Welcome to our December edition of ROCNI's Action Group News!
We can't quite believe we're approaching the end of 2-24 - this year has flown by! We're taking a reflective approach to this month's Action Group News as we look back on ROC's work over the past year as well as update you on this month's Winter Coat Projects and Project Can Do! programmes. 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'.
Join our brand new Whatsapp Community Group Chat to find out regular information about ongoing projects across Northern Ireland!
Winter Coat Project 2024 - Mission Complete!
ROC's Winter Coat Projects in Bangor, Glengormley, North Belfast, Omagh and Rathcoole gave away over 1500 coats, helping many keep warm over the winter months.
The Winter Coat Project is an initiative that brings the whole community together encouraging generosity, partnership working as well as providing practical support. Whether you hosted a pop-up event, were a donation point, volunteered your time or donated a coat - thank you for being part of the Winter Coat Project 2024.
Special thank you to Orchardville Charity along with Ards and North Down Borough Council for coordinating the initiative in Bangor Elim, St Paul's and St Barnabas' Church of Ireland and the ROC North Belfast Action Group, Newtownabbey Methodist Mission in Rathcoole, St Columba's Church of Ireland in Omagh and Glengormley Methodist Church in Newtownabbey who partnered with us on this year's campaign. Thank you also to the staff from Danske Bank who volunteered their time at projects in Glengormley and North Belfast.
We say it every year, but it remains true - the generosity in our communities is incredible. For those who donated, know at each Winter Coat Project there was joy and deep appreciation as coats are picked out, tried on and taken home.
It's been a year of Project Can Do!
ROC's newest community programme Project Can Do! has grown from strength to strength in 2024 with seven programmes delivered by the ROCNI Staff team. Not only that, we have diversified Project Can Do! from a community connections programme to include themes of health and wellbeing and community safety.
We've enjoyed facilitating our Project Can Do programmes in Ballybeen, Ballyclare, Newtownabbey and across North Belfast. Whether we've discussed the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing, keeping safe or learnt new ways to keep costs down, there's always been a strong sense of community. We love meeting new people and seeing participants' confidence grow as they begin to make the changes in their lives. Project Can Do! has also boosted community connections leading to new partnerships and community initiatives.
Thank you to all participants who committed each week to their Project Can Do! programme, to our special guest speakers and our community partners for hosting Project Can Do! programmes this year. Special thank you to our funders - the Public Health Agency through the Clear Project (Mossley, Newtownabbey & St Michael's), Lisburn and Castlereagh Borough Council (Ballybeen) and Northern Ireland Police Property Fund (North Belfast Primary Schools) for providing the funding to enable these programmes to take place.
Interested in hosting a Project Can Do programme in your community? ROC Staff can deliver a community connections or five-week health and wellbeing community programme for your school parents group, women's and mens groups, church groups as well as community organisations. It's a great way to build connections with your local community and improve personal wellbeing as championed by recent participants:
'Very relaxing - taking time out to do something different helped me'
'I find this a very relaxing experience'
'Lovely to meet new people and share our thoughts'
Get in touch with Keeva, via northernireland@roc.uk.com, to explore how we can bring Project Can Do! to your community in 2025.
We're delighted to partner with St Michael's Church of Ireland in the Lower Shankill to facilitate our health and wellbeing Project Can DO! sessions in their new 'Fit for Life' programme. We'll be facilitating monthly sessions on the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing with follow-up events and trips in connection with each theme.
If you're in the area, pop in and be part of 'Fit for Life'.
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.
We recently completed our first programme in Currie Primary School 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.'
We currently have availability in the New Year to deliver the programme in four schools in North Belfast. If you would be interested in finding out more, click on the link below or contact the ROCNI Office.
ROC Webinar Resources
Did you miss our recent ROC Webinar? 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. Click here to find out more.
Our final Coffee & Connect for 2024 is happening on Tuesday 17th December from 10.30am - 12pm at the ROCNI Office (Vine Centre, 193 Crumlin Road, Belfast BT14 7AA)
You are very welcome to join us as we look back on the year whilst having some Christmas treats!
People of Goodwill
Are you an organisation based in Northern Ireland? Do you have a project you would like us to share? Then why not get in touch to be featured in our series!
To feature in our PEOPLE OF GOODWILL series. Contact us at benmcgurk@roc.uk.com or 02890351020
Organisation Highlight
Are you and your organisation interested in featuring in our monthly Action Group News?
Get in touch with us to find out how you can feature as our 'Organisation Highlight' each month!
Email: northernireland@roc.uk.com or 02890351020
We are very grateful for the supporters, trusts and funding bodies who have financially supported us since we launched in May 2012. Every generous gift has enabled us to grow and develop ROC's work in communities across Northern Ireland.
Like many community and voluntary sector groups, ROC has been impacted by funding budget cuts. There are a number of ways you, your church or group can help us...
Would you consider giving a one-off donation or a monthly gift to support our work here? Further details on how to make a donation, click the link below. Or could you host a fundraising event on our behalf...a coffee morning? a sponsored walk? a supermarket bag pack? Invite the ROC Team to speak about our work at your church groups or services! If you would like to get involved or have a fundraising idea, please contact the ROC Team for further details.
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