On Tuesday May 10 2011 the Sensory Engagement Programme, led by the Royal National Institute of Blind People [RNIB NI], held an information day at the Ryandale Inn, Moy, with input from the Southern Area HSCT (Health and Social Care Trust) SRC (Southern Regional College), Libraries NI and Conservation Volunteers NI (Green Gym).
The aim of the event was to invite blind and partially sighted people, living within the Southern HSCT area and those living across the border, in the Louth and Monaghan areas, to find out more of what services exist in their area and what projects and new initiatives are currently running which may be of interest.
The Sensory Engagement Programme is an innovative cross-border project, which received £1.86 million worth of funding through the EU's INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The project brings together four of the largest organisations providing support services for deaf and blind people across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People [RNIB NI], The Royal National Institute of Deaf People [RNID NI], the National Council for the Blind of Ireland [NCBI] and Deafhear.
Those who attended this event were treated to presentations by RNIB NI's Olive Rogers, Programme Manager for the Finding Your Feet project, which is designed to enable people living with sight loss, and their families, to explore and confront the issues surrounding living their daily lives as blind or partially Sighted people and to improve their quality of life. There was also a presentation by Project Officer Ronda Richardson of the SHSCT's Fit for You programme, a project which aims to empower people with physical and/or sensory disabilities to improve their health through participation in a range of physical activity and leisure opportunities.
Ronda Richardson said:
"A lot of people have said how activities such as those offered by the Fit For You project help to boost confidence. I know quite a few people who have gone on to take part in many other activities and aspects of community life. Sometimes the hardest part is that first step. Quite often I find that once someone gets involved in one activity it gives them the motivation to carry on and involve themselves in all sorts of things. It really gives them a boost to their self-esteem."
RNIB NI'S Danny McSherry Project Coordinator for the Sensory Engagement Programme said: "Today has been all about the individual service user being able to come along and see for themselves what's possible. It is great to see all the organisations here, there's something for everyone, whether it be IT training and learning about accessing computers with adaptive software or, finding out about further education courses.
"If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Sensory Engagement Programme, you can contact me on 07940 718434 or by email, danny.mcsherry@rnib.org.uk"
Theresa Devlin, a service user from Newry spoke about her experience of the Finding Your Feet programme: "Jerry, my husband, and I went on the Finding Your Feet weekend two years ago, I'm only sorry we didn't go before. I found it very enlightening and the staff who took the sessions were extremely helpful. They told me to persevere, if at first you don't succeed try again, Don't be afraid to ask for help. I found that very useful. If you're in a shop and you can't see what you're looking for, there's always someone you can ask and they will help you."
Ends.
Notes for Editors
For any further media inquiries please contact Thomas Quigley
TEL: 02890 334121, MOB: 07909 647272
thomas.quigley@rnib.org.uk
For any further inquiries regarding the Sensory Engagement Programme activity in your area, please contact Danny McSherry,
MOB: 07940 718434
danny.mcsherry@rnib.org.uk
SEUPB - INTERREG IVA Programme
The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU structural funds Programmes PEACE III and INTERREG IV designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.
The INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 Programme, funded though the European Regional Development Fund, is worth €256 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. It has two distinct priority measures to create co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable cross-border region.
For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu