The Senior Citizens Visit The Ulster Museum

On Thursday 25th March the Grapevine Seniors Club visited the Ulster Museum which reopened on 22nd October 2009 after a 3 year £17million redevelopment project. The refurbished museum now has 1,225 square metres more exhibition space than the former site and re-opened in a blaze of publicity.

The group were able to see many collections including World Cultures including rare and fascinating objects from Americas, Oceania, Africa and Asia. They were also able to see historical material relating to economic and political history of Ireland including photographs, coins & medals and Artwork. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-17:00 and admission is free. A visit is highly recommended!

Make sure you're correctly licensed!

Did you know that you can be fined up to £1,000 if you are caught watching TV without a licence?

TV Licensing is working with The Vine Centre to ensure that people are aware of the circumstances when they have a legal responsibility to have a TV Licence. Put simply, you need to be covered by a valid TV Licence to receive or record television programmes as they are being broadcast. This is the case whether you are receiving the programmes via TV or any other device, such as a mobile phone or a PC.

TV Licensing understands that some people find it hard to pay the annual fee of £142.50 for a colour TV Licence or £48 for a black and white licence in one go. For this reason, there are a number of different ways to pay for a TV Licence, including a payment card.

TV Licensing's Payment Card is designed to make buying a TV Licence easier for those who struggle to pay in one lump sum by allowing them to spread the cost into weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments. They are open to everyone and over one million people are making payments by cash or a debit/credit card at any one of over 21,000 PayPoint outlets nationwide, online, over the phone or by SMS (text) message. Anyone wishing to find out more about signing up for a cash payment plan should give TV Licensing a call on 0300 555 0300.

People wishing to pay or save for their TV Licence in person can use PayPoint's growing network outlets using cash or debit card payments. PayPoint outlets can be found in newsagents, convenience stores, supermarkets, petrol stations and other retailers. To find their nearest PayPoint, people can visit www.paypoint.co.uk/locator.htm or call 0300 790 6063.

In addition to paying at a PayPoint outlet, there are many other ways to pay. More people are choosing to pay by Direct Debit, now used by over 12 million licence fee payers, while others choose to pay via our website, by using a debit or credit card over the phone or by putting a cheque in the post.

TV Licensing helps people who o not have English as a first language to understand their legal obligation by providing literature in 18 different languages and offering an interpretation service over the phone in over 170 languages. To use the translation service, please call 0300 790 6044.

TV Licensing would always prefer people to be properly licensed rather than risk prosecution, which is why we make it as easy as possible to pay and work hard to ensure people are aware of their licensing requirements. Unfortunately some people still try to avoid paying for a TV Licence when they need one, and we will enforce the law on behalf of the honest majority who pay.

If you would like more information, or want to buy a TV Licence, please call 0300 790 6071 or visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

Free Hospitality Training

Vine Celebrates 25 years of Volunteering

Volunteering celebrates 25 years and we thought it was only right to acknowledge the valuable work that our volunteers do. Our volunteers give up their free time to come to Vine and help out in many areas including Afterschools, Advice, Homework Clubs, Reception and Grief Share. We couldn't even start to calculate how much their time would amount to in £'s. Each volunteer was presented with a certificate and a gift voucher. We also held a lunch for them in the Vine Centre and Jack Drennan presented the volunteers with their certificates and gifts. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Vine Centre and we would be happy to help you.

Success of our 1st Learning to Earning Group

On the 18th March 2009 our first Learning To Earning group successfully completed Personal Development Training and Employment Skills. The Learning to Earning Programme is available to anyone who is currently unemployed. It has been funded by Department of Employment and Learning and managed by Workers Education Association. Particpants on the programme will cover Personal Development, Employment Skills and and IT Qualification.

The 2nd group of participants is due to start on Wednesday 22nd April at 10:00 - 12:30pm. Each part of the course lasts for 10 weeks and at the end of the 30 weeks you will receive 3 qualifications.

If you would like any more information or you are interested in coming along please contact Elizabeth Anderson on 90351020 or email eanderson@vinecentre.org

GriefShare - Grief recovery support group

It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you've lost a spouse, child, family member or firend, you've probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel.

That's the reason for GriefShare, a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close. This group is sponsored by people who understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement during this difficult time.

Each GriefShare session includes a video seminar and group discussion. A GriefShare workbook assists you with note taking, journaling and grief study. the videos feature top experts on grief recovery, dramatic reenactments about living with grief and real-life stories of people who have experienced losses like yours.

During the small group discussion time, you'll have the opportunity to interact with others who have experienced a recent loss, learn about their experiences and share your own.

WHEN TO BEGIN

At the Vine Centre our GriefShare programme will be starting on Monday 23rd March at 7:30pm for 14 weeks.

You are welcome to begin attending the GriefShare group at any session. Each is "self-contained", so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin.

If you require anymore information, please conact David Surgenor on 90351020

March Prayer Points

Each month we will be publishing praise and prayer points for you to consider. If you would like more information on any of the points please contact David Surgenor (Pastoral Support Worker) on 90351020.

Praise Points

• Those who have volunteered to help with the GriefShare programme.


• New contacts that have recently been made.


• Positive development that has been made regarding the Home Start programme.

Pray for

• Need of funding for Trevor's position of director.


• Ian Thomas as he attends hospital for another scan at the beginning of April.


• Joel (American volunteer) and his family during this time as they are seperated from each other.


• That God would be preparing the heartsof people as they would consider taking part in the GriefShare programme.

Just a reminder that the next Community Prayer meeting is on Wednesday 25th March from 1pm to 2pm in the Vine Centre.