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Community Foundation launches the ‘New Needs Fund’ helping communities and community organisations to address new needs appearing as a result of coronavirus

In its latest phase of support for voluntary sector organisations impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland has announced the ‘New Needs Fund’. The fund, which is expected to grow is being launched with monies from the Community Foundation and Comic Relief, and is now available to the sector to help organisations and communities to address new needs appearing as a result of the Coronavirus and to find new ways of meeting existing needs... (read more).

Local 'Who Cares Wins' page raises thousands for NHS

Antrim DJs Mark and Paul Ritchie and musician Rodney Beggs have raised over £24,000 for the NHS via a live streamed gig. They set up a gofundme page called 'NHS Workers Support Fund' with the original target of £10,000... (read more).

Big Day Inside Out for older people to help beat isolation during lockdown

THE BIG DAY INSIDE OUT is taking place on Thursday 25th June 2020 in the morning, afternoon, and evening, offering a wide programme of physical activities, crafts and lectures, discussions, and entertainment and fun in the evening.
 
THE BIG DAY INSIDE OUT offers activities for older people who are at home, using online via video “zoom” calls and “Facebook Live”, activities via “Whatsapp” smart phones, as well as activities for people who don’t have computers.  There is also a selection of small outdoor events that observe government guidelines and social distancing...(read more).

 

To nominate a deserving person, simply send a message with details of what they have done to spiritofniawards@sundaylife.co.uk.

This year's judging panel for this Spirit of Northern Ireland Covid-19 Heroes awards initiative includes Carl Frampton, Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and Q Radio presenter Jordan Humphries who, with representatives from Sunday Life and Ulster Bank, have had the unenviable task of picking the stand-out stories from your nominations.

 

 

Musical Theatre Students Sing Loud and Clear for Children living with Cancer


115 students from leading theatre school, Belfast School of Performing Arts (BSPA), have come together to release a single to raise funds for the Cancer Fund for Children.

During lockdown, the talented students have all banded together to help others by belting out their own virtual version of Gary Barlow’s beautiful song ‘Sing’.

Peter Corry, Artistic Director at BSPA, which has a total of eight schools across the Province says it has been a challenging but heartfelt and positive experience for all the young people involved;

“At BSPA we believe in the importance of helping others, we had recently just secured the Cancer Fund for Children as our designated charity and with our 10th anniversary coming up in January 2021, it felt like the right time to create something very special, current circumstances meant that we needed to adapt from our norm and we have created a virtual song. Creating this song has been such fun and students have been so enthusiastic, each rehearsing and recording the song in their bedroom, living room or garden, they have all given it so much passion and joy and as you can see and hear, that really shines through.”

Jane Hoare, Head of Fundraising,  from the Cancer fund for Children is delighted that the money raised will go towards the charity;

“As a charity we rely heavily on fundraising from events and activities that have had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had a major impact on our income. However, cancer and how it affects children and families will not stop during this, and neither can we.  To hear this song and see how much effort and thought has gone into it by the students at BSPA gives me a great sense of appreciation and I’d like to send a very big thank you to all involved for thinking of Cancer Fund for Children at this time. The monies raised will go towards funding our organisation which is continuing to work with families remotely, delivering individual and group support to children and young people, by phone and online, helping to reduce isolation, respond to any worries they may have, and crucially connect them with other young people experiencing cancer.”

Mum of one of the students at the Lisburn School, Fiona Mulholland says this charity single is very close to her heart;

"My daughter Grace is a student at BSPA and she loves gong every week, her little sister Mollie, when she was aged just 2 years and 10 months, was diagnosed with cancer. Mollie is doing really well now, but at the time we were knocked sideways as a family. The Cancer Fund for Children was amazing, we were assigned a support worker very early on in Mollie's treatment and they treated us with such kindness and love, helping us with support, both emotionally and financially. We enjoyed a stay in Daisy Lodge which was one of the most idyllic places I have ever been. Mollie had just finished her treatment and was still compromised so going anywhere else would not have been possible. I'd say it was like going to a 5 star hotel while at the same time feeling like you were 'at your Mum's house'! The whole family got looked after and were able to connect emotionally while enjoying a bit of downtime. We got our hair done, had facials, played games and there were activities put on for the kids so they could go and play and we could rest and relax. This charity helped my family so much, I was delighted to hear that BSPA were nominating them for their charity of the year and this single is just incredible, I'm sure it will help raise much needed funds for such an amazing local charity who will in turn help another family through what we went through."

Tina McVeigh, Director at BSPA is delighted with the end result; “These young people are so very talented and it’s been such a pleasure to listen to this song that they have lovingly created to help others, I’m very proud of them and I am looking forward to the day that they can all dance, sing and act together once again. Each school had been well underway in preparation for their annual shows and I know the students were disappointed to have missed that opportunity to perform, I hope that this has given them that connection with their fellow students and given them a fun project to focus on while helping others and doing what they do best and love most.”

Belfast School of Performing arts is soon to celebrate their 10th anniversary and now teaches over 700 pupils aged from just three years old up to those aged nineteen. The aim of the school is to raise confidence and self-belief in the students, through developing performance skills in a safe and encouraging environment.

To find out more please visit thebspa.co.uk


Watch and listen to the song by clicking this link https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OxUTvtcJfmEiY_MElkp2FVW7qJ4swVja?usp=sharing

To donate to the BSPA charity single ‘Sing’ please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BSPA2020

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Business in the Community

We’re working in partnership with Go ON NI, NI Direct and volunteers from our member organisations, to offer free advice to those struggling with their technology during this difficult time.

Through the Digital Assist Text Help service, anyone can text DIGITALHELP (all one word) to 67300*, with a brief description of what support or advice is required, and a volunteer will phone back within 48 hours with free and helpful advice. All text messages are charged at your network operator’s standard rate.


Our volunteers can help with the following:
Email | Attachments | Skype/Facetime/Facebook (connecting by video) | Social Media | Staying safe online | PayPal | Shopping online | Saving and sharing photos | Computer settings

 

Action for Children NI - Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support Service 

Our team at Action for Children, Floating Support Service are continuing to deliver a service to all young people during this unprecedented time.
We understand that everyone has different circumstances and may require additional support during this time. We work with young people aged 16-25 years old in Fermanagh area and young people 16-18 years old in Omagh area, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
We wanted to let you know that the service is still open for new referrals and all staff are continuing to provide an effective service to ensure all our young people have a safe place to call home.

All staff are working remotely and continue to deliver an effective service. All new enquiries & requests can be made via email or phone.
Email: sperrinfloatingsupport@actionforchildren.org.uk
Phone: 028 822 59495

 

The Dribbly Yak

We are Husband and Wife team, Anthony and Jenny. In the normal world we're Wood Engravers, but have started making Full Face Shields and donating them as PPE to everyone we can find who's at risk; Care Homes, Keyworkers, Postmen, Emergency Opticians, Takeaway Drivers, Social Workers, District Nurses, Wholesale Florists (supplying Funeral Homes), Cleaning Companies and other essential workers.

Because we're just a small business, we're making and selling wooden pin badges, and using the funds to buy the materials to make the Face Shields. We've got 2 different styles; mini rainbows, and NHS Superhero symbols. We've been doing so well, and been able to donate hundreds of them so far; the support from the People of Northern Ireland has been immense!

We want to get these to as many Workers as we can, and are reaching out to anywhere that has a platform that can help us. We're too small a business to fund the production just by ourselves. But by selling the pins instead of asking for straight up donations, we're trying to engage donors, and unite people with a little symbol of hope that they can share.

https://www.thedribblyyak.com/product-page/fight-against-co-vid19-pins
https://www.facebook.com/thedribblyyak

 

Free Online Meditation run by the Maha Ji Meditation Foundation

In these days of isolation, we can stay united in our hearts and spirits by taking part in this free Global Light Meditation. By doing this we stand behind our emergency service, our doctors, our nurses and loved ones, and meditating for love and light in the world.

 We practise this pure meditation with Maha Ji and collectively raise our vibration and immunity, bringing love, healing and protection into our homes and families restoring peace and harmony to the mind, body and spirit. This is the meditation we are doing with a large number of people from different countries joining together from their own homes at the same time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 21 minutes of Global Light Meditation in silence.

Join us in our Facebook page:

https://facebook.com/events/s/global-light-meditation/572786253345977/?ti=cl

 Join us in our WhatsApp group:  

https://chat.whatsapp.com/FKbWAudziQ85hbAKWcEqfz

 

Macmillan Move More NI

This is a regional physical activity programme for anyone who has been affected by cancer. There are 11 Move More coordinators, 1 in each local council area. Anyone affected by cancer can receive a tailored physical activity programme along with additional support, at a level that is right for them. Physical activity is safe before, during and after most types of cancer treatment.

During the current COVID-19 crisis and subsequent unprecedented restrictions, the Move More NI scheme is still providing support and physical activity programmes as well as accepting new referrals.

If you have been affected by cancer and would like more information please contact Move More Coordinator Claire Murphy 07788 421987 / movemore@gll.org

 

Aware NI

They provide many support services to help you with your mental health and wellbeing during this unusual period. Click the graphic below to find out more:

 

Women’s Aid

These local groups deliver a range of specialised support services throughout Northern Ireland to women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

 

Little AJ Craft Boutique

They make scrubs for local NHS hospitals.. Having previously delivered to the Royal Children’s ICU, Craigavon and local surgeries, funding for materials has run low. If you'd like to help or find out more info, click the logo below:

 

Accord

Accord's new helpline identifies problems and offers advice to couples during pandemic restrictions. Accord counsellors can aid in identifying causes of conflict, effects on children & vulnerable relationships. Advice on bereavement, serious illness & financial difficulty is available. If you or somebody you know could benefit from this service, click the graphic below to find out more and get in contact with Accord:

 

SportNI 

Along with Public Health Association and Inspire Wellbeing charity have joined forces to create this invaluable free wellbeing resource tool for sports clubs and associations across Northern Ireland. It aims to provide the right help, right now with instant online access to a range of resources tailored to your individual wellbeing plan recommending proactive next steps and appropriate support and intervention designed specifically to wellbeing and sport.

For more information, click on the logo below:

For your chance to display a message on the Community Notice Board, please fill in the below form:

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Note: Community Notice Board Messages are subject to approval by Q Radio. 

INFORMATION SOURCES

 

ACTIVITY IDEAS 

Visit our activity page for ideas to keep the kids occupied at home.

ISOLATION ASSISTANCE FORM

Print off this form and distribute it to anybody who you think could use your help during isolation. You can do this via a neighbour's post box, email or text. (source: Thomas Hughes via Facebook)

 

Watch Ryan & Jordan and listeners dancing to Happy by Pharrell Williams

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