view 18 new

Social Affairs magazine for community/voluntary sectorWebsite: viewdigital.org

VIEW

Issue 18, 2013

For FREE at http://bit.ly/1c2jb3Gfacebook.com/VIEWforNITwitter: @ViewforNI

MYVOICENEEDS TO BE HEARD

INSIDE• VIEW talks to Barnardo’sabout child sex exploitationpages four and five

Posed by a model

VIEW, issue 18, 2013 Website: viewdigital.org

VIEW

EditorialVIEW, the online publicationfor the community/voluntarysector in Northern Ireland.

CONTENTSCONTENTSCulture Night

Page 6-7 VIEW takes alook at the recent Culture Night in Belfastas the city rocked to afeast of art and music

Building links

Page 8 A conference willdiscuss thecommunity/voluntarysector in Northern Ireland and the Republicnext month

Staying sober

Pages 10-11 Philip talksto VIEW about his battlewith alcoholism and howhe is now attempting tostay sober and slowly rebuild his life

Photographer Kevincooper has more

than 25 years experience in Press

and Prphotography. Kevin

works to a widerange of clients in

community andvoluntary sector

organisations as wellas the trade union

movement.

Kevin cooper

PHoToLinE

For quoTaTions

conTacT

E: [email protected]: 028 90777299

M: 07712044751

Child sexual exploitation isnot a new phenomenon butit is an issue that has, rightly,

demanded our attention over thepast few weeks.

Because of the insidious natureof this type of abuse, those whowork closely with young peopletalk of ‘lifting the stone and lookingunderneath’ to find it. Traumatisedyoung victims, often groomed intofeeling complicit in their exploita-tion, find it painfully difficult to talkabout their experiences. In fact, socunning and manipulative are theseabusers that the young peoplesometimes believe they are willingparticipants in a loving relation-ship, with abusers chillingly posingas ‘friends’ or ‘boyfriends’.

The children’s charity Bar-bardo’s has long spoken out aboutthis and in 2011 published a reportinto the sexual exploitation ofyoung people in Northern Ireland,Not A World Away. It found thattwo-thirds of girls in care were atrisk – and that half of these chil-

dren were only put at risk afterthey went into care.

Two years after the report, thePSNI are at last conducting anoverarching investigation into theproblem. It follows a review ofcases of young people missingfrom the care system over thepast 18 months. Officers haveidentified 22 potential victims.

Thirty people have been arrested,although only a small number haveso far appeared in court.

Campaigners and those whowork with vulnerable young people have warned that this islikely to be the tip of the iceberg,and that it is not just young peoplein care who are being targeted.

The health minister EdwinPoots last week came under heavycriticism from Sinn Fein healthcommittee chair Maeve McLaugh-lin for not acting on the recom-mendations of the Barnardo’sreport.

The Voice of Young People inCare charity last week warnedagainst political squabbling andpoint-scoring over the issue, andappealed for the focus to return tothe victims. That must happen –but the pressure must remain onthe PSNI, the government andother agencies to ensure thatgangs of sex abusers can no longeroperate in this society, seeminglywithout much fear of prosecution.

VIEW editorLucy Gollogly

Hitting out

Page 12 UNISON NI’sPatricia McKeown tellsthe NICEM conferencethat the “peace processhas failed us”

Homeless plea

Page 16 Depaul Ireland’sKerry Anthony urges usall to redouble our efforts to help thehomeless in the wake oftwo tragic deaths

Fun festival

Page 20 Actress NualaMcKeever at the launchof the Belly Laughs festival which will run inBelfast from September25 to October 6

1. What is your position and how longhave you worked there?

I work as a PR executive for the Prince's Trustand I’ve been there for two years.

2. Your favourite film?

That’s a hard one... there’s quite a few, mainlycomedies, but I suppose my favourite is DirtyRotten Scoundrels with Michael Caine andSteve Martin. I never get tired of watching iteven though I know every line by heart. The‘twist’ at the end is so clever – I just wish theywould make a sequel.

3.Your favourite book or author?

Anything written by Marian Keyes is a greatread for me. Her characters become real people and her descriptions of the situationsthey find themselves in, no matter how dire, arealways hilarious. I always feel better after reading just a few chapters.

4.Five ideal guests for a dinner party -alive or deceased?

Hugh Jackman, Sharon Osborne, Mo Mowlam,Jack Nicholson and Marilyn Monroe.

