Welcome to the latest edition of ROCNI's Action Group News!
Spring is in the air - it's so good to see the longer days, spring plants flowering and hopefully more sunshine. The ROC Team completed the Fit for Life Health and Wellbeing programme in the Lower Shankill with a community health and wellbeing fair. Two more community safety Project Can Do! programmes completed in Ballysillan and Lowwood Primary Schools with three more programmes starting in early March. Amy and Keeva started off February with a trip to Liverpool for the Time to Shine Launch Conference and throughout the month the staff team have continued submitting funding grant applications, updating our website and planning events and programmes for the year ahead.
Scroll down for our latest news and opportunities to get involved in ROC's work in Northern Ireland. Thank you for your continued support as we seek to 'empower people of goodwill to work together for safer, stronger communities'.
Are you interested in partnering with ROCNI on a project in 2025?!
Partnership working underlines ROC's ethos and mission. We are thankful for the many different groups who work with us whether churches, police, corporate businesses, schools or other community and voluntary groups - each bring something valuable to all our community initiatives and programmes.
There are several opportunities to partner with us this year - would you consider hosting a ROC Compassion Project? Or partnering with us to facilitate a Project Can Do programme? Maybe your church could support local families through our ROC Mentors programme? Or would you be willing to host a fundraising activity on our behalf?
As a charity, ROC equips and empowers people like you to make a difference in their local community. Get in touch with Keeva today to explore ways we can work together in 2025.
Since 2019, ROCNI's School Uniform Projects have supported over 3,000 children across Greater Belfast with new and pre-loved uniform items. Last summer, the School Uniform Project took place in seven locations and we're now planning our 2025 projects.
There are various ways to partner with us on this community initiative:
- host a school uniform project in your church or community centre
- become a donation point for a local initiative
- volunteer at a local project
- donate uniform and/or stationary items
- promote the projects on your socials
With the cost of living continuing to impact family finances initiatives like the ROC School Uniform Project will be needed in communities across Northern Ireland. Get in touch for further details on how you can get involved this summer.
Lower North Belfast Action Group 3 Year Anniversary
The 22nd February marked three years since the ROC Conversation in Lower North Belfast. The multi-agency Action Group has worked together on a number of new community initiatives and programmes to support the wider community. In fact, the Action Group has ticked off most of the recommendations in the ROC Conversation report (and added some of their own!)
Thank you to everyone who has journeyed alongside us over the past three years, helping turn the conversation into action!
Happy 3rd Birthday ROC North Belfast!
Update from Amy!
As ROCNI’s newest member of staff, I wanted to give you a bit of background on my role and how I have come to be part of the team! I am lucky enough to have received funding from the Rank Foundation to participate in their Time to Shine Programme. Time to Shine supports individuals at the beginning of their career who are looking to go into the social sector by developing their leadership skills and potential through a year-long paid role in an organisation. This means that alongside my work as ROC’s Fundraising Officer, I am also part of their amazing leadership programme. At the beginning of February, Keeva and myself headed over to Liverpool for the Programme Launch Conference, where we met lots of the other fantastic charity and voluntary organisations part of the programme this year. I'm really looking forward to connecting with these different organisations in the sector over the year to come.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will be launching several fundraising campaigns to help us raise money for the School Uniform and Winter Coat Projects, and to be able to run more of our Project Can Do! Programmes. I’m sure you will be hearing much more from me about these in due course, but if you are interested in holding a fundraising event, please do get in touch here amythomas@roc.uk.com
Over the past five months, we've enjoyed working with St Michael's Church of Ireland in the Lower Shankill to deliver health and wellbeing Project Can DO! sessions in their 'Fit for Life' programme. The bacon baps, warm welcome, chat and laughs have made Thursday mornings lots of fun. But most importantly, this fabulous group of mums, along with their little ones, have stepped out of their comfort zones as they've explored the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing in their lives.
The programme concluded on 27th February with a Community Health and Wellbeing Fair in the church hall. With 22 health and wellbeing charities and organisations in the Exhibition Zone, a fitness session with Challenge Training Studios, relaxation techniques, breast screening awareness info session, a treasure hunt, yummy treats and opportunity to connect - it was a very busy morning.
Thank you to St Michael's Church of Ireland for partnering with us on this health and wellbeing programme, and for the PHA through the Clear Project for funding the Fit for Life programme.
Project CAN DO! Health & Wellbeing Programme
Since 2023, ROC have facilitated five health and wellbeing themed Project Can Do programmes in Ballyclare, Larne, Newtownabbey and Shankill supporting over fifty people of all ages and backgrounds. Project Can Do! health and wellbeing community project is a comprehensive six-week programme, including five workshop sessions and one concluding event. The programme covers a range of topics aimed at enhancing community connection and personal wellbeing.
Based on the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing, each week focuses on a different theme: Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Give to Others, and Take Notice. Participants are able to engage in a wide variety of interactive activities designed to promote mental and physical well-being, encourage continuous learning, foster a sense of community, and enhance mindfulness and present-moment awareness.
Would you be interested in running a Project Can Do Health and Wellbeing Programme in your school, church or community organisation? Get in touch with Keeva at northernireland@roc.uk.com for further details.
Project CAN DO! Community Safety Programme
We are piloting a new Community Safety themed Project Can Do programme for parents of primary school aged children in North Belfast. Thanks to funding from the Northern Ireland Police Property Fund, we're able to facilitate the five-week programme in nine primary schools. The programme in partnership with the Neighbourhood Police Team explores various community safety topics including keeping your property safe, keeping safe online as well as keeping safe in your community. The programme is informal yet informative and helps provide up to date information and resources to parents.
So far we have completed two programmes in Currie and Seaview Primary Schools with parents commenting that:
'Everything explained so simple so I could understand everything even with my language barrier. Thank You.'
'It was very educative and engaging. I now understand much better how to confidently protect my home.'
This year, we're bringing Community Safety Project Can Do! to Ballysillan and Ligoneil Primary Schools, with availability to deliver the programme in four more schools in North Belfast and Shankill areas. If you're interested in finding out more, click on the link below or contact the ROCNI Office.
ROC Webinar Resources
Did you miss our recent ROC Webinars? Fear not, we have uploaded the masterclasses onto ROC's online shop which you can download to watch at a time to suit you. Choose from 'Building Blocks to Community Transformation' and the topical 'Using AI for fundraising' - with more Masterclass videos coming soon.
We also have a range of helpful resources on our website to equip you and your team and churches with the skills they need for community transformation.
“Building a Lasting Legacy of Peace”
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our latest educational resource, “Building a Lasting Legacy of Peace”, now available in the ROC Shop! This dynamic and engaging resource pack has been carefully designed to inspire and educate young people in Key Stages 2 and 3, equipping them with essential skills and values to foster a more peaceful and cohesive society.
What Is the Legacy of Peace Resource Pack?
This innovative educational pack provides teachers and facilitators with a comprehensive toolkit to explore themes of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community cohesion with young learners. The materials are tailored to align with curriculum requirements for Key Stages 2 and 3, making it an invaluable asset for classrooms, youth groups, and community projects alike.
The pack includes:
Lesson plans and activities that are engaging, interactive, and adaptable to diverse learning environments.
Inspirational stories of real-life peacebuilders and their impactful work.
Practical exercises designed to build empathy, understanding, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Creative resources to encourage reflection and critical thinking around the concept of peace.
Help us continue to make a difference in Northern Ireland!
Since May 2012, ROC have been working in communities across Northern Ireland delivering hundreds of programmes. We could not do this work without the financial support of trusts, funding bodies and all our supporters.
We're continuing to work on how we can expand and enhance our community initiatives and do even more for the communities we work in. But we can’t do it without your continued help and support.
There are several ways you, your church or group can help us:
Donate through the link below. One-off donations or monthly support mean you can choose the option that best suits you, to help support our work.
Fundraise by organising a coffee morning, sponsored walk or a supermarket bag pack. We can help you to organise and run events that bring people together in your community and help raise money for a great cause!
Host a member of the ROC Team to speak about our work at your church groups or services. We are always looking for opportunities to connect with people in the community who want to learn more about us and what we do.
If you are interested in getting involved with our work or have a fundraising idea you would like to see happen, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Fundraising Officer Amy at amythomas@roc.uk.com
Your Vote Can Make a difference!
You have another opportunity to vote for ROCNI in the Benefact Group's Movement for Good awards. With your support, we can secure much needed funds to help with our School Uniform and Winter Coat Compassion projects! This month, Benefact Group will be 'Doubling the Winners', so your vote can make a difference.
How can you help:
👉 Cast your vote for ROCNI and help us create a real impact in communities across Northern Ireland this year.
👉 Every vote enables us to provide more School Uniforms, Winter Coats and other essentials for people in our communities.
🗓️ Voting is open now, so don't wait! Click here to vote now: https://movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=1139817&ct=community#nominateACharity
Thank you for supporting our mission to support and empower people of goodwill to work together for safer stronger and kinder communities!
Comments