Shared Neighbourhood News Winter Edition 2020 INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the festive edition of Whiteabbey Shared Neighbourhood News! This edition is packed full of news from across the community along with seasonal health & safety advice and information. Our hope is to provide some heart warming stories in these strange times we currently find ourselves in and to provide information regarding help, advice and support along with news on upcoming activities in the area.

Inside our Winter Edition is: Community Support Services Information Christmas recipe Upcoming Events Feature Article How To Get Involved WHAT DOES SHARED HOUSING MEAN? The delivery of shared housing is now an action in the Programme for Government 2016 -2021, and the Department for Communities is committed to delivering approximately 200 shared social housing units per year as part of the Social Housing Development Programme. The Programme for Government shared housing is badged "Housing For All."

Each shared neighbourhood such as Abbeyville Place, Whiteabbey is supported through the development and delivery of a five-year Good Relations Plan. The Good Relations Plan is managed by the Housing Association developing the shared scheme and it includes ‘bonding’ programmes which are delivered to the new shared neighbourhood residents, and ‘bridging’ programmes which are delivered between the new shared residents and residents from surrounding communities. COVID-19 Community Response

Life in Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church has returned to a sort of normality and whilst many of our activities continue online, one or two groups have managed to meet in the building within the current covid guidelines. Like many groups at this time of year we are planning our Christmas activities and whilst we are unable to gather as we would normally have done for the Christmas Fair, Carols on the Steps and our annual service of Carols by Candlelight, we will be busy producing material for access via our YouTube Channel and Facebook page. So do please check these out for details and we would love to have you join us over this Christmas season. A reminder also that ‘we are here to help’ and if anyone in the community needs help or assistance during the current restrictions we are very happy to hear from them. Our contact details: 02890864084 or email [email protected].

Due to the ongoing global pandemic Covid-19, we have had to rethink how we live and work. These unprecedented changes throughout the world has meant that here at Connswater Homes most of all the agreed Good Relations Shared Housing Projects that were to take place in 2020, have had to postponed, or re-designed to be delivered in a different way. Connswater Homes contacted Artsekta to incorporate their Above: Caoimhe and Rosa idea of learning about the world we live in from the comfort Below: Aine and Abbie with of home – The Diversity Box. next door neighbour This was essentially a community project in which we learnt Lyndsey,Matthew and Robyn. about other people. It was a project to collect recipes but also history and stories. The boxes contained arts and cultural activities exploring the wonderful world around us via crafts, cooking, and family fun. In the box there were lots of different facts about countries across the globe, step by step craft activities and simple global recipes to try at home. It was our hope that the boxes would open minds, raise awareness, and encourage diversity. WHITEABBEY SUMMER SCHEME Given the very strange 6 months that we have all just encountered, Connswater Homes felt it was important to give the kids a bit of normality before they started back to school. We developed a Summer Scheme that aimed to shine a light on the importance of coming together for a better neighbourhood and working together to keep the neighbourhood a welcoming place to live. The summer scheme was designed to bring the kids together in a structured environment and looked at addressing issues such as good relations, respect, and tolerance through sport. Connswater Homes partnered with Sport Changes Life to deliver this scheme. Sport Changes Life is a sports foundation built on inspiration, hope, and victory. The primary goal of the Sport Changes Life foundation is to provide an opportunity for raising the aspiration of young people on both sides of the Atlantic so that they can live out their dreams and guide them as sport changes their lives. Their professional team of Victory Scholars and sports mentors deliver one of the most empowering, innovative, and inspirational youth engagement programmes that will help motivate our young people to a brighter future. Each engagement project is built on five key elements: inspire, succeed, connect, celebrate, and envision. In the kids own words, some of their favourite parts of it were: “Everything but mostly dodgeball. Meeting new people.” “Meeting new people and all of us having fun.”

Abbeyville Place Summer Scheme complied with the NI Executive restriction on the number of people that could meet indoors. At the time it was a 30-person limit indoors. Connswater Homes carried out all the necessary risk assessments to ensure social distancing would be followed during every part of the Summer Scheme. Prior to the scheme all parents were provided with information on special measures being taken. This detailed what they could expect from Connswater Homes and Sport Changes Life and what was expected of them as parents/Guardians of participants. Abbeyville Place Halloween @ Home Spooktacular Boxes

Following the updated guidance from the Executive on Monday 21st September, and the then later announced circuit breaker lockdown, Halloween activities were not to be normal for children this year.

Connswater Homes felt it would be good to give families something different to look forward to by providing a Halloween At Home Spooktacular box. The bonus being that these would hopefully encourage families to abide by these new restrictions. It was also hoped these boxes would alleviate some of the disappointment of not getting to celebrate Halloween in the normal way.