5. Favourite holiday location and why?

I love the Greek Islands but my favourite is Santorini – especially the resort of Oia. The hotels are built into the cliffs, all painted whiteand blue, with the most amazing views over thecaldera. The closest place to paradise on earth.

6. Most embarrassing moment.

On holiday last year when I slipped off the stageat a karaoke session – but I got back on and finished the song!

7. What expression do you use morethan most?

Overdrawn again

8. Who has been your biggest inspiration to date?

It hasn’t been one particular person. The youngpeople that come through Prince’s Trust have

really opened my eyes to how, with support andencouragement, even the most disadvantagedcan turn their lives around and really get their lives on track. It’s a privilege to workwith them.

9. Pet hate?

People eating with their mouths open – yeuch.

10. Favourite TV show?

Anything with Sarah Beeny in it – she’s down toearth, a great businesswoman, a brilliant multi-tasker, driven and full of great ideas.

11. Your ideal job?

Travelling around luxury holiday destinationsand reviewing them.

12. Tell us a joke?

A man walks into a pet shop and says “Give mea wasp.” The shopkeeper says, “We don’t sell wasps.” Man says, “There’s one in the window.”

Website: viewdigital.orgVIEW, issue 18, 2013

Catriona Couston – PR executive for Prince’s Trust

Your ideal job?Travelling around luxuryholiday destinations andreviewing them.


One young girl who had suffered childsexual exploitation described herexperience as “a very small thumbnail surrounded by darkness”.

She is just one of the children that JacquiMontgomery Devlin from Barnardo’s’ SafeChoices service tries to protect from exploitation.

She said: “One of the younger children weworked with described how she felt when thiswas happening to her.

“She described it as a very small thumbnailsurrounded by darkness and that’s what shedrew – because often these children can’t verbalise how they are feeling or what is happening to them.

“I thought it was quite significant andpoignant – she felt surrounded by darkness,blackness, and had a sense of powerlessness.”

The majority of young people Safe Choiceswork with are aged between 12 and 16, although some are just nine or 10. Most aregirls, although Ms Montgomery Devlin said shebelieved boys were also being targeted.

She said victims often feel anger, frustration, shame and mistrust, especially as

they frequently and mistakenly believe theywere to blame in some way.

“They feel that because they went to thisparty or took the drugs and alcohol off thisperson or they sent these images that they are

to blame – so they have a lot of shame and itmakes it very difficult for them to talk initially.”

Ms Montgomery Devlin said child sexual exploitation remained a “hidden problem” andsomething that all agencies working with youngpeople need to be actively looking for.

“We would talk about lifting the stone andlooking underneath and you have to do thatproactively to see it and really grasp the scaleand nature of the problem,” she said.

A major police investigation into the issue iscurrently under way, something that Ms Montgomery Devlin welcomed.

Officers are investigating reports that 22teenagers, who went missing from children'shomes, were sexually exploited.

There have already been more than 30 arrests.

“It’s good that everybody is recognizing thatit is an issue in Northern Ireland. I don’t thinkany agency is denying any responsibility now.They are all coming on board – they see something needs to be done,” she said.

Two years ago, a Barnardo’s report calledNot A World Away found two-thirds of girls incare homes were at risk.

One youngvictim toldof how she ‘feltsurroundedby darkness’As the PSNI launch a newprobe into child sexualexploitation in Northern Ireland, Jacqui MontgomeryDevlin from Barnardo’s’ SafeChoices tells Lucy Gollogly thatvictims often feel anger, frustration, shame and mistrust

Problem: Jacqui Montgomery Devlin


It made a number of recommendations, including that tackling child sexual exploitation be made a priority in the PSNI’sPolicing Plan.

That did not happen and there has been criticism from some quarters that action hasbeen slow in coming – the chair of the Stormont health committee, Maeve McLaughlin,last week said of the current investigation: “Weneed to have been doing all of this much, muchbetter, much, much earlier.”

The Sinn Fein MLA added: “There are lessons for the PSNI, lessons for the minister for justice and certainly for the community at large.”

There have been suggestions that paramilitaries are involved in child sexual exploitation. Ms Montgomery Devlin said it wasdifficult to confirm this, but that the perceptioncould be as damaging as the reality.

“Perpetrators of this abuse will use realpower or perceived power to groom, threatenand coerce their victims.

“They might have said to a young person, I’msuch and such in whatever paramilitary group –whether they are or not might be irrelevant if

that is sufficient to make that young personscared and coerce them into continuing whatever they are being coerced into doing.”

Meanwhile, the charity Voice of Young People

in Care (VOYPIC) has appealed for an endto the squabbling among politicians over thechild exploitation issue.

Chief executive Vivian McConvey said: “Weneed the energy around that debate maintainedbut focused on the young people and focusedin making the systems work.”

“I take heart from the fact that a conversation has now started so that we canbetter understand child sexual exploitation.That conversation has to continue and we haveto bring about change so that we identify youngpeople at risk faster and we’re more effectivein supporting them," she added.

• If you need help or support or youare concerned that a young person isbeing sexually exploited, call Barnardo’s on 02890 658 511 or theNSPCC helpline on 0800 389 1701.

•You can also report the matter tothe PSNI directly on 0845 600 8000and you will be put in contact with a specially trained police officer whowill speak to you confidentially.

Lessons: Maeve McLaughlin

Night of cultureas Reverend Billycomes to townBy Joseph Pelan

And the Lord said: “Behold, they are one people, and they haveall one language.”

Culture Night 2013 hath come down upon us good folk of Ulsterand in its wake left a warm memory in the collective hearts andminds of Belfast’s usually culture-starved population. Sadly for all,news spread fast that Our Beloved Democracy had died onSeptember 20 in Donegall Street, Belfast. Thankfully, New Yorkanti-consumerist activist and performer Bill Talen (aka ReverendBilly of the Church of Stop Shopping) was on hand to conduct atwo-step forward approach to the Death Of Democracy in aLouisiana-themed funeral procession.

The next cabal of artistic activists proceeded to march throughRoyal Avenue in a high octane drum performance featuringdancers and mobile graffiti floats. Completing the display was amouse-wheeled mobile fire horse from hell.

Fittingly well overdue, the last mention of the evening goes tothe Cathedral quarter’s slowest bike race and the musical soundsat the Tivoli barber shop in Lower North Street.

Hopefully next year, the power of Babel will help prosper amore modern, progressive city as Culture Night again reaches itslofty heights, unless God or Ulster sees otherwise.


CITY BEAT:clockwise fromabove: The ReverendBilly Talena, amusic sessionin the Tivolibarber shop inLower NorthStreet, streetscene in RoyalAvenue andperformersand the slowestbike ride in theCathedralquarterImages: Brian Pelan


Aconference looking at how the community and voluntary sectors inNorthern Ireland and the Republic can

learn from each other is due to take place nextmonth.

The event, organised by the Building ChangeTrust, will focus on the issues raised in a reportby Andy Pollak and Brian Harvey of the Centrefor Cross Border Studies.

The study, the Potential for Cross Border Exchange and Learning in Respect of Change inthe Community and Voluntary Sector, concludedthat a higher level of cross-border cooperationcould help minimise waste and duplication andencourage innovation in the sector.

A panel of experts will give their views onthe report, followed by an open debate on theissues raised.

The panel members are Dr Avila Kilmurray ofthe Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Deirdre Garvey of the Wheel, BreegeLenihan of County Monaghan Community Network, Seamus McAleavey of NICVA, PeteSheridan from Co-operation Ireland and PaddyLogue.

Nigel McKinney, the Building Change Trust’s

director of operations, said: “With governmentfunding shrinking and social need ever-increasing, the role of the community and voluntary sector has never been more crucial. At the Trust we are dedicated to the development of the sector in Northern Ireland,and learning from developments elsewhere inthe UK and Ireland is important.

“Much of the learning about change in thesector understandably comes from elsewhere inthe UK but given the impact of the recessionsouth of the border and the response of thestate and civil society organisations, we thinkthere may be advantages for the community andvoluntary sector in Northern Ireland to learnfrom those developments.

“There are innumerable cultural, social andhistorical similarities as well as important differences between the two jurisdictions, andbringing sector representation together allowsus to look at, in detail, the lessons we can learnfrom one another.

“These lessons are not only in building andmaintaining peace, but also in the developmentof a wide range of services, community development, the growth of philanthropy andbetter interaction with government and local authorities.”

The event takes place on Friday, October 18at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, starting withregistration at 10.30am and closing at 1pm witha networking lunch.

To register for the event go towww.eventbrite.co.uk/event/7391822139/eorg.

Crucial: Nigel McKinney

Better cross-border links on the agendaVIEW, issue 18, 2013 Website: viewdigital.org

Volunteer fair to be held at Millennium ForumTHE volunteer fair organised by Derry CityCouncil’s KickStart to Work Programme inpartnership with the North West VolunteerCentre will be held at the Millennium Forum inDerry on Wednesday, September 25, from10.00am to 5.00pm.

