Monkstown’s Spring 2014 NewsMonkstown’s iNews is produced by Monkstown Community Forum and printed courtesy of NIHE Information and News for the Greater Monkstown Area Monkstown projects among those receiving funding from the Areas at Risk Programme Newtownabbey Borough Council has secured over £350k of funding from the Department for Social De- velopment for the implementation of the Areas at Risk Programme. The programme which was estab- lished to identify and intervene in areas at risk of slipping into decline, aims to help communities which lack any targeted support. Last year the Council appointed consultants to analyse socio eco- nomic data and conduct in- depth research with statutory agencies, schools, community groups, sports clubs and church groups to identify needs and possible projects within the three identified areas at risk Conor Ellis, Deputy Director of Belfast Regenerations Office; Nelson McCausland MLA, Minister for which are parts of Carnmoney, Social Development; Jacqui Dixon, Chief Executive Newtownabbey Borough Council and the Mayor, Monkstown and Mossley. Alderman Fraser Agnew with representatives from each of the projects benefitting from the funding. Following completion of the con- cohesive community which every- The assistance will be fundamental sultation process, an action plan was one can feel part of. I want to com- in supporting the delivery of inter- drawn up detailing the delivery of a mend the many community repre- vention and development projects range of projects between January sentatives for coming together un- across the identified areas over the 2014 and March 2015. der this initiative to develop an ac- next 12-15 months. Overall, the Speaking at the launch, the Minis- tion plan that will address their funding will enhance community ter for Social Development, Nelson needs. It is the meeting of local com- development and participation, McCausland MLA commented: munity needs which is the heart of therefore providing a positive im- “The Areas at Risk programme pro- this programme and I am confident pact on the local community as a vides assistance to communities that that it will play an important part in whole.” are at risk of social, economic or en- helping reinvigorate the local com- Monkstown was well represented vironmental decline. The funding munity.” in the allocation of the funding. In will allow residents of all ages from The Mayor, Alderman Fraser all there were six projects which will the Carnmoney, Monkstown and Agnew added: both consolidate and develop the Mossley areas to get involved in “This funding is fantastic news and services they provide within the activities that have been developed is hugely welcome, particularly in area. A summary of the Monkstown to help build a stronger and more the borough’s three areas at risk. projects follows on page 4. Spring 2014 Issue 15 1 Monkstown’s iNews Good advice by Pat Hutchinson MBE, District Manager, Newtownabbey CAB Question the payments are too high, you’ll find it harder to get out I am in thousands of pounds worth of debt and don’t of debt. know where to start to sort them out. You don’t have to pay for debt advice Get free, confi- dential and independent advice from your nearest Citizens Answer Advice Bureau – go to www.adviceguide.ork.uk or call at: Debt can be daunting but taking a proactive approach to sort them out is a good way forward. Newtownabbey Citizens Advice Bureau One of the first things you need to do is figure out who Dunanney Centre, Rathmullan Drive, you owe money to and how much. It is easy for debts to get Rathcoole, Newtownabbey BT37 9DQ out of hand, particularly as interest and other charges may be added to the amount you owe. To help reduce client waiting times all personal callers to It’s really important that you prioritise your debts to bureau are given a 5 minute assessment to determine if make sure you are protected. Urgent debts are things like they need an appointment, email address or telephone num- rent/rates, energy bills and income tax. If you don’t pay ber. Only Pre – arranged appointments are available at the these, you could face being evicted, have your gas and elec- main bureau and all Outreaches; these can be arranged by tricity cut off or taken to court because you didn’t pay telephoning the Bureau or calling personally to the main your rates. It’s worth remembering that those who shout Centre at Dunanney or emailing the bureau. the loudest aren’t necessarily those who should be paid first. Less urgent debts are things like loans and credit ADVICE IS STILL AVAILABLE cards. ON THE TELEPHONE The next step is to work out a budget by listing all of 9am – 4pm each day the money you have coming in and going out each month. 028 90852271 That way you’ll be able to see what you have left over and Lunch 1:00 - 1:30pm how much you can pay towards your debts. After that, it is time to speak to the companies you owe money and ask Newtownabbey CAB contribute to work in the community them to agree a new repayment plan with you, remembering and to social issues undertaken both locally and nationally, to stick to your list of urgent and non-urgent debts. Make particularly by identifying enquiries which have wide impