addition to the most loved songs from her 2014 EP ‘Arrivals and Departures’, Brigid will be bringing a selection of the most recent songs that she is currently recording for her new album to be released later this year. BYOB. Tickets priced £8 available from www.eastsidearts.net
Visit to Larne Lough Nursery
SKAINOS Events by East Belfast Mission
When: Thursday 23rd March, 9.00am- 4.00pm
All following events take place at Skainos Centre, Newtownards Rd, BT4 1AF
East Belfast Urban Village Community Gardeners are offering local people, especially those with an interest in community gardening, the opportunity to visit Larne Lough Nursery on Thursday 23rd March. Bus departs from Connswater Pocket Park, Connswater Street at 9am. To book your space please contact Madeleine by email madeleine@ eastsidepartnership.com or telephone 028 9045 1900.
Afternoon of Dance - Solo Step Two Hand Dancing Skainos Centre 7th March 2-4pm
Wednesday 1 - Wednesday 22 Mar- Interactive Music Workshops (for Seniors) Wednesday 22 Mar - Wednesday 5 Apr- Dry Point Print Making (for Seniors) EastSide Arts will be holding weekly creative workshops aimed at older people in the EastSide Visitor Centre. These will include; Creative Writing, Music and Print Making. Free. 10am-12pm. Tel Madeleine 028 9045 1900.
Would you like to Volunteer with EBIAC and make a real difference in your community? We have opportunities to volunteer in the following roles, Receptionist, and Adviser. Please contact Gerard Morgan for further information.
event, Mary McManus, Manager of EBIAC, said, “We are very proud of Lora Jane and in awe of her courage at sharing her personal story at the event.” Lora Jane summed her speech up by saying that she is now has regular bouts of Volunesia. This was a new word to us. It means, that moment when you forget you are volunteering to change lives as volunteering changes yours!
HOME Project
Artful Ageing
Mon, Tues, Wed, 9.30-11.30 Thurs 2.00-3.30 (Appointments required for Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance forms)
has been one of EBIAC’s most dedicated and committed volunteers for the past 3 years, giving much of her time and energy to ensure that the community in East Belfast have access to essential advice services. Since December, she has been working with EBIAC part time on a temporary contract. She continues to volunteer. Speaking about the
Ask the advisor
Turn Down the Lamp at Turas Friday 10th March 8 - late. Traditional music session. If you have a song or a tune come along and join in. The Dummies Guide to Gaelic Placenames 15th March 7.30pm Gaelic place-names are descriptive and tell us something about their location. Without a knowledge of the language these meanings are lost to us. Join Linda Ervine on a journey of discovery to reveal the hidden meanings behind many of our local place-names. A Belfast Story - Sharon Dickson Skainos Centre 16th March 7.30pm A Monologue of the Belfast Blitz. Minnie recalls how as an 11 year old child she hears that war has been declared as we share her thoughts and fears of that memorable time
Moving from DLA to PIP Carlie Martin, Better Off Families Adviser at East Belfast Independent Advice Centre provides information about common advice queries. received a letter telling me that You now must appeal the I am married and in receipt call to one of our drop in clinics. I did not qualify for PIP. I have decision made by the department We will also provide you with a full of Disability Living Allowance asked the department for a to disallow your claim for PIP (DLA). My wife claims Carers benefit check to ensure that you mandatory reconsideration for and you may be entitled to Allowance for looking after me. are receiving all entitlements. Supplementary Payments to My DLA was due for renewal but this decision. The department East Belfast Independent Advice have not changed the decision. replace the loss of income from due to the changes I was sent a Centre offers advice on Welfare DLA and Carers Allowance. EBIAC benefits, Tax Credits, Housing, Personal Independence Payment My wife’s Carers Allowance is going to stop, and I am no longer can assist you with this if you wish Employment and Debt. The (PIP) claim form to complete. I completed the form and returned receiving payment from DLA. to call the centre via telephone to advice is free, independent and it. Following an assessment, I What do I do now? further discuss your situation or confidential. You can phone us or come into the centre to talk to an adviser. The advice is free, independent and confidential. EAST BELFAST INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE 55 TEMPLEMORE AVENUE BELFAST BT5 4NT TELEPHONE 028 90 735690