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Room 123, Stormont House Annexe, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SH The Memorial Fund Tel: (028) 9052 7902 / (028) 9052 7861 Fax: (028) 9052 7901 Email: [email protected] Peace – Reconciliation – Support Memorial Fund News - In Brief Some victims from Great Britain joined Minister New Directors Fund widens eligibility those from Northern Ireland for part of the Several new Directors have joined the criteria to schemes weekend and there was also an opportunity Memorial Fund replacing Sir George Bain, to visit the Warrington Peace Centre which Important changes took place to the Fund’s Ann Shaw, Reverend Ruth Patterson, is dedicated to the memory of Tim Parry eligibility criteria on 1 April. All applicants Patrick Haren and Professor Mari Fitzduff and Jonathan Ball who were killed in the who have lost a brother or sister as a result of Reflects on who stepped down at the last AGM. Warrington bomb. are now eligible for a Small Grant The new Directors are: along with those who have lost a parent, A further trip is planned for children and partner or a child. All applicants who have their parents to the Camelot theme park David Bolton – Director of the lost a parent as a result of the Troubles are in Lancashire at the end of June. Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma now eligible for a Short Break. and Transformation; Past Year Dan Harvey – a retired banker; Additionally, those single applicants who What has made the biggest currently have to travel alone on their Information Day It’s almost a year since Des Browne impression on you? George Lavery – Managing Director Short Break will be allowed to take a The next Northern Ireland Memorial Fund DB: Oh definitely the stories I’ve heard of AV Browne Ltd; companion with them free of charge. Information Day will take place in the was appointed Victims’ Minister. from victims. No doubt about it. Donna Marie McGillion – a survivor of the Finally, the maximum grant payable under Lecture Room at the Library at Omagh on Omagh bomb; What are your priorities now? the Chronic Pain scheme has been increased Tuesday 2 July. Staff from the Grants Office In this issue of the newsletter, Sr Marie McNiece – a founder of the WAVE DB: Well, I’m determined to keep victims from £500 per year to £1,000 in respect of will be available from 10:30 to 18:30 to victims’ group; at the top of my agenda. Not enough was treatments and therapies recommended provide information and help with the he tells VLU about his experiences done for victims in the past and I want to Joanna McVey – proprietor of the by the pain specialist. completion of application forms. There will do what I can to put some of that right. Impartial Reporter; also be a special presentation by Directors of the past year and his plans for on the Fund’s schemes from 12:30 to 13:30 Jane Wells – Managing Director of Education and to which all are invited to attend. the future. Finally, do you have a message John Laird PR. Training Scheme for Newsletter readers? Directors elected Dennis Licence DB: Yes. I applaud all those who are From 1 July the entitlement criteria to the Over the past four years I think we’ve (Managing Director of First Trust Bank) You’ve been in post as Victims’ working to support victims regain some scheme will be widened to include all A Web Site Minister for almost a year. achieved a lot; we’ve implemented the fulfilment in their lives. I know funding and to be the new Chairman of the Board. children of those injured in trouble-related for the Fund Looking back, what are your Bloomfield Report and now we have a sustainability are issues which concern incidents. The application form has also reflections on the past year? groups. I don’t have answers to all the The Memorial Fund website is nearing Devolved Administration which is gripping been simplified and packs will be sent out DB: Well, it has been a humbling experience. problems, but I and my officials will work completion. Once it goes live in the next front line victims’ issues. Of course, not all Third Gala Dinner to groups at the end of June, along with I try to get out and about as much as very hard to make sure the system for the few months it will be possible to download victims’ responsibilities are devolved at forms for the New Back to School Grant possible and I reckon I have now met distribution of core funding operates fairly The Memorial Fund held a tremendously application forms for each of the Fund’s this stage, so I’m working now to develop described on page 7. representatives of more than 30 victims’ and equitably. To those readers who are successful Gala Dinner at the Ramada Hotel schemes. One section of the site will be groups. It has been a great privilege to talk Phase 2 of our Strategy, looking at things victims not aligned to groups, I have your on 11 April raising £104,000. This together set aside for victims and survivors to record to individual victims and see at first hand like core funding and the future of the interests at heart and I will be doing what with a separate donation of £50,000 from Trips to England their story and say how the Memorial Fund the work that support groups are doing. Memorial Fund for example. I can to ensure that victims’ voices are heard. Sir Anthony O’Reilly has secured the Fund’s 144 victims spent an enjoyable weekend in has helped. If you would like your story to place in the record books as the charity that April in the Daresbury Hotel outside Chester. be recorded then please write for further Contents: has raised the most money in one evening Despite the long coach journey everyone details to: in Northern Ireland. Generous sponsorship seemed to have a great time – although the Clive Barbour Des Browne visits Victims' Groups 2 NIO to review its Victims' Strategy 4Counselling Review 5 on the night means that all the money Country and Western group booked for the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund New NI Centre for Trauma & Transformation 3 Small grants for children and adults 4OFMDFM's Victims Strategy Unveiled 5 raised has gone directly towards funding first night somehow turned out to be a group Room 125 Stormont House Search for the Remains of Charles Armstrong 3 Please let us know... 4Who's who in VLU 6 the NIMF’s schemes. specialising in English Country dancing! Belfast BT4 3SH Core Funding 4 VLU Programme Funding 5The NI Memorial Fund 6 - 8

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page 2 page 3 Des Browne visits New NI Centre for Victims’ Groups Trauma & Transformation Since his appointment as Victims’ Minister last July, Last December, Des Browne announced funding of £1.5 million of victims’ money Des Browne has met with more than 30 groups to for the development of the NI Centre for Trauma & Transformation. The Centre, hear their stories and issues that concern them. which will be based in Omagh, will be a valuable resource in the treatment of trauma for Northern Ireland and beyond. In all his visits, the Minister has been greatly moved by the stories he has heard and is grateful that people felt We spoke to David Bolton, Director of the has implications for the services we provide working in their respective areas, with a Centre about how work on the Centre is and the way we offer help. It means we view to making available the best range able to tell him of the trauma and suffering they have progressing. need to ensure that the ways in which we of services possible. endured. He has also been impressed by the valuable help, enable men and women, boys and CALMS, January 2002 One of the drivers that led to the development girls affected by the Troubles, to re-discover work done by groups to support and help their members. What stage are things at? of the Centre was the strongly felt desire life, to reclaim those parts that can be David B: We are at an advanced stage of by the Omagh community, expressed in the reclaimed and to find a settled place in the development and hope to be operational months after the bombing in August 1998, Among the groups he has visited are Speaking after the Minister’s visit, Jeff Barr, memory of our community. from September. Our efforts have been to someday mark and respond to the CALMS, Londonderry; F.A.I.R., ; Project Co-ordinator at the Koram Centre said: focussed on very practical things like generosity and support shown by many The KORAM CENTRE, Strabane; VAST, "This has been a welcome acknowledgement sorting out the funding, premises, and What are your wishes for the Centre? many people in Northern Ireland, Belfast; and WAVE, Ballymoney. Many of and show of faith by the Minister in the work putting in place arrangements for staff. David B: I hope we will establish a Centre the Republic and further afield. I see the the meetings have been private, at the of the project for the district. The Minister’s which will provide effective treatment for Centre as playing a part in that response, request of group members. foresight and willingness to engage with the What particular challenges have trauma related conditions including post through which others will be supported in At CALMS, the Minister had an opportunity victims and survivors has served to inspire you faced? traumatic stress disorder, which will make their time of need. to see the beautiful mosaic artwork some hope and confidence for the future." WAVE, October 2001 David B: Starting up a new organisation a real difference in the lives of people completed by group members. He was also from scratch is a major piece of work. It is affected by violence. I want to see a Centre How do you see those wishes given a demonstration of Tai Chi, being realised? important to relate everything back to the that will act as a resource for others working used as a relaxation technique Willie Frazer, Project Co-ordinator of F.A.I.R., mission of the Centre, and to decide what in this area of need, through training and David B: Our first task is to get the Centre at the Centre. said of the Minister’s visit: arrangements will best support the main education, and by developing new up and running. Thereafter we will want to "We were happy that the Minister took the work of the Centre. This has been a good approaches to trauma treatment and care. talk to others working in this area to see time out to meet victims face to face. It is a guiding principle. The Centre can also play a part in promoting how best we can work alongside them reflection of the man himself that he is an evidence-based approach to the care and and respond to the needs that are being prepared to do that. He showed I think it has also been important in terms assessment of people suffering from trauma. identified. I am encouraged by the idea that he is prepared to listen, of people affected by the violence and the I also hope that the Centre will become of learning from the experiences of others which is very important." conflict, at some time no longer seeing a part of a network of other centres, and I hope that such learning will help the themselves as victims. That kind of thinking organisations and individuals who are development of services and standards. Koram Centre, January 2002

Search for the Remains of Charles Armstrong

We were greatly disappointed that despite the supreme efforts of Our thoughts are with Mrs Kathleen Armstrong and her family and the Gardai, the recent search for the remains of Charles Armstrong with all the other families who are in similar circumstances. Entertaining children at WAVE F.A.I.R., March 2002 proved unsuccessful.

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Core Funding NIO to VLU Programme OFMDFM’s Victims groups are set to benefit from a further review its Victims round of Core Funding announced by Des Browne Funding in December. A further allocation of £3m will Strategy support and develop the work of groups over Victims’ We have a limited amount of funding available in the next two years and builds on the current the current financial year for projects which will: Unveiled scheme, which was established in 2000 and Strategy •benefit victims of the Troubles across NI and/or GB is now closed to new applications. Four years on from Sir Kenneth Bloomfield’s A £3m strategy to out the work, were presented to victims •improve the capacity and professionalism of When will groups be able to apply report "We Will Remember Them", Victims’ deliver practical help for the New Scheme? groups at a seminar held on 7 May. Minister Des Browne is turning his mind to victims’ organisations We hope the New Scheme will open for A workshop was also held to discuss how the Phase 2 of the NIO’s Strategy on victims and services to victims applications in the autumn and that the recommendations might be taken forward. (Phase 1 having been the implementation •promote the sharing of best practice has been launched by first payments will be made in December. A second seminar was held on 24 June at of the Bloomfield report). The following the First Minister issues are being considered: For an application form and details of eligibility criteria please contact us. What if groups run out of Core which VLU gave details of its response to David Trimble and Junior Funding before then? CEC’s recommendations. As before a workshop • Core Funding; Minister Denis Haughey. The existing scheme has been extended was held at which we sought the views of • The future of the Northern Ireland to sustain those groups for whom funding those attending on our emerging conclusions. Memorial Fund; would have stopped in the intervening period. Named "Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve", The views expressed at both workshops will • Compensation arrangements; Mr Trimble said it would address the Will the criteria for the New Scheme make a valuable contribution to the criteria needs of those who have suffered over be the same as before? • Truth; the past 30 years. The strategy, which for the new scheme. As many of you are aware, an evaluation • The ‘Disappeared’; and has been supported by £1.5 million from of the Core Funding Scheme has recently Copies of CEC’s evaluation can be obtained Counselling VLU, contains almost 50 action areas • Exiles. taken place. The findings of the Clio by contacting VLU at: 028 9052 7861 including recognition, access and Work which is currently ongoing in some information, health, education, housing Evaluation Consortium, (CEC) who carried or e-mail, [email protected] of those areas will feed into the Minister’s and the development of business skills. considerations. REVIEW... A key contact list for Government Departments and Agencies was also And as already mentioned on page 2, Anyone interested in counselling services will want to get hold published alongside the strategy. Des Browne is continuing his programme of a new report which has been published by the Department of visits to groups and has been greatly In order to help raise levels of of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSS&PS). awareness of victims’ issues the Unit Small grants for moved by many of the stories he has heard. has also launched a dedicated website All of this will help inform his view of where The Department commissioned the Counselling Review in response to a (www.victimsni.gov.uk). This gives we go from here. VLU will, where possible, recommendation in the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) report "Living with information about conferences and children and adults the Trauma of the Troubles" (1998). training events, links to government keep everyone abreast of developments. Small grants will soon be available for Full details will be available from the departments, agencies and other Who will be interested in this Report? public bodies, contact details for projects involving adults and children Community Relations Council after victims groups, and announcements affected by the Troubles, thanks to the the launch on 1st July. The report will be of interest to users of befriending, counselling and psychotherapy services, on funding or new initiatives. introduction of the Victim/Survivor practitioners, employing organisations, professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy, Please trainers, purchasers and funders of these. To find out more about the work of groups Development Grant Scheme. Please contact the Community the Victims Unit or to receive a copy Relations Council at :- How can I access the Report? of the Strategy or Key Contact List, £750k has been allocated by Des Browne Let Us contact the unit on: 6 Murray Street to the Community Relations Council-run The Report "Counselling in Northern Ireland" can be accessed on the internet web address, Freephone 080 8127 3333, Belfast BT1 6DN initiative which is based on the Victim www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/publications/2002/counsel textphone 02890 522343 or e-mail [email protected]. Support Grant Scheme launched in 1999 Tel: 028 90227500 Know... For a hard copy, Tel: 028 9052 0624. as a pilot scheme. More than 50 groups Fax: 028 90227551/2 We are currently updating our Newsletter We are grateful to Fergus Devitt for benefited from the original scheme which E-mail : [email protected] database. Please let us know if your this contribution to the Newsletter. received funding of £225k. contact details have changed.

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questionnaire that is sent out to a number of applicants randomly each have dependent school children living with them where the family The Northern Ireland Memorial Fund month asking for comments and suggestions on the Fund’s schemes. is in receipt of either Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance, I collate these for Directors. I suppose the least enjoyable bit is having the Working Families Tax Credit, the Disabled Person’s Tax Credit to deal with applications that are clearly a try-on to get money from or Housing Benefit. If you fall into this category then the Fund will Peace – Reconciliation – Support the Fund. It makes me angry whenever someone tries to abuse the make a contribution of £100 to each child attending primary school Fund like that. or £200 for each child attending secondary or grammar school In October Clive Barbour came to join the Memorial Fund as its new Secretary. towards the cost of a school uniform. VLU asked him how he was getting on. VLU: What are these information days that the Fund has been holding recently? VLU: How do you apply? Committees with the help of Carolyn and Wendy. Quite a lot of the VLU: So how did you become Secretary to the Fund? CB: When we looked at the applications that we had been receiving we CB: We’ll be sending packs of application forms to all the victims’ time the work consists of my drawing up policy papers for Directors noticed that we weren’t getting as many from West of the Bann that CB: To be honest with you I hadn’t heard of the Fund before I was groups we’re in contact with, but if anyone wants an individual but on another day I might be out somewhere making arrangements we would have expected so we decided to hold a series of Information offered the job, but after learning what it entailed I jumped at it. form they should fill in the coupon below and we’ll post one out. for a Fund Information Day or I could be down at the Grants Office with Days taking the Fund to the people as it were. We held a very successful I have had a variety of jobs within the civil service but this has been Donna and her team countersigning cheques or considering appeals. day in /Londonderry, that increased applications from the City by the one where I feel that what I am doing is helping make a real 55%, and we’re planning another Information Day in Omagh on 2 July VLU: And is there a timescale for applications? difference to people. VLU: What do you like best and least about the job? and one in Enniskillen later in September. CB: Yes, because it’s a ‘back to school’ grant designed to help at the beginning of the school year the scheme is only going to run for the CB: The most valuable part of the job is definitely when you get VLU: What do you actually do? VLU: So what’s on the horizon for the Fund? months of July, August and September, so get those forms in on time! to speak to victims of the troubles and just listen to their stories - CB: The job is very varied. On the one hand I service the Board there’s so much to learn. One of the things that is a priority for me CB: Well the next big event is the launch of the ‘Back to School’ Grant of Directors who set the policy for the Fund and each of the four is to get victims’ views on the Fund’s schemes and I’ve introduced a on July 1. This will be the Fund’s 7th scheme. It’s targeting victims who VLU: Clive, thanks very much for speaking to VLU.

Can the Northern Ireland Memorial fund help you? Who’s who in VLU? Fill in the coupon below if any of the boxes fit your circumstances Over recent months there have been many staff changes in VLU. We thought it might be helpful to let you know who they are, what they do and how they can be reached. NORTHERN IRELAND MEMORIAL FUND Victims Liaison Unit Memorial Fund Secretariat Please tick all the boxes that apply to you and we will send you the relevant forms: [email protected] [email protected] I lost my partner/parent/child/brother/sister in the troubles; (please circle) SARAH TODD CLIVE BARBOUR Head of the Unit Secretary to the Fund I received an injury as a direct result of a troubles related incident;

9052 7952 9052 7939 I am the primary carer for an immediate family member injured in the troubles; CAROLYN McCORMICK I am wheelchair bound as a direct result of the troubles; ANNE O’CONNELL Fund Administrator Deputy Head of the Unit 9052 7939 I suffer from persistent chronic physical pain as a direct result of the troubles; 9052 7090 I became an amputee as a direct result of the troubles

WENDY CHINN I am in receipt of Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance/Housing Benefit/Working Development Officer GAILBRASHAW Family Tax Credit/Disabled Persons’ tax Credit and have one or more dependent Office Manager 9052 7939 school age children living at home. 9052 7902 Grants Office Name ...... PLEASE RETURN COUPON TO: [email protected] NORTHERN IRELAND Address ...... ANNE COLVILLE MEMORIAL FUND, Executive Support DONNA McKEE ...... Office Manager FIRST FLOOR, 9052 7861 ALBANY HOUSE, 90 245965 ...... 73-75 GREAT VICTORIA STREET, EILEEN GILCHRIST PAULBROWN Postcode ...... BELFAST BT2 7AF Clerical Support Grants Officer Telephone number (optional) ...... 9052 7058 90 245965

The Victims Liaison Unit was established in May 1998 The Victims Liaison Unit was established in May 1998