Banbridge High School, St Patrick’s College and Newbridge Integrated College sixth form students took part in a Mindful Volunteering Day as part of Shared Education and Good Relations Week.
Friday 20 September
3:15pm – 3:45pmUlster Angling Federation has been working hard to reel in new participants thanks to their Get Fishing NI programme!
Made possible thanks to @nationallotterygoodcauses funding, Get Fishing NI is all about increasing accessibility and improving community outreach to underrepresented groups.
65 people took part in the programme in Armagh, Coleraine and Newtownards. 40% of participants were young people, 37% female, 35% considered themselves as having a disability and 8% were from an ethnic minority.
Thanks to its success, Ulster Angling Foundation now hope to extend the programme to other areas so watch this space! #PowerOfSport #GRW24
The red carpet was rolled out at the weekend to celebrate the Community Awards 2024, with a glittering ceremony recognising and rewarding some of our incredible community champions.
A total of 34 groups and individuals from across the borough were shortlisted for 11 awards. Each received high praise for being a leading example of good citizenship and selfless dedication to better community causes and deliver positive outcomes for people from all backgrounds.
Speaking at the awards, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Sarah Duffy praised the exceptional endeavours of all those receiving a nomination.
“Our Community Awards, which celebrate the spirit of volunteering in the borough, allows us the opportunity to show our gratitude for all the hard work these extraordinary people have undertaken – and highlights the commitment each and every one of them has offered, bringing positive change and instilling civic pride.
“It was very apt that our awards coincided with Good Relations Week and this really added to the celebrations on the night as we recognised so many remarkable people who endeavour to work together to benefit others.
“I would like to take this opportunity thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do for others across the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon borough, and for all our sponsors for generously giving their support on the night.”
The awards were thoroughly enjoyed by all thanks to a wonderful evening hosted at the Seagoe Hotel, a delicious banquet, musical entertainment courtesy of the amazing Niamh Node, The Girl with the Harp, and the extremely talented Dukes.
TV Personality Sarah Travers was MC for the night and made it one to remember!
The Community Awards were supported by The Executive Office District Councils Good Relation Programme along with local businesses sponsoring the various award categories.
And the winners were:
COMMUNITY ECO AWARD: Sponsored by Traynors
Winner: Taghnevan Community Development Association
INNOVATION AWARD: Sponsored by Avondale Foods
Winner: VIBE
EQUALITY AND GOOD RELATIONS AWARD: Sponsored by Thompson Aero Seating
Winner: Armagh Roma and Traveller Support Group
AGE FREINDLY AWARD: Sponsored by Tarasis Enterprises
Winner: Loughshore Care Partnership
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Sponsored by Armagh Credit Union
Winner: Conor Hegarty
COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARD: Sponsored by Turkington Holdings
Winner: Lurgan Bowling Club
HEALTH AND WELL BEING AWARD: Sponsored by Linwoods
Winner: Fitzone Foundation
Under 18 Youth Volunteer: Sponsored by Manfreight
Winner: Alex Cooper
OpportUNITY AWARD: Sponsored by The Executive Office
Winner: First Bulgarian School
YOUTH CHAMPION AWARD: Sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Winner: VIBE
LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARD: Sponsored by Seagoe Hotel
Winner: Pearl Snowden
As part of their Good Relations Week celebrations, Hart Memorial Primary School and Presentation Primary School held a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
They would like to give a special thanks to all supporters and contributors who raised and amazing £500.09!
Get the date in your diary, round up the family and prepare to have the best day at a fabulous free family fun day taking place in Tannaghmore Gardens on Saturday 21st September from noon to 4pm!
This event is to celebrate Good Relations Week and will have a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy! With inflatables, sports, climbing wall, arts and crafts, science workshops, circus skills and an exhibition from Exploris Aquarium, this will be a day to remember!
There will also be lots of food vendors to satisfy any sweet or savoury cravings and an opportunity for residents to engage with a range of different service providers such as Community Development, PCSP and Advice Services.
So, why not come along in ‘unity’ with family and friends and enjoy some quality time together and a lot of fun!
Registration is not essential but you can express your interest in the event here: https://forms.office.com/e/8WnektJJmc
The theme of Good Relations Week 2024 is ‘OpportUNITY’ – a call to action to create a brighter, inclusive future for all. ‘OpportUNITY’ is a collective moment for us all to UNITE and be architects of change in helping build a region where every voice matters.
Good Relations Week provides an opportunity to showcase the vital role of good relations work in peace building and community cohesion.
Parallel Histories are delighted that St Ronan’s College is taking part in the Parallel Histories/Good Relations Week Debates on controversial Northern Irish histories at Stormont on 13th September.
At the Stormont debates, students from across Northern Ireland will investigate the controversial histories of Northern Ireland. This workshop is to prepare them for working on sensitive topics with people the same age from across communities. They will focus on collaboratively investigating and then articulating views drawn from sources first from one side and then from the other in conversational debate. In the process they will learn how histories have been constructed and develop the skills and confidence they need to listen, question, and arrive at their own, informed choices.
Parallel Histories are delighted that St Patrick’s High School, Keady, is taking part in the Parallel Histories/Good Relations Week Debates on controversial Northern Irish histories at Stormont on 13th September.
At the Stormont debates, students from across Northern Ireland will investigate the controversial histories of Northern Ireland. This workshop is to prepare them for working on sensitive topics with people the same age from across communities. They will focus on collaboratively investigating and then articulating views drawn from sources first from one side and then from the other in conversational debate. In the process they will learn how histories have been constructed and develop the skills and confidence they need to listen, question, and arrive at their own, informed choices.
Parallel Histories are delighted that South Regional College is taking part in the Parallel Histories/Good Relations Week Debates on controversial Northern Irish histories at Stormont on 13th September.
At the Stormont debates, students from across Northern Ireland will investigate the controversial histories of Northern Ireland. This workshop is to prepare them for working on sensitive topics with people the same age from across communities. They will focus on collaboratively investigating and then articulating views drawn from sources first from one side and then from the other in conversational debate. In the process they will learn how histories have been constructed and develop the skills and confidence they need to listen, question, and arrive at their own, informed choices.
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council’s Community Awards 2024 aim to recognise groups and individuals who make a valuable contribution to community life.
These awards are designed to give the opportunity to recognise and thank local people of outstanding merit for making a difference to the lives of others in our Council area.
This year, as part of Good Relations Week 2024, a new award has been added, the ‘OpportUNITY Award’ which will be awarded to a community group who showcases action, enthusiasm and commitment in their daily efforts to foster positive community relations and promote cultural diversity across the region.
The Community Awards 2024 ceremony will take place on Friday 20th September 2024 at the Seagoe Hotel, Portadown at 7pm