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.

Burns Day Celebrations at the Vine Centre

Every Thursday afternoon is filled with laughter and conversation. These are not the sounds of children coming home from school but rather the sounds of our Pensioner's lunch club. the pensioners gather at 1pm for a meal and stay until 3pm for a varied programme. The meal includes a main course, dessert and tea/coffee all for £3.

Recently the pensioners had a great time celebrating the 250th snniversary of Robbie Burns' birth. The day kicked off with the traditional piping in of the Haggis followed by a spirited address to the Haggis provided by the Rev. Jack Lamb. After a meal of Scottish dishes and music, Rev. Lamb and Guilford Smith regaled the pensioners with toasts.

But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer Gie her a haggis!

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight

A Man's a Man for a' that: For a' that, and a' that

Sad Farewell

Bill Whitley, the manager of the Vine Centre’s Advice Service, passed away on Thursday 12 February after a brief illness, at the age of 64.

Over the past decade, Bill had helped hundreds of local people each year with a wide range of problems, and was always known for his attention to detail and his determination to get the best possible result for his clients.

Although he had lived in Lisburn for most of his adult life, Bill was originally from the Shankill area, having been brought up in Rutherglen Street. He had been involved in advice work for thirty five years, initially as a volunteer with Lisburn Citizens Advice Bureau. After leaving lecturing in the mid 1990’s he continued that interest in a paid capacity with the Lisburn Welfare Rights Group, and then in London with the Quaker ‘Open Door’ Project, before coming to the Vine as Advice Manager in June 1998. By his own admission he was not entirely keen on the idea when the job was first offered to him, but he took it nonetheless – perhaps because it gave him a chance to return to an area he had been very familiar with as a boy.

Trevor Cummings, the Director of the Vine Centre, said: ‘Staff at the Vine Centre have been struck over the last few days by the number of former clients of Bill’s who have got in touch to express their sympathies. It’s clear that they didn’t just appreciate the work he did on their behalf, but also his attentiveness to them and his genuine interest in helping them through their problems. They weren’t just clients to Bill – they were people, and they deserved and got his best efforts at all times.’

Away from work, Bill’s main interest in life was cricket, specifically Derriaghy Cricket Club where he had served as Club President for many years. He also liked horse and greyhound racing – though he was always evasive when asked if he ever risked a few pounds on a flutter. For reasons best know to himself, he was also one of the few people outside Cowdenbeath to take an active interest in Cowdenbeath Football Club.

His funeral was held at Kilmakee Presbyterian church in Dunmurry, followed by committal at Roselawn Cemetery.

FUNDING CRISIS!

Please pray for the Vine Centre especially at this time. We are having a major funding crisis which could meaning losing 3 vital positions at the Vine. This would have a devasting effect on the work that we do. Pray that we hear soon as to what our situation is going to be and that we are able to carry on helping people in this community. Thanks

Community Prayer Meeting

On the last Wednesday of every month from 1pm - 2pm a Community Prayer Meeting is held in the Vine Centre. It is an opportunity for Christians in the area to come together to pray for the work of the Vine Centre and the whole area.

Dates for the next Community Prayer meetings are

29th October 2008
26th November 2008
There will be no prayer meeting in December

If you would like information about the Community Prayer meetings contact David Surgenor (Pastrol Care Worker) on 90351020 or call into the Vine Centre at 193 Crumlin Road.

Digital Photography for the Over 50's Course

Have you got a digital camera that you are not sure how to use?

The Hammer Community Complex on Agnes Street (beside Malvern Assembly) are running a FREE digital photography class for the 50+ age starting on Thursday 23rd October 2008 from 10:45 to 12:45. The course will run for 10 weeks and Digital Camera's will be provided.

For more information you can contact Tracey or Natalie at 90332860 or call into the Hammer Complex on Agnes Street.

Meet our new American Volunteer

Greetings. My name is Joel Pier-Fitzgerald and I will be working at the VINE Centre for the next year. I will be working as a part of the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) programme which is sponsored through the Presbyterian Church USA. I am from Holland, Michigan in the United States and am very excited to be here in Northern Ireland. Holland is a small industrial city on the shores of Lake Michigan. I just graduated from Albion College in Albion Michigan with a degree in Religious Studies. As part of the YAV programme, I will be working part of the week at the Vine and the other part of the week at Cooke Centenary Presbyterian Church. I will help out with a variety of activities at both sites. I look forward to living in Belfast and sharing in ministry at the VINE Centre and Cooke.

We are saying goodbye to a valuable member of staff next June here at the Vine Centre so we thought it was important to mention this now on our blog spot.

Bill Whitley - Advice Services Manager attended the Management Committee meeting on 18th September 2008 together with Mr Trevor Cummings - Director of the Vine Centre and Mr Stephen Reid - Centre Manager.

Bill Whitley announced his intention to retire from the Vine Centre in the summer of 2009 after 11 years of valuable work with the Vine. Bill will be 65 in June and feels it is now time to hang up his hat as Advice Manager.

Rev Jack Drennan chaired the Management Committe Meeting.

Has summer really ended?

Hi everyone

Summer is coming to a end! Well not sure if we could call it summer but a new term has started here at the Vine Centre. Lots of new programmes and events are going to be happening over the next few months so keep checking our blog spot so that we can keep you updated.

Goodbye from American Volunteer

Hello all-

I have had the privilege of being the American volunteer this year at The Vine Centre. As I start to pack up my bags to return home, I wanted to say farewell and thank you to all of those at The Vine that have made my experience here in N. Ireland what it has been, incredible. 

Never have I been fortunate enough to work in a place quite like The Vine Centre. The people that work at the Vine are just wonderful and their commitment to serving the community constantly inspires me. 

I will very much miss my time in Belfast, and most importantly, The Vine. I wish all of my co-workers and friends at The Vine continued success and loads of thanks for all that you have done for me this year.

Blessings and peace.

Love, 

Melissa Wheeler 

Welcome

Welcome to the Vine Centre's blog page.

This site will serve to let the community know the programmes we offer and make information available to all about our mission and commitment to serving the community.

At the Vine Centre we have many programmes including:

• Advice Services
• Afterschools Playclub
• Bulrush Day Nursery
• Family Education, Training & Employablity
• Senior Citizens
• Volunteering
• Youth
• Pastoral Care

We are funded by:

• Belfast City Council
• Belfast Education & Library Board
• Belfast Local Strategy Partnership
• Belfast Regeneration Office
• Children's Fund
• Community Foundation for Northern Ireland#
• DSD Voluntary & Community Unit
• Phoenix Trust
• Playboard DHSSPS Funding
• Urban II Programme
• YouthNet

We also receive donations from:

• Board of Social Witness
• Christian Endeavour
• Northern Bank Employees Charities Group
• TBF Thompson Trust
• Thales Foundation

In addition to those listen above, the Management Committee of the Vine Centre would like to thank the many churches, church organizations and individuals who provide donations towards the work of the organization over the course of each year.