It will be the largest volunteering event in thenorth west of Ireland, with up to 40 groups expected to promote their activities and

encourage people to ‘Say YES to Volunteering’. Jacqueline Garnon, manager, North West

Volunteer Centre, said: “Volunteering is a keypart of community life here in the city. We atthe North West Volunteer Centre know justhow much volunteering enhances the lives oflocal people and in turn helps our communitiesto grow and develop.

“I would encourage everyone, especially

young people, to get involved and during thisspecial year of culture in our city is the perfecttime to get involved. Whether it’s to meet newpeople, learn new skills or to give somethingback, volunteering is for everybody.”

Contact Geoff at the North West VolunteerCentre on tel. 028 7127 1017 or [email protected] to find outmore about this event.

Edwards & Co. solicitors advises charities and the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland

on a wide range of legal issues including charity creation, charitable status and

constitutional matters, trading and commercial arrangements, employment law,

finance, fundraising and property law, as well as dealing with the Charity Commission

for Northern Ireland.

Our team offers a full range of legal services including mediation, criminal law, clinical

negligence and personal injury claims, as well as family/matrimonial work.

Practical advice and a sensitivepersonal approach. We prideourselves on our unrivalledcommitment to clients’ needs.

Contact Jenny and Teresa: Edwards & Co. Solicitors, 28 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA.

Tel: (028) 9032 1863 Email: [email protected]

Web: edwardsandcompany.co.uk

Afew years ago, Philip*, 32, from Omaghwas living “a life beyond his wildestdreams”. That was before alcohol

addiction overwhelmed him, costing him his relationship, home and livelihood.

In his mid-twenties, Philip was working inconstruction. Like many young men, he drankheavily at the weekends. He only realized he had a problem when the work began to dry up.

“I was slowly becoming unemployable, to behonest,” he said.

“You couldn’t depend on me to turn in andif I did turn in I could be under the influenceor go home early.”

He sought help at Ramona House, a rehabilitation centre in Omagh. But he couldnot quite beat his addiction and often slippedback into his old ways.

However, he was sober when, during aweekend trip to the Republic of Ireland, hemet the woman who was to become his fiancée. He eventually moved south to be withher, and quickly found work with a companythat runs underground car parks.

“Even though I wasn’t earning a hugeamount of money, it was good, I was sober, andwe were paying the bills. My ex had a good jobas well.”

Philip started buying and selling used cars in

his spare time, and the business took off. Hewas able to quit his job and the couple boughta luxury home.

“You often hear about a life beyond yourwildest dreams – at one stage I didn’t needanything. I could have anything I wanted, withinreason.

“But looking back on it, I didn’t. I hit that dullpatch where all of a sudden, the sports cars,the luxury 4X4s, the good clothes, the weekends away – they weren’t doing it for me.I wanted that extra kick. It was my addiction. Itwas really going to town on me.”

Although he was still hiding his problemfrom friends and business contacts, Philip was


‘Philip’slowlyrebuildshis lifeafter longbattlewith alcohol addictionLucy Gollogly talks to ‘Philip’who lost his fiancee, home andlivelihood because of a drinkingproblem. Now sober, he is receiving counselling and support at First Housing’s Ramona House in Omagh

beginning to realise the extent of it. “Whenever I started drinking heavily again,

you’d see other people and you’d know theywere, as I call them, seasoned drinkers.

“And I was thinking, there’s really no difference between me and that man at theend of the bar. We’re both in this bar at halften in the morning for a reason.”

Inevitably Philip’s car business was suffering. “For starters, I was drunk mostmornings. And I wasn’t fit to get into the Jeepand head away to buy anything to sell.

“And to be honest all I wanted at that stagewas the drink.”

By last September, it became too much for

Philip’s fiancée and she left him. A few monthslater, at Christmas, he hit his lowest ebb.

“I had no money, there was a bit of drinklying in the house, and there was no food –nothing. And I thought, how am I ever going toget out of this? So I had to head home. I hadno option. My sister accepted me in but on the condition that I went straight to the detoxclinic.”

Philip completed a detox and counsellingprogramme in Ramona House early this year.

Now he is slowly rebuilding his life. The supported accommodation in which he lives isrun by First Housing, one of four organisations in Northern Ireland that recently

received £3.5m from the Big Lottery Fund totackle alcohol abuse.

