Issue 6: The latest news and events from the SHINE Northern Ireland team.

1. NI Newsletter
Registered Charity No. 249338
GREASE
raised platform. And that’s not all ...
Following the show, we were given a “Meet &
From curtain up to the final encore we thoroughly Greet” with the cast and production team and
enjoyed our night at GREASE in the Millennium every one of them, after a long night, came to
Forum. The show was action packed with a few spend some time talking to us all and posing for
surprises in the production including an exploding photographs (we weren’t posing of course!). Mary
car exhaust and plenty of special effects to keep Byrne was in big demand and nobody was in any
us entertained! rush so we made the most of photo opportunities
as you can see!
The cast was brilliant and worked hard to put on
a fantastic version of the GREASE story. But the I have written a letter of thanks to the Millennium
moment we all looked forward to see was our Forum staff and to the cast of GREASE for making
very own Mary Byrne appearing, white curly wig sure we had a great night out. Keeping an eye on
and glittery suit and singing her heart out from a Autumn programme – CHICAGO on it’s way!
Peace Bridge Event Saturday 5th May 2012
Peace Bridge - Londonderry/Derry
Meet at Ebrington Square at 11am for a
11am - 12pm
really exciting event and WEAR SOMETHING
YELLOW. We will be doing a film for YouTube
on the day and it will be posted on to our site
at shinecharity.org.uk
Shine Northern Ireland
PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWA
Email: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk
Contact no: 01733 555988 www.shinecharity.org.uk

2. young people making the transition from school
to further education/employment. I carried out
my own research and found that there is a lack
of communication, information, training, and
understanding between agencies and resources
which can limit options.
In addition to my social work role I have been
working as a learning support mentor. This has
provided me with the opportunity to work on a
one-to-one basis with young people who have
learning and physical disabilities. By Identifying
needs, I provide advice and information to other
Dolores Black professionals about implementing reasonable
adjustments to ensure inclusive learning.
I was thrilled to be appointed as a project worker I left social work in 2008 and joined the voluntary
to the Spina bifida • Hydrocephalus • Information sector. I worked for two years as a family support
• Networking • Equality - SHINE NI team on worker with the National Autistic Society. This
5th March. It is an honour to work with such a provided me with the opportunity to develop
decitated, hardworking, and committed team and services and training to meet needs that the
members. My role as project worker will involve statutory sector are unable to provide.
developing services-user groups according to
interest/need, supporting existing groups, and I have personal experience of having a sister with
providing any relevant training that is seen to be a disability. Experiencing first hand some of the
beneficial. social barriers, negative attitudes and stigma
faced by people with disabilities, has given me
In addition I am here to offer confidential a drive to empower and enable people to reach
support and information on any concerns or their potential and achieve their goals.
issues members may have, through home visits,
telephone contact etc. I am looking forward to I am really looking forward to getting out there in
meeting members, families, carers, and welcome the field, so to speak, meeting you all and hearing
your calls, ideas etc. about the everyday issues that are relevant to you.
I am hoping to assist with arranging a family fun
My background is in social work. I have worked day on the 16th June in the Valley Leisure Centre.
as a social worker in both adult and children’s If you have any queries please do not hesitate to
disability teams for 15 years. Subsequently I contact me on:
have gained a level of understanding into the E. dolores.black@shinecharity.org.uk
stresses and issues that people with disabilities T. 02890814116 M. 07816966866
of all ages, their families and carers have to deal
with on a daily basis. Throughout my many years’ Best Wishes
experience I have identified a gap in services for Dolores
Magherafelt Parents Group Mid Ulster Adults Group.
A group of parents of children who have spina Shine Adult members from the Mid Ulster and
bifida and/or hydrocephalus from Magherafelt surrounding areas have met on a number of
and surrounding areas have been meeting in the occasions in the past few months in Cookstown.
Meadowvale Leisure Complex in Magherafelt. We have held events such as Bowling, Boccaccio,
New Age Curling and a social night out. Members
This provides an environment for parents to have enjoyed these nights and have requested
discuss various topics related to their children’s that there are more of these events organised in
condition. Siblings are also welcome. the future. Some of the group attended “Blood
Brothers” in the Opera House in Belfast with
We are organising an outing to a local donkey Shine Members from other adult groups in April.
sanctuary in July, for more details contact Pamela Any member interested in joining this group can
on: T. 028 25652273 contact Pamela on: T. 028 25652273
E. pamela.dickey@shinecharity.org.uk E. pamela.dickey@shinecharity.org.uk

3. Coleraine Young Adults Group
During the month of February 2012, a four-week
course took place between the Lodge Hotel
and the University of Ulster Sports Complex,
Coleraine. This course was aimed at young
adult members of Shine from Coleraine and
surrounding areas.
The course was well attended with 8 Shine
members taking part.
Week one looked at the conditions of spina bifida
and hydrocephalus, and how each person can be
affected individually. There was lively discussion
among the group on their experiences and time
Lisa law was allocated for individuals who had more
personal questions at the end of the night.
Hello! For those of you who don’t know me Week two looked at the importance of diet and
already my name is Lisa Law. I wanted to take healthy eating. Continence, skin care and folic
this opportunity to introduce myself as a new acid were also discussed briefly. Members had
member of the Shine Adult Member’s Council an opportunity to try out Pamela’s home-made
(SAMC), representing Northern Ireland. smoothies which went down very well!
It is my responsibility to act as a communication Week three was held in the University Sports
channel between the adult members here in Complex. Once again members had the
Northern Ireland, and at national level. This is opportunity to try out different sports including
an exciting development as it is the first time table tennis, basket-ball and new age curling.
NI adult members have had a representative. I Everyone enjoyed the night and requested that
have witnessed first-hand the eagerness of the more events like this be organised.
members in Northern Ireland to get involved in The final week looked at self-esteem and the
and support the work of Shine and as a fellow importance of looking after our mental health as
member who benefits from the Shine NI team I well as our physical health. Two volunteers from
want to say thank you and keep up the momentum. the Beauty Department in Coleraine College of
I am here to work for the adult members too. Further Education gave a demonstration on good
skin care. Hand massages, and nail painting were
Since taking my place on the council I have also available.
had productive discussions as to how I can
communicate with any adult member here in The evaluations were very positive and new
Northern Ireland and encourage the promotion friends were made among the group. It is hoped
of Shine throughout the province, both with to repeat a similar programme to this in other
areas of N. Ireland
members of the council and locally. So far this
has included the promotion of the work of Shine
through fundraising through sponsorship for the
upcoming ‘Shine Across the Bridge’ event on 5th
May, encouraging primary schools in my local
area to hold a Benny Bear Birthday Party and
possibly a province-wide media work involving
interested members willing to share their stories.
I will be getting out and around our adult groups
in the coming days to meet as many of you as
possible; in the meantime anyone who believes
there is something we are missing, or feels we
should be directing our energies towards any
other issue, can contact me on 028 94464435 or
07851142111 or find me on Facebook. An email
address will follow in my next update.

4. For more information on any of these events
Forthcoming Events Email: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk
or Contact no: 01733 555988
May 2012 June 2012
2 Foyle Toddlers Group 2 Wheelchair Basket ball - Magee
3 Omagh Group 6 Foyle Toddlers Group
5 Foyle Peace Bridge Event and Fun Day 7 Omagh Group
9 Lurgan Group 13 Lurgan group
10 Enniskillen Group 14 Enniskillen Group
24 Foyle Parents Group 16 Wheelchair Basket Ball – Magee
27 Belfast Forum 16 Fun Day Valley Leisure Centre
31 Multi sports - Magee 21 Multisport - Magee
28 Foyle Parrnts group
30 Wheelchair Basket Ball
Challenge Karen
Shine supporter Karen Tilson is raising money for the charity by
undertaking a variety of unusual challenges.
So far ‘Challenge Karen’ has included learning 100 words of
German, swimming 100 widths, and reading 100 books. With
more challeges and a fundraising ‘Cinema Night’ planned Karen
is well on her way to raising her target of £1000 for Shine.
Thank you Karen!
turn out at the event and some amazing cars. We
Fundraising round-up were chosen by the Club as their Charity of the
Year - more information later about how much
Fundraising - Eglinton Vintage rally. The we received. Thanks to Martin Henderson our
Eglinton Classic Car Rally was held on 1 April in Member who is also a member of the Eglinton
the City of Derry Rugby Club. There was a brilliant classic Car Club.
If you haven’t already joined us on facebook ‘like’ us today at www.facebook.com/shineUKcharity