Free Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops

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Last Updated: Monday, 20 September 2021 12:43

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough (ABC) Council is encouraging local residents to check out its range of free workshops and online events aimed at exploring various aspects of mental health and wellbeing.

ABC Council’s PEACE IV Programme in partnership with Women’s Aid Armagh and Down, and WAVE Trauma Centre, is offering free workshops open to all residents in the ABC borough and will be rolled out over the next couple of months.

The suite of workshops will cover varied and interconnected topics such as trauma recovery, techniques to support positive mental health and wellbeing, and dealing with the legacy of the troubles – aiming to help enhance skills, knowledge and support provision around these important areas.

Starting on Wednesday 6 October 2021, the workshops are as follows:

• Why Self Care Matters Now - Focus point. Taking responsibility to protect and monitor your own physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. 6th October - 7-9pm
• Why we Sleep - This workshop will uncover some of the mysteries of sleep and what we know of the functions of sleep and dreaming. 13th October - 7-9pm
• Misuse of over the counter drugs - To become familiarised with the most commonly used prescription and over the counter medicines in Northern Ireland- effects and side effects. 20th October - 7-9pm
• Supporting Children and Young People to Build Resilience During Covid-19. Understand resilience. Learn six common trauma-informed principles for building resilience.  27th October - 7-9pm
• Trauma, growth, and possibilities for the helping professions - Dealing with the negative effects of trauma is something that has been with us for millennia. 3rd November -7-9pm
• Speaking the Unspeakable – Communication and COVID 19 - Communication: types of communication that transmits trauma - 10th November - 7-9pm
• Brain Development in the Context of Childhood Trauma. - This three-hour online workshop will provide an overview of how brain development can be adapted for survival as a result of early childhood trauma. 17th November - 6-9pm

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or to register open this link https://form.jotform.com/211302009165340

The project is funded by the PEACE IV programme, a cross-border initiative, financed through the European Union and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This programme has been designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland.

Phone First

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 15 September 2021 14:46

With continued pressure right across the health and social care system, we ask for your support in promoting our ‘Phone First’ service.

We appeal to anyone with urgent but not life threatening symptoms to please ‘Phone First’ before attending our Emergency Departments or minor injuries services.

Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm Tel: 0300 123 3 111 

 The team will help you get the most suitable advice or service as quickly as possible.

For more information click https://www.google.com/url?q=https://southerntrust.hscni.net/get-in-touch/out-of-hours-and-emergency-contacts/phone-first-2/&source=gmail&ust=1631801998825000&usg=AFQjCNGCYJnpXBbecgVjPvxZohe-9JYJQg">here     

Do You Live With Chronic Pain

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Last Updated: Thursday, 02 September 2021 10:48

Shake Off The Lockdown 2

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 31 August 2021 16:39

Children for several estates took part in the Shake Off The Lockdown 2 programme that was delivered last Thursday and Friday. Working with Jo Jo’s Spotlight Studios and West Armagh Consortium, a programme of dance and exercise was delivered using 5 MUGA parks. Staring off in Mullacreevie on Thursday morning 5 two hour session we held over the two days, taking in the Callanbridge, Drumarg, Drumbreda and Longstone estate. It goes without saying that all the kids had a great time. Let’s hope that even if a similar programme takes place next year it will not be entitles Shake Off The Lockdown 3.

Some pics below

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Have Your Say

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Last Updated: Thursday, 12 August 2021 13:01

Calling all service users and carers who care for someone with a physical disability in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust we need your help!!

Please have your voice heard and influence SHSCT service improvement’s by clicking on the link below to the survey.

https://www.google.com/url?q

https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/hsc-southern-health-social-care-trust/service-user-and-carer-satisfaction-survey-for-phy

Survey closes on 13th August 2021.

Chair Yoga For Long Term Pain Sufferers

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 03 August 2021 10:04

The West Armagh Consortum will be delivering  yoga classes for long term pain sufferers in the WAC Healthy Living Centre, Sherrys Field Recreational Centre. Start time is 11.00am the class will speacilaise in chair yoga and unlike previous classes we have not set a cut off date and hope to keep the classes going for as long as required by participants. There will be a small charge of £2 for these classes and they are open to both men and women. There are still spaces available for the class. Contact Nora at WAC office or Stephen on 07759949314

As & When Residential Project Worker Vacancies (Banbridge)

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Last Updated: Thursday, 17 June 2021 11:36

Willowgrove is a residential service which provides short breaks for children and young people with a diagnosed learning disability and/or life limiting condition, within the Southern Trust area. 

Due to the impact of Covid19, children and families require additional support . Our service has expanded, and we require additional staff who will be able to support our service on an 'As and When' basis.

Our As and When staff are offered regular shifts which enables them to work alongside and become part of our passionate team of Residential Project Workers.

Where do you start? 

If you can tick all the boxes below you are already ahead of the rest, and we would love to hear more about you! 

• Are you passionate about supporting children & young people to achieve their full potential? 
• Are you able to work with children & young people in a way that recognises and embraces their unique life journey? 
• Could you work with others in a team to find creative solutions that promote children & young people's wellbeing? 
• Would you like to go home knowing you had made a positive difference in the life or a child or young person? 

Salary: £19,273 (FTE) plus Sleep In Allowance of £62.64 when applicable 

Location: Willowgrove Residential Unit, Banbridge 

Hours: As & when, Rota over 7 days 

Closing date: Midnight on 30th June 2021 

Interview date: To be confirmed

If not already registered, successful candidates will be required to register as a social care worker with NI Social Care Council (NISCC)

Apply Here: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://jobs.barnardos.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/as--when-residential-project-worker-8710/9675/description/&source=gmail&ust=1624009823600000&usg=AFQjCNEbDJM0EaTCuehGVW_00oF88jUK4Q">https://jobs.barnardos.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/as--when-residential-project-worker-8710/9675/description/

FREE COUNSELLING SERVICE

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Last Updated: Monday, 17 May 2021 12:41

All counselling sessions are conducted in line with Covid -19 social distancing requirements.

Covid -19 Update

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 June 2020 12:36

For the past 10 weeks the Armagh Covid-19 Community Response Group has been operating a help package programme. They have decided that it is now time to access the sitution and hav isued the following statement and have included it in thi weeks help packages.

8th June 2020 LAST WEEK

Dear Recipient, We hope that you and your family are coping well in the current crisis. As a recipient of our help packages you will be aware of the brilliant work of our volunteers in making and distributing these help packages. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that.

This is now our tenth week into this action and have delivered in excess of 1100 packages. The circumstance of most of the families and individuals on our list has thankfully improved since the early days of the crisis which now necessitates that we review our action. We have decided that this will be the last week at we will be making deliveries using our current list. However, should you still fall within the categories that we were using then please contact us and will continue to assist.

Those categories are:

• Loss of income meaning a significant loss of household income due to being made unemployed or a reduction in your ability to earn. This includes people who have been forced to make benefit claims and are waiting within the system for the determination to be made. (This can take 6week+)

• This does not include individuals currently within the benefit system and receiving payments. It is not possible to include everyone on benefits or in receipt of pensions.

• People forced to self-isolate due to health reasons with little or no family support net. (This may not entail a help package but rather our buddy-up system)

• Other extenuating circumstances can be taken into consideration and can be discussed.

It needs to be noted that we will be not be working from our current list so if you feel that you still need our assistance you must contact us through the publicised numbers. 07763818393 or 07759949314.

While there appears to be a relaxing in the current restrictions, it would be premature to assume that the crisis has passed. The Armagh Covid-19 Community Response Group will continue to work to assist people who are suffering hardship due to the pandemic. We will continue to assist for as long as our resources will permit.

Please take care and be safe. Remember to observe the social distancing regulations. Please also observe any new guidelines that may come into effect regarding changes to the lockdown.

Yours Sincerely

The Armagh Covid-19 Community Response Group.

West Armagh Community Festival Sponsorship Raises £3,173.58

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Last Updated: Monday, 21 October 2019 14:43

Two charities benefited from the West Armagh Community Festival's fun raising venture that saw a number of hardy community activists climb Slieve Donard to hold a poc fada.£3,173.58 was raised and was divided evenly betwen the Lord Mayors Charity Fund and Lisanally Special School. Stephen Fields from West Armagh Consortium presented one of the cheques to the Lord Mayor Cllr, Mealla Campbell while John Fields presented  the other cheque for Lisanally Special School to Eileen McCann.