He is studying for A-levels and eventuallyhopes to train as a lawyer or legal mediator. His college work is giving him hopefor the future. “You don’t know what you haveuntil you’ve lost it,” he said. “But my prioritynow is staying sober and trying to build my lifeback up again.”• For more information contact Ramona House, 96 Circular Road,Omagh, BT79 7HA. Phone: 028 82252730. Website:www.first-housing.com* not his real name.



The Stormont government has become “totally dysfunctional over pursuing theagenda on equality and human rights”,

according to leading trade unionist PatriciaMcKeown.

Ms McKeown, Regional Secretary of UNISON NI and co-convener of the EqualityCommission, said political leaders had failed tofulfill the commitments to equality in the GoodFriday Agreement.

“The people we put faith in to take thispeace process forward have failed us and arenow totally dysfunctional,” she said.

She added: “If it isn’t going to produce a different product that really tackles discrimination and inequality and the absence ofrights in this society then why the hell do wewant it?

“There are easier ways of attacking theenemy than voting it in using a very complex setof arrangements for governance that isn’t takingplace.”

Speaking at the NICEM 15th annual HumanRights and Equality Conference on September20 in Belfast, she said inequality had widenedsince 2007.

Ms McKeown said protections against discrimination and human rights became “highlyexpendable” in times of economic recession.

She said while modest inroads had been

made on issues including LGBT rights and educational disadvantage, substantial inequalitieson the basis of gender, race, class, age, disabilityand sexual orientation remained.

“What worries me is that we are now livingin a place where even the enforcement agenciesare not enforcing the rights and are not usingthe tools the way they should,” she said.

“We would not be living in the world we areliving in now with disadvantage upon disadvantage piling up on the same groups inthis society if we had a Bill of Rights and a genuine commitment to it. Where is the

demand from any part of the political systemfor that very vital piece of the Good FridayAgreement to be enacted?”

She said united action by communities, tradeunions and some politicians had tackled directrule and some of the worst excesses ofThatcher, and demonstrated what couldachieved by working together.

“We are not gelling together as we once did.We need to forget about where the grantmoney is coming from and start biting the handthat feeds us and telling them that they aren’tfeeding us enough.”

The event also saw the launch of the revisedNICEM Racial Equality Audit, which sets standards on achieving racial equality withinNGOs and other organisations.

NICEM Executive Director Patrick Yu saidthat despite the establishment of bodies including the Northern Ireland Human RightsCommission and the Equality Commission, a Billof Rights was urgently needed to tackle racialand other forms of inequality.

“The Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, thelegacy of the past, the complex cultural and social rights which are the essential components under Chapter Six (of the GoodFriday Agreement) to heal, reconcile and reconstruct a new society are still missing,” Mr Yu said.

The people we put faith in to take thispeace process forward have failed us‘ ’

Patricia McKeown, Regional Secretary of UNISON Northern Ireland, delivers her speech at the NICEM conferenceImage: Willis McBriar

Lucy Gollogly reports on the NICEM 15th Human Rights and Equality conference

Action call: Patrick Yu


NEWS IN BRIEF

Bringing VIEW toCultureTECH

Donate money toWillis’s sleep-out

WRDA celebrates30th anniversary

VIEWdigital training associate Willis McBriar istaking part in Byte Night in Belfast in October –the annual sleep out in support of Action forChildren.

Each year hundreds of people from across thetechnology and business community spend anight exposed to the elements in a bid to raisesponsorship and awareness of Action for Children's work to help prevent youth homelessness.

Action for Children helps to prevent youthhomelessness through early intervention by ensuring that young people across the UnitedKingdom are given the support they need beforeit is too late.

To contribute to Willis's fundraising go to:http://bit.ly/1b3NOGI

VIEWdigital Community Interest Company(www.viewdigital.org) which publishes VIEW social affairs magazine and runs media trainingworkshops for the community and voluntary sector recently took part in CultureTECH Junior and gave free workshops aspart of CultureTECH and the Belfast Media Festival in Derry.

More than 300 school children and theirteachers heard about the VIEWdigital media production and training social enterprise for theThird Sector at The Venue at Ebrington Barracks.

VIEWdigital training associates Willis McBriarand Louise Friel also ran free media training workshops at the Millennium Forum and ThePlayhouse.

They took questions from staff from community and voluntary organisation Voice ofYoung People in Care VOYPIC (www.voypic.org)and further education students and lecturersabout the VIEWdigital 'Shoot, Edit & Upload:Practical MultiMedia Production' workshop –using cheap digital cameras and free (or nearlyfree) editing software and building an audiencefor digital media content through social media.

Co-founder Una Murphy said: “Taking part inCultureTECH, CultureTECH Junior and theBelfast Media Festival was a great opportunity tospread our message about digital media production and training for the community andvoluntary sector.

“People can sign up for a FREE magazine andfind our more about the media training workshops on our website www.viewdigital.org”

WOMEN’s Resource and Development Agency(WRDA) is celebrating its 30th anniversary andthe 18th year of its successful Community Facilitator training programme. Jennifer McCann, Sinn Fein MLA, who was among theoriginal cohort of community facilitators, gaveout certificates at the WRDA AGM.

The programme is aimed at women from dis-advantaged communities who take courses andbecome role models to other women to accessopportunities.

The WRDA are based at 6 Mount CharlesStreet, Belfast; tel: 02890 230212; email address –[email protected]

Li Xhen Yu, left, with Sharon Atkinson and Blair Anderson. They are all backing Include Youth's Give and Take Scheme. The charity want a chance to blow thesocks off potential employers so they are sending them out some socks as a reminder of all the simple steps they can take to help young people into employment. If you received some in the post, it just means young people like thethree young women above want to follow in your footsteps.

A major conference on Children’sRight to Play will be held in Belfast inOctober. The two day ‘Driving ThePlay Agenda event has been organised by children and young people’s play agency, PlayBoard.

Speakers include leading campaigners for children’s right toplay including Sue Palmer who said:

“All real children’s play involves anelement of risk, and the more realplay children are allowed the betterthey become at analysing and managing those risks.

“If, on the other hand, adults try toeliminate risk from their lives they’relikely to grow up either undulywreckless or hopelessly timid.”

BELONG, a family support programme for black and ethnic minority children recently arrangedfor seven to twelve year olds fromthe South Down Family Health Initiative in Warrenpoint, Co Downto tell Newry and Mourne DistrictCouncil about their experiences ofplay, as part of the BELONG ‘HearMy Voice’ project.

They used ‘PhotoVoice’ - participa-tory photography and digital storytelling – to highlight their concerns about the right to play.

Using photographs of the beach,play-park and boarded up buildingsthey explained how smelly bins in the

play park, glass on the beach andboarded up buildings all affectedtheir opportunities for them to playoutside.

Deirdre McAliskey of BELONG said:“In this project we wanted children to look at issues around play,to identify these for themselves asrights issues but also to make connections for them with the decision-makers and people whohave responsibility to children to fulfil their right to play.”

Mayor of Newry and Newry Councillor Michael Ruane said that itwas important to get children to putdown their computer games and playoutdoors as well as hear children’sviews about play areas.

“If there are spaces we are missingthat we are not seeing as adults or ascouncillors or whatever authority itmay be, it is important that we takeon board any views the children mayhave and if there is something outthere that we haven’t seen then letthem will tell us about it,” he said.

Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, the Com-missioner for Children and YoungPeople in Northern Ireland, said:“This group of young people haveoutlined many places and spaces inWarrenpoint and how with the helpof the council some things could bechanged.”

Voices raised in support

of children’s right to play

masterclasses VLearn media skills, soak up tips and hands-on learning from expert Media & IT practitioners

Shoot, Edit & Upload! with WillisMcBriar

TV Interviews – Broadcast MediaWorkshop with Julia Paul

Digital Magazine Publishing andDistribution with Brian Pelanand Louise Friel

Digital content development forsocial media platforms withKathleen Holmund

Learn to shoot, edit and upload videocontent to web and social media sites in aday. These hands-on, full-day and half-daymasterclasses will teach you how to usecheap cameras and free (or nearly free)software to deliver you organisation’smessage via Youtube or Vimeo and thenpublicise it using Facebook and Twitter.

Media trainer Julia Paul, who is just backfrom a writing trip to Afghanistan, is hosting a VIEWdigital TV interview workshop for the community and voluntary sector. It's tough getting in frontof a TV camera but experienced broadcast journalist and writer Julia Paulwill tell how to get the best out of thisclass with practical tips and exercises.

