On Tuesday 27^th May the Northern Ireland Prison Service hosted a certificate presentation at Hydebank, marking the first accredited OCN Personal Wellbeing certificates delivered by AMH MensSana under the Together For You Project. Together For You, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, is a mental health and wellbeing project, delivering services to a range of people across Northern Ireland, including prisoners.

On the day, 12 male and 12 female offenders received nearly 50 certificates on OCN courses such as Understanding Stress, Understanding Feelings and Emotions,  Understanding Risk and Understanding Motivation.

Pauline Flanagan, AMH Service Manager Projects said

“I am delighted to be here today to see the first Personal Wellbeing programmes presented under the Together For You Project.”

“This is a remarkable achievement given that the AMH MensSana Project Worker only commenced delivery on the 28^th January 2014, and to date has delivered 7 OCN accredited programmes in Hydebank resulting, in 49 certificates being presented here today.”

Recent research (published Jan 2014) carried out by the Ministry of Justice in England and Wales, reported that education makes prisoners less likely to reoffend (BBC News Jan 2014: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25668081).  With this in mind Pauline thanked the prisoners for their enthusiasm and went on to say

“working through these wellbeing programmes will not only enable each and every one of you to personally grow, help maintain and improve mental wellbeing but will enable you to engage in the other extensive opportunities offered now in Hydebank because of improved confidence and motivation.” 

Pauline encouraged them to keep up the good work and thanked the NI Prison Service, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Audrey Garvin and the Mental Health Team in Hydebank for introducing and promoting the Personal Wellbeing Programmes.

AMH MensSana team look forward to continuing to be part of  the new and exciting training initiatives planned for Hydebank, and in consolidating and expanding the good work that has now begun.

AMH Promote clients enjoyed manning their first stall at Bangor Market last weekend, selling their fabulous potted and bedding plants.

The group raised over £200 for their service and hope to make their attendance a regular occurrence because the clients loved being a part of the experience!

AMH Promote in Bangor is a training centre which delivers training to adults with learning disabilities, with a view to progression to employment options, social inclusive groups and/or further education.

Our Promote service (based at 6 Enterprise Road, Conlig Bangor) sell beautiful summer bedding plants to the general public at this time of year.

Prices start from just 30p for a range of varieties on offer including Fuscias, Begonias and Lobelias – great for hanging baskets and window boxes.

Call in at their reception and ask for Gordon or Juliet any time Monday to Thursday between 9.30am and 4.00pm and Friday between 9.30am and 3.00pm or call us on 028 91275953

Promote also have a regular coffee morning on the last Thursday of each month with great scones tray bakes and gateaux’s and it would be great to see you!

Shop local, support your community and enjoy these beautiful flowers for Summer!

All-State chose AMH as one of their charities for the year 2013.  Thank you to all the staff in Belfast who raised £6,269.00 for AMH – All State received an “AMH Head’s Up Award” in recognition of their fundraising efforts and support. Thanks again!

AMH Regional Office in Antrim hosted a DEL / NIUSE User Consultation Event recently, which is part of the ongoing consultations for the development of the DEL Disability Employment Strategy. This was the 4^th of 5 such User Consultation events.

This pan disability event was attended by service users from AMH, Mencap, Disability Action, Triangle Housing, Alternative Angles and USEL.

Key Speakers included Minister Farry, Terry Park (Head of DEL’s Disability Employment Service), Margaret Haddock (Chair NIUSE / President EUSE) & Edyth Dunlop (Regional Manager NIUSE).

My name is Chris and a number of years ago I was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia and Depression. When I came to AMH New Horizons 2 years ago, I was very anxious and apprehensive. I did not know what to expect and I was not very comfortable around strangers.

I was offered a variety of courses and I decided to start with a personal development course. I have completed many of these courses, all of which have been helpful and facilitated by some excellent staff. I have never felt that I have been put under any pressure and it has always been made clear what my options are. As a result, I am now more confident, a lot less anxious, I have better self esteem and I feel more able to deal with stress. I feel that my general social skills have improved and I have made some new friends.

In September 2013, I started an Introduction to Counselling Skills Course through College. I have since completed this course and I hope to progress to the next course in September of this year. I am currently applying for voluntary work with the Samaritans. I feel that I am now in a position to help others and if somebody had told me 2 years ago that I would be in the process of potentially becoming a counsellor, I would have thought that it was impossible.

I would wholeheartedly recommend New Horizons because it has been a significant help in my recovery from mental illness.

Thanks to Chris from Downpatrick

AMH Alligators claimed the top spot in a fantastic tournament held in Lisburn this week, seeing off stiff competition from 35 other teams.

Boccia has been a Paralympic sport since 1984 and is specifically designed for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function such as cerebral palsy.  However at a recreational level boccia is played by people with a range of disabilities in special schools, adult centres and community settings throughout Northern Ireland.

Congratulations to the AMH Alligators who are:

Christopher Ward

Ryan Lavery

George Haugh