Included in the box:

· A pumpkin for every household to carve, along with a video demo by Vikki from Plant and Play.

· A recipe for an Apple Pie, along with all the ingredients and a video demo provided by Sharon from Kindergarden Cooks.

· 4 arts and craft activities including Diwali lanterns and Day of the Dead wooden puppets

· Provisions for a movie night e.g. DVD, popcorn etc.

· A fact booklet containing information on Halloween like traditions from around the world.

Above: Abbie Above: Rio and Junior Above: Harper Above: Max Wider Whiteabbey Community Initiatives

From September the centre has been slowly opening up and we were able to welcome back our in-house users who attend the Women’s, Men’s and Fibro groups. The groups enjoyed much-needed chats and took part in crafts every week. We also had the chance to meet some new faces who enjoyed some late summer sunshine and outdoor gardening. This was a lovely opportunity to showcase what the Centre has to offer to other groups in the local community. Our partnership with the ‘Whiteabbey by the Sea’ group continues to grow through joint events such as the newly dedicated ‘Noah Wall’ which seen local children paint and decorate to visually demonstrate local support.

Halloween 2020 was a little different for us with no indoor activities organised however we were able to provide our Junior and Senior Youth members with the essentials to have a Spooktacular time. We distributed 60 goody bags packed full of crafts, sweet treats and fancy dress must haves.

Above: Contents Above: Sophie and Ronan Whiteabbey Community Centre

Christmas this year will see the Community Centre illuminated to ensure Santa can see us and make a much-needed stop on Sunday 6 December.

Whiteabbey Community Centre are planning an outdoor lighting display with festive refreshments and a craft stall for all the family to stroll by and enjoy at their leisure.

Youth club members will be invited to collect their festive gift packs and enjoy a surprise on the 11th & 18th December.

Whiteabbey Community Centre Christmas ballot draw will be made on Wednesday 16th December and ballots can be purchased from the Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am – 1pm.

Follow Whiteabbey Hub on Facebook for further updates.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and safe New Year, hoping 2021 brings much needed joy to all!

Following the success and happiness the Connswater Homes Halloween @ Home boxes brought, we are working together to get the Christmas boxes organised and distributed to all those registered with Youth club.

*DUE TO THE EVERCHANGING COVID GUIDELINES, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO SET DATES AND HOPE SOME OF THESE EVENTS MAY EVEN HAPPEN OUTDOORS. PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR FURTHER INFO ON THESE EVENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA* Wider Whiteabbey Community Initiatives Whiteabbey Residents Association have grouped together to take care of the lane which connects the community at Abbeyville to Whiteabbey train station, known locally as Devlin’s Lane. Emmanuel (Manny) Mullen, a member of Whiteabbey Residents’ Association, said: “We’re looking at getting more people, especially local kids, involved, coming up with ideas for it and helping to paint the murals. Ideas for murals so far include one about coronavirus, the lockdown and to represent this time. We’ve also had ideas about a mural dedicated to promoting positive mental health. Community ideas and particularly kids ideas are vital here. If you have any ideas please get in touch. We’re hoping to paint murals on the wall the whole way along." During the project, the group found out an interesting fact about Devlin’s Lane - nobody actually owns it! Having gone to the Land Trust, the council and the roads service, the group discovered nobody owns it. In the 1950s, it was owned by the Irish Above: Devlin's Lane's first mural. Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust, but that organisation was dissolved in 1987."So, the land is basically just lying here, and the community have now decided to take ownership of it. We’re going to maintain it and look after it."

Whiteabbey Residents Association recently mounted a plaque on the remaining structure at the shore where coal boats would once have been tied up. “On our shores is the remains of the old coal pier where Kelly’s coal boats would come into Whiteabbey to off load coal onto the pier, which was then taken to Archie McFall’s Above: The Pier coal yard in the village. The pier dates back to the late 20s, early Below: Coal boat 30s and stands as a local landmark today. So we now have it listed on the Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record."

Left: Coal pier plaque.

Right: Coal boat plaque.