Experienced journalist Brian Pelan (left)and online specialist Louise Friel will takeyou through the steps of how to publishand deliver content onto the web

Media consultant Kathleen Holmund willdeliver a workshop on how to improvedigital content on your website and theuse of blogging to deliver your message

Saturday workshopsDates & times:Oct 5, 9.30am - 2.30pmLocation:VIEWdigital, Cromac Regeneration InitiativeOrmeau Road/DonegallPass, Belfast. BT7 1DTPrice:£89 – with discounts available Event capacity: five

Date & time:October 1. 9.30am – 4.30pmLocation:VIEWdigital, Cromac Regeneration InitiativeOrmeau Road/DonegallPass, Belfast. BT7 1DTPrice:£139 per person, with discounts available for multiple bookings – includeslunch and refreshments Event capacity: 10

Date & time:Oct 12, 9.30am - 2.30pm Location:Cromac Regeneration Initiative, Belfast. BT7 1DTPrice:£89 – with discounts available

Date & time:Oct 26, 9.30am - 2.30pm Location:Cromac Regeneration Initiative, Belfast. BT7 1DTPrice:£89 – with discounts available

Book now on telephone: 07528 367312 or send an Email to [email protected]. Visit www.viewdigital.org/media-training-workshops for further information


Working in the homeless sector with those who are most inneed, you would imagine that I am used to hearing stories aboutthe hardships and difficulties of people living in our services.

Less than a month ago, a man who had been homeless was founddead in Dublin; crushed in a recycling bin that was collected from the citycentre. It emerged soon after that this man was Henryk, who until recently, was engaged with Depaul Ireland. He was a 43-year-old Polish national who came to Ireland to seek work and due to the impact of therecession he became homeless.

Then on September 4, a man in his 40s lay dead on a Belfast city centre street for three hours while people passed him by. I received a calllater that day to inform me that this man was Jackie. He lived in DepaulIreland’s Stella Maris service which is a support facility for those that facehomelessness and have a history of alcohol misuse.

These lonely and isolated deaths moved me and all of us within Depaul Ireland.

Untimely deaths like these unsettle all of us, even the most seasonedprofessionals working in the area of homelessness. Their stories remind usto be compassionate and empathetic towards people who are vulnerableand marginalised and remind me why I started working in the homelesssector over 15 years ago.

Their deaths highlighted for me the vulnerability of the people wework with and the pressing need for services like ours which meet theirneeds and which help them take steps towards a more positive and moreindependent future.

Last year Depaul Ireland marked 10 years of supporting people thatare homeless or at risk of homelessness.

There were 1,547 people, like Jackie and Henryk, that sought support from Depaul Ireland in 2012. Over the past decade we havehelped make a difference in the lives of 8,966 people. In the areas of community and outreach, vulnerable families, harm reduction and criminal

justice. Last year our services helped to resettle 328 people into the community.

When I meet the people we work with and hear their stories, Irenew my commitment to working to influence professional structures,pragmatic responses and systemic change in homeless services. That iswhat I am employed to do and I do what I can to make a difference. Butwe all can play a role, you don’t need to be a professional working in thefield to understand that behind every person dealing with homelessnessthere is a personal touching story and families who still care for them.

When we are wrapped up in our own thoughts, our natural response is often to look away or feel slightly intimidated when we seepeople on the street.

It is important that, as a society, we do not close our eyes to peoplein need. I would urge people not to ignore people who are homeless butto take the time to look deeper and recognise that it is a human beingwho may be in a time of distress or struggle.

A smile costs nothing, and more often than not, the simplest of exchanges, a nod of acknowledgement, can help lighten people in a time ofhardship.

I would urge people if they have any concerns about an individualthey see on the streets to contact one of the agencies, like ourselves, thatare here to support them.

Do not look away. There is hope and there is help out there. You canbe part of the solution.

• Contact Depaul Ireland at its Belfast office –Ravara House, 1 Fitzwilliam Avenue, Belfast, BT7 2HJ. 028 906 47755 or email: [email protected].

• Dublin Office –18 Nicholas Street, Chistchurch, Dublin 8,00353 (0) 1 453 7111 or email: [email protected].

In the wake of two recent tragic deaths of homelessmen in Belfast and Dublin, Kerry Anthony, chiefexecutive of Depaul Ireland, urges us all to redoubleour efforts to support the homeless amongst us

Comment

We must not close our eyes to people in need‘

’Plea: Depaul Ireland’s KerryAnthony urgespeople to assist thehomeless andnot to lookaway


Amidst a storm of controversy 21years ago this month the BrookAdvisory Centre opened in

Belfast city centre. It was a momentous achievement in the faceof enormous opposition from social conservatives across the spectrum ofNorthern Ireland politics.

Indeed it was said that Brook wasthe one thing that had united the usually opposed and entrenched extremes.

I was at the time Director of Public Health for Belfast and the surrounding council areas. In my veryfirst annual report on the state of thehealth of the population I noted thatthere was a high birth rate amongstteenagers.

The following year I looked at theissues in more depth and my reportrecommended that action needed tobe taken to help young people avoidunwanted pregnancy.

Using my report I was able to persuade the Eastern Health and Social Services Board that we shouldfund the development of a sexual health service for young people.

I had come across Brook Advisoryas a student in London and knew thatas an organisation they placed enormous stress both on confidentiality and on providing aservice that young people would feelcomfortable in visiting. I invited themto establish a branch in Northern

Ireland. I had never regarded theprovision of sexual health services foryoung people to be a matter of particular controversy and wasamazed at the vitriolic, intolerant andbullying opposition that emerged assoon as it became known that theclinic was to be established.

Such was the nature of the barrage of criticism that I becamefirmly convinced that Brook wouldnot only help prevent unwanted pregnancies, but that, as a society, wecould not afford to lose what became a highly publicised and polarised battle.

Luckily the local Brook committee contained enormouslycommitted individuals whose effortsmade sure that the clinic did comeabout. The most prominent campaigner was Audrey Simpson ofthe Family Planning Association and itis no exaggeration to say that she wasthe driving force that made the clinichappen.

It was a difficult time for me personally as I faced both highly public demands for my resignation orsacking and death threats.

Two prominent general practitioners launched a judicial review application seeking to have theEastern Board’s decision to fundBrook declared illegal. Happily myreasoning in inviting Brook and theprocess we followed stood up to extensive scrutiny.

But the real turning point was thevote at a full meeting of Belfast CityCouncil to support the clinic. The outcome of the vote was a majorshock to everyone, supporters as wellas opponents. It was very clear that itwas councillors from the working classareas of Belfast that had made thedifference. They knew exactly thedevastating effect that teenage pregnancy was having on many youngwomen and they voted accordingly.

An unsung supporter of Brookwas Richard Needham, the Tory minister in Northern Ireland with responsibility for health and environment. He not only resistedsubstantial pressure from local politicians demanding that he interfere with the decision to fundBrook but also gave a fair wind to theplanning application for change of useof the premises for the clinic.

The battle for Brook was wonand, despite years of picketing by opponents, it thrives. It has undoubtedly improved the lives ofthousands of young people and forthat it deserves applause and ourgratitude.

The real heroes are the staff ofBrook, who have at times had towithstand outrageous levels of personal abuse and, in particular, theyoung people who, in the early days,bravely made their way through thepicket lines to access the advice andhelp that they needed.

Gabriel Scally – the former Director of Public Healthin Belfast – looks back on some turbulent times asthe Brook Advisory Clinic celebrates 21 years ofproviding a sexual health service to young people

Comment

I was amazed at opposition to a sexual health service‘

’

Dan Gordon, comedian, actor andwriter, with MaryCrawford, Directorof Brook NorthernIreland, and GabrielScally, attendingBrook Northern Ireland’s 21st birthday celebrations at theMerchant Hotel inBelfast

Image: Kevin Cooper


Clare Bailey, left, with Jill Hodgson, Dr CaroleJennings and Lorraine Brennan at the recent21st party celebration for the Brook AdvisoryClinic at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast

Image: Kevin CooperIf you would like your community/voluntary organisation to be selected for TheBig Picture in the next issue of VIEW, sendimages, marked ‘Big Picture entry’ to [email protected]

The Big Picture


THE Belfast Palestine Arts Festival2013 will host a colourful array ofmusic sessions, film screenings, photography exhibitions and discussions throughout Belfast city centre from October 9 to October 13.

The aim of the festival is to provide a platform for Palestinian cinema and culture in the heart ofBelfast – featuring international andlocal artists – and to bring a fresh perspective on Palestine’s economic, social and cultural life.

Events at the festival are freeapart from music sessions where allmoney raised will go towards a

humanitarian aid convoy travelling from Belfast to Shatila Refugee Camp in late October.

Included in the programme isMahdi Fleifel's Award winning documentary ‘A World Not Ours’.

It’s a bleak, yet humorous look, at the daily grind for the inhabitants in Lebanon’s largestPalestinian refugee camp; Ein el-Helweh.

Visit the Facebook page atBelfast Palestine Arts Festival –https://www.facebook.com/pages/Belfast-Palestine-Arts-Festi-val/285625388246406.

Bringing a taste of

Palestine to Belfast

Nuala McKeever (Belly Laughs board member and actress/writer) at the launch of the Belly Laughs comedy festival. Itwill run in Belfast – from September 25 to October 6 – at a host of venues throughout the city Image: Kevin Cooper

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