4U2 TEAM – MAKING A DIFFERENCE

We are a group of people from Orangefield who are committed to serving the church and in particular those of our congregation who have special needs and/or disabilities.

Here’s a flavour on the sort of work we’re doing……

Support Group

This group met for the first time to offer support and time to chat for parents and carers of children/young people with a disability. An evening of pampering was provided with visiting speakers. Lots of positive links were made and further meetings are planned.

JAM

We were able to offer a place at JAM to three children with special needs, unfortunately due to illness one child was not able to join us. JAM helpers went through disability awareness and child protection training. Reports from these families have been really positive and we hope to develop these relationships.

Inclusive Art Project

Our next big event will be the Inclusive Art Project which is targeted at children with or without disabilities aged between P4 and P7. This will run fortnightly for six weeks during October to December, on Saturday mornings. We are grateful to have the assistance of Laura, an art graduate with experience in this area. Conor Maguire, the Creative Development Officer from Castlereagh Council, has been invaluable in promoting the project in the area – listen out for us on ‘Arts Extra’ on BBC Radio Ulster.

Christmas

During the Saturday afternoons of November and the first two in December, we will be providing activities for adults with disabilities, in order to give parents and carers some respite or time for Christmas shopping. If you are available to help out, particularly with teas, coffees and listening ears, please let us know.

Work placements

We have also been able to provide a work placement through arc Café for an adult with a disability. Work placement in Orange Pips pre-school playgroup for young adults with disabilities is planned for later this year.

Later this year, we also hope to make arrangements to provide disability awareness training for some of our church youth groups/organisations.

Can you help?

We have lots more ideas in the pipeline. However, we need new people to come along and help our group to move forward and do as much as we can, to the best of our ability. We recognise that many of our members in the church are already committed to the Lord’s work in the church and beyond. But could you spare one afternoon at Christmas to just sit and chat or help on one of our respite days? Or would you be able to contribute to one of our projects? We have a core group of people who are supported by people who have something specific to offer a particular project – what could you bring?

Please consider and pray for God’s guidance if this strikes you as something you would like to get involved with. We would love to have you onboard. Why not come along to one of our meetings?

Calling all house groups! We need people to pray regularly for our work. Would your group be interested in supporting us in prayer each time you meet? We want to make a difference in our church, helping those who need it most. We can only do this with God’s help and in His strength. Will you stand with us?

If you are interested in helping, or finding out more, please get in touch with any member of the group or speak with Billy Burnison at 028 9079 1409 or email him at william-burnison@utvinternet.com