Far Right: Coal boat Easy Christmas Tree Brownie Recipe

INGREDIENTS 1 box Brownie Mix 1 tub white vanilla icing Green food colouring Small round sprinkles Small star sprinkles Candy canes

INSTRUCTIONS 1.Line an 8"x8" baking pan with aluminium foil and spray with cooking spray 2..Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions and bake as directed 3..Allow brownies to completely cool, approximately 1.5 hours. 4.Remove the brownies from the pan, and cut into triangles. (Cut in three rows, then cut in alternating diagonals, as in the photo shown above) 5.Unwrap the candy canes, and use a sharp knife to gently cut/break the candy canes into 1.5" long pieces. 6.Press the sharper end of the candy cane into the bottom of the brownie triangles. 7.Spoon out approximately 1/2 of the tub of icing into a bowl. 8.Add green food colouring until you're happy with the colour 9..Spoon the green icing into a zip lock bag. 10.Seal the bag and cut off a small corner of the bag with sharp scissors. 11.Starting at the top of the brownie triangles, gently squeeze out the icing in a curvy zigzag as you go down the tree 12..Add your favourite sprinkles and a small star sprinkle at the top. 13.Enjoy! Christmas Eve Jingle Bell Event Join the Christmas Eve jingle bell event to help Santa fly his sleigh and spread joy!

On Christmas Eve at 6pm we are encouraging everyone to come outside and ring a bell for 2 mins to spread Christmas spirit and to help Santa fly that sleigh. After a tough year it would be an amazing memory for the kids and communities to end 2020 with a bit of Magic, hope and togetherness!" DIY Christmas Bell Decoration You will need: · Yoghurt pot or paper cup · A bell · Gold tissue paper · PVA glue sequins/glitter · other decorative bits · Ribbon/pipe cleaner to hang

Instructions: Decorate your yoghurt pot or cup, Using scraps of the gold tissue paper, paint, glitter, and stickers until it is all covered. When the pot is dry, ask an adult to make a hole in the bottom of the pot with scissors. Thread through some ribbon or yarn with the bell attached, tying a knot on the inside to secure. Decorate your bell with sequins, ribbon, and glitter glue if you like. COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES Lockdown restrictions continue to be in place in one form or another which can be a very isolating time for many. There are a range of services still operating. These include befriending, listening ear and welfare advice. Please find below details of support services operating in the area.

COVID-19 Community Helpline You can now access a free Advice NI helpline for information & advice, available 9AM-5PM, 7 days a week. Tel: 0808 802 0020 Email: [email protected]. Text ACTION to 81025

Age N.I. Advice and Advocacy Service Providing free confidential advice and support for older people, their family and carers on welfare benefits, community care, residential and nursing care, housing and health. Tel: 0808 808 7575 Email: [email protected] Website. ageni.org/advice. Open from 8am to 7.00pm 7 days a week.

Community Advice Antrim & Antrim Office: Farranshane House, 1 Ballygore Road, Antrim BT41 2RN. Newtownabbey Office: Dunanney Centre, Rathmullan Drive, Newtownabbey, BT37 9DQT. Tel: 0289590 6505 Website: communityadvicean.co.uk

Newtownabbey Food Bank Church, 258 Carnmoney Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 6JZ. Tel: 0758 117 9604 Antrim Foodbank c/o Oasis Antrim, 10d High Street, Antrim BT41 4AN. For opening times and referral details contact Tel: 0751 581 3374.

Good Morning Newtownabbey A free telephone service for older and vulnerable people within the community that offers advice and support to reduce isolation. Tel: 028 9086 6385

Good Morning Antrim A free telephone service for older and vulnerable people within the community that offers advice and support to reduce isolation. Tel: 028 9446 4619 This is the COVID-19 Response Telephone and Alert Service for those feeling vulnerable and isolated. EMERGENCY FOOD BANK

Food banks provide a minimum of three days of emergency food to people in crisis, alongside additional support. Food banks work with frontline professionals to identify people who need support and give them a food bank voucher. These professionals include local agencies like children’s centres, housing associations, advice charities, and mental health teams, who are best placed to assess need. Once someone has been referred, they can exchange their voucher at their nearest food bank for an emergency food parcel containing a minimum of three days nutritionally balanced food. Food banks are designed to provide short-term, emergency support with food during a crisis. They aim to relieve that immediate pressure by providing food, but also offer additional support so that people don’t need to use the food bank again in the future.

http://newtownabbey.foodbank.org.uk/ or phone 07581 179604 We would love to hear from you Would you like to add anything to our upcoming newsletters? We would love to hear from you. Anything from personal stories to poems or anything you may feel would be of interest to residents of Whiteabbey Please get in touch by emailing [email protected] *Connswater Homes will be closed on Thursday 24th December, reopening on Tuesday 29th December 2020, and closed on Friday 1st January 2021, reopening on Monday 4th January 2021.* Connswater Homes Ltd, 5 Citylink Business Park, Albert Street, Belfast BT12 4HQ. T: 02890 656155 www.connswater.org.uk