AMH New Horizons Downpatrick was proud to present its foray into the film making world when it premiered a movie made by its clients, focusing on the changing face of Downpatrick from the 50’s to the 80’s. The film, called ‘Downpatrick, Life in the 1950s – 1980s’, which was made entirely by clients of AMH New Horizons, Downpatrick, had its premier at Eclipse cinema in the town, marking the culmination of five months’ work.

Speaking at the launch of the film, which features interviews with local civic leaders such as Maurice Hayes, and well known local characters, Joanna Miskelly of Action Mental Health said that she was immensely proud of the film,

“The clients were responsible for directing, producing and interviewing the local characters who feature in the film. The final piece is a credit to their hard work and dedication.This project has been a real inspiration to those involved.”

The film has been supported and funded by the PEACE III Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and delivered by the North Down, Ards and Down District Council cluster. The community history project organised by Down County Museum and the Somme Heritage Centre has seen 20 community groups from Down, North Down and Ards engaging in a series of educational activities designed to promote greater understanding of local culture and traditions and enhance awareness of cultural identity and diversity in the region. The clients wanted to do something which they could be directly involved in, which was going to challenge them and which would also be fun!

Joanna said the project grew from there,

“Initially we were going to look at one decade in the history of Downpatrick, but as we examined them individually, it was evident there had been quite a bit of change, so the clients thought that it would be more interesting to look at Downpatrick from the 1950’s – 80’s and in doing so, see how it has changed. Clients thought that interviewing characters who had actually lived and worked in the town during this period would give us a ‘birdseye’ view of how the town was and how it has changed over the years.

From its inception in 1963, Action Mental Health has grown to become one of Northern Ireland’s leading mental health charities, providing services to over 1700 people across Northern Ireland every year. The organisation works with people from all backgrounds to enable them to recover from mental illness so that they can enjoy an improved quality of life. The New Horizons project helps people overcome the effects of mental ill health, and in many cases return to work. It offers a range of projects and qualifications, providing training, personal development programmes and social projects.

You can watch the film below:-

we have more photos of the event courtesy of the Down Recorder click on this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/actionmentalhealth/sets/72157625885895535/

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Danny Kennedy visited AMH New Horizons in Newry today.

 AMH New Horizons works to improve the health and well-being of people with mental health needs, by providing personal development programmes, vocational training and employment opportunities.  AMH opened its doors in Newry 21 years ago and now has two locations in the area, Greenbank Industrial Estate and Canal Street.

 Clients can train for a variety of IT qualifications from introductory to advanced level.  During his visit the Minister met Stephen McConville.  Stephen is the first client in Newry to pass a module in the Advanced ECDL (European Computer Driving License)  course. The Minister offered his congratulations and presented Stephen with his certificate.

The Project “Life Alert” was launched at event in AMH Promote with special guests including, Lady Sylvia Hermon MP, Peter Weir MLA, Councillor Anne Wilson, representatives from the PSNI and DPP and the Life Alert team.

 AMH Promote is a training centre in Conlig run by AMH (Action Mental Health) which teaches adults with learning disability to be more independent and to train for job placements in the community.

 The project “Life Alert” began about three years ago to raise awareness of Learning Disability within the local community.  Who better to raise awareness than those with learning disabilities, speaking about the problems and difficulties they face to a range of small audiences including, school children and teachers, student social workers, District Policy Partnerships, local councillors, and more recently new citizen advocates.

The group consists of Martin Mahood, Hilary Gammon, Louise McBride, Alan Webster, Josie Morton and Sarah Johnston.  They are all supported by Elizabeth Lightbody (Bryson House Advocacy Service).

 The clients from AMH Promote came up with the name “Life Alert” as it represents the important point they want to get across; they want everyone around them to be alert to those living with a learning disability, they want them to be sensitive to their needs and to just to give them some thought and consideration.

 Working in partnership with the PSNI and in particular Ken Butler, “Life Alert” made its debut at South Eastern Regional College in Bangor, and since then the group have grown in confidence. Much of the content of these informal meetings is a question and answer session. This has proven to be the best way of involving the audience in the discussion and raise their knowledge of Learning Disability especially amongst school children.

 Some of the topics covered have included the range of difficulties our clients can face in their community in particular, bullying, housing issues, and accessing community services.  They have also helped their audiences understand their disability and what it is like to have a Learning Disability.  They have talked about how the community can help them and what upsets them.  Our clients have discussed equal opportunities and how they want to have the same rights as everyone else, for instance, the chance to go to college.

 The Group has put together a number of “Life Alert” wallets to be handed out when they visit businesses, shops and centres.  The wallet consists of contact information for individual.  Posters have been distributed to promote the project.  Adults with a Learning Disability in the Bangor area can be reassured that when visiting a shop or public place displaying the “Life Alert” poster that they are somewhere where staff are sensitive to their needs and have an understanding of their disability.  Those who sign up to Life Alert are supporting the government’s strategy to promote social inclusion for all those with a learning disability.

So if someone presents a “Life Alert” wallet to you, please take a moment to read the information, everyone should feel valued and part of their own community. Everyone deserves respect and understanding.

You can contact the Life Alert group at AMH Promote T 028 9127 5953. 

You can also download a copy of the Life Alert Poster.