Happy New Year! Welcome to the first edition of ROCNI's Action Group News for 2025!
A new year brings new opportunities, hopes and resolutions (how are they going?). At ROCNI we're looking forward to facilitating more community safety themed Project Can Do programmes in North Belfast schools, facilitating health & wellbeing sessions in the Fit For Life programme at St Michael's Church as well as continuing to equip and empower people of goodwill to work together for safer, stronger communities.
2025 also brings new additions to the ROCNI Staff Team. We're delighted to welcome Amy Thomas, our new Fundraising Officer, who is part of the Rank Foundation's Time to Shine leadership programme.
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'.
Welcoming Amy to the ROCNI team!
I'm Amy, the new Fundraising Officer for ROC Northern Ireland. I am really looking forward to joining the team and working with everyone on different community projects, helping to get funding for as many great causes as possible during my year on the team! I'm excited to be taking part in the Rank Foundation's Time to Shine Programme.
We're delighted to welcome Amy on to the ROCNI Staff team in this very important new role. Thank you to the Rank Foundation for funding our first 'Time to Shiner' at ROC and for supporting the growth and development of our work in Northern Ireland.
Join our brand new Whatsapp Community Group Chat to find out regular information about ongoing projects across Northern Ireland!
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.
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'.
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 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.
We are very grateful for the supporters, trusts and funding bodies who have financially supported us since we launched in May 2012. Every donation has been instrumental in expanding and enhancing ROC initiatives within communities throughout Northern Ireland.
Like many charities in the community and voluntary sector, ROC has felt the effects of funding budget reductions along with the rise in operating costs.
There are a several 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 contribute, follow the link below.
Could you organise a fundraising event for us such as a coffee morning, a sponsored walk, or a supermarket bag pack?
You can also invite the ROC Team to speak about our work at your church groups or services!
If you're interested in getting involved or have a fundraising idea, don't hesitate to reach out to Amy Thomas for more information.
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!
To feature as our Organisation Highlight. Contact us at benmcgurk@roc.uk.com or 02890351020.
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.
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