PEACE III PROJECT
Date: 20 May 2009
Welcome to our PEACE III Project page - This is where you will find all the latest news on our European funded project ´A Future Together´. Funded until May 2011 the planned programme of activities will provide opportunities for participants to get involved in educational, recreational and creative classes. A confidential counselling service and a range of complementary therapies, as well as a befriending and respite scheme will also be made available under the programme. The project is managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Community Relations Council & Border Action consortium.
Project Launch - The project was officially launched on Tuesday April 7th 2009 at a very well attended event. Service users, local community and statutory agency representatives all came forward to show their support for the organisation. Speaking at the launch Survivors of Trauma Treasurer and one of our founding members Mary Bradford said, ´we have come a very long way from our humble beginnings, and are very proud of what we have achieved, we our pleased to have secured the EU PEACE III funding´. Paul Skinnader representing The Consortium outlined the supporting role that they will play and wished Survivors of Trauma every success with the implentation of the project. Mike Nesbitt from The Northern Ireland Commission for Victims and Survivors also added to the proceedings and impressed upon the importance of the work. The launch went smoothly and was successful in attracting media attention, an article was also featured in a local newspaper.
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L-R Paul Skinnader Border Action, Kate McNally Survivors of Trauma, Brendan McAllister Commission for Victims and Survivors, Mary Bradford Survivors of Trauma, Mike Nesbitt Commission forVictims and Survivors all in attendance at our launch on 7th April 2009. |
Our current classes have been funded under the PEACE III Special EU Programme which is managed by the POBAL, CRC Consortium. The classes offer participants a varied programme of education & learning activities, creative and recreational workshops as well as therapies and therapy training.
Our computer suite can host up to 10 learners and is equipped with printers and big screen projector to make learning that little bit easier. The computer classes are designed to encourage everyone to participate. Complete beginners have begun their first steps in IT and others have built on their existing skills, learning new approaches and techniques in internet search, basic graphic skills and email communication.
Our reintegration classes create the right climate for participants to express themselves creatively. We experiment with various creative approaches which we value as being highly therapeutic for participants. We have previously used pottery stain-glass and picture framing classes to achieve similar results. Many paintings, wall hangings and bog oak carvings are exhibited within the centre. The wood carving and painting classes are very popular and run during the evening time at the centre.
The Irish language class is aimed at intermediate level but can also accommodate those people beginning with the language. Soft furnishing classes take place on Thursday morning and the therapies treatment programme runs throughout the entire week. Users can also avail of our recreational activities classes which include two separate yoga classes am & pm as well as Tai Chi and Pilates.
Trauma workshops present opportunity for group discussion
Psychologist John Friel, encourages debate during break out session
Dr Aileen O kane Facilitates workshop discussion
Our trauma workshops provide an opportunity for participants to discuss various issues that affect them. This is done through a series of facilitated sessions encouraging group discussion. We have explored several themes through these kind of workshops including anger management, releasing your inner tauma, and making sense of life’s issues etc.
Computers classes tailored to individual need & preference
An Evening of Storytelling, Culture & Craic
An evening of storytelling, music, song, dance and a fair bit of craic ensured that our annual cultural event left everyone whooping for more. Many of those in attendance shared a story of two and the evening was expertly facilitated by Greg. Dancers showcased their talent with a range of performances of Irish and traditional set dancing. The fabulous music was non-stop and provided the backdrop for discussion and interaction between all those in attendance. This event acts as platform for sharing stories from within both an historical and cultural context. It creates the right kind of climate for sharing and examining culture/history in an accessible non-threatening atmosphere in which everyone can contribute.
Irish dancers showcase their talent
Therapists train in new facial technique
Survivors of Trauma therapists have recently trained in holistic facial technique which when completed will allow them to expand their practice.
Holistic Facial is a massage of face, neck and scalp. It involves working on acupressure points, lymphatic drainage and techniques from Indian and Japanese Face Massage, balancing facial skin, muscles and internal organs. Holistic Facial Massage is very gentle, very relaxing and non-invasive and acts like a natural facelift. The training is part of our overall plan to extend the therapy programme so that it becomes a comprehensive treatment package offering a wide choice to those in need of therapeutic services. Course tutor Isabel Cowan says of the course, “the training will compliment the hot stones therapy treatment already available at the centre and clients could avail of a much more holistic service located within the one organisation”. Currently under the therapies programme students are training to diploma level in aromatherapy/reflexology. Other training is planned — Are you a victim/survivor of the conflict, could you benefit from therapies? For a free consultation — call us.