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Social Prescribing - Community Approach To Health And Well-Being

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 October 2019 21:16

What is Social Prescribing? It is a communinty approach to health and well being.SPRING is the Healthy Living Alliances' Social Prescribing Programme being delivered through its network of Healthy Living Centres.The West Armagh Consortium Healthy Living Centre,based at Sherrys Sports Complex is part of that network and where our local SPRING social prescriber is based.

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FREE COUNSELLING SERVICE

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Last Updated: Monday, 14 October 2019 14:33

The West Armagh Cosortium will be offering a free counselling service starting in early January. Counselling covers a wide range of issues and by its very nature is tailored to the clients individual needs.The service will be strictly managed in line with recognised and approved proceedures and protocols.Details of this srvice are contained within the poster below. Contact Emma to book an appointment.

Picture Montage of St.Patricks Day Parade

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Last Updated: Thursday, 21 March 2019 11:50

We are indebted to Martin McCann for the video monatge of the St.Patricks Day Parade.Please follow the link below.

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Thousands Turn Out for St. Patricks Day Parade.

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 19 March 2019 14:44

The streets of Armagh were thronged with people who came out to enjoy the community parade organised in response to the ABC Councils decision to change its own St. Patricks Day Procession. Lead by a flag party consisting to 25 national flags and walking behind the St. Patricks Flag, the parade made it way through the streets for its finishing point at Sherry Field Sports Complex. Even the odd shower of rain couldn't dampen people’s spirits who can out in their droves to both spectate and walk in the parade.

The organisers have thanked everyone who helped out with the organising of the parade and the many individuals and business who donated money that was used put the parade over. Speaking on behalf of the organising group, Stephen Fields said “The response to the news that the council had changed the St. Patricks Day parade has been phenomenal. The community stepped up to the plate and came out in force. This was very evident in both the turnout and the volunteers who helped out in every way. This included  the making of flags/bunting, the donations of materials, the stewards, messages of support and willingness to be involved. Due to the complete lack of consultation on the part of the council (council has still not responded to our initial letter), we only had just over 4 weeks to organise this parade and it could not have been done without this support. A big thank you to all and all credit is due to the community.

“Sundays parade was an example of inclusiveness. We sought to include as many as possible and to do so in a festive and community spirited manner. Numerous people have thanked WAC and the organising group for putting on the parade, but the real thanks goes to the people who by their actions over the weekend completely vindicated our decision to go ahead and organised the parade in response to the council’s disgraceful decision to change the day.”

It has been described as one of the biggest and colourful parades in years going back to the time when the community used to organise monster parades through the town. Those parades were at a time when the council hardly recognised St. Patricks Day but eventually through constant pressure from local representatives the council began to take the day onboard. However, that has not been a smooth journey, they  have almost been dragged kicking and screaming to the conclusion that as a public body they should be supportive of everybody's expressions of culture and views. Nevertheless and even to this day, they  have sought to mitigate against the parade and any sense of Irishness . Their choice in bunting omits the recognised colours of green and white. They have a lengthy list of pre-conditions for those wanting to take part in the parade , so much so, that in recent years there has been very little community buy in. This in turn has forced the council to rely more and more on professional street performers. While such acts are very colourful, they alone cannot command the support and widespread community participation.

For more picture follow READ MORE

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End Of Carnival Party

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Last Updated: Monday, 11 March 2019 20:35

It was smiley faces all round at the childrens' party held in Sherrys recently marking  the end of Carnival . The party was organised by our local polish group POLACY to mark the end of Carnival which is  a pre-Lenten event. Such events are traditional in many countries and there are many similarities in how this time is marked.

The Polish Carnival season includes Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek), when pączki (doughnuts) are eaten, and Śledzik (Shrove Tuesday) or Herring Day. The Tuesday before the start of Lent is also often called Ostatki (literally "leftovers"), meaning the last day to party before the Lenten season.

The traditional way to celebrate Carnival is the kulig, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered countryside. In modern times, Carnival is increasingly seen as an excuse for intensive partying. As can be seen from our pictures,everyone certainly enjoyed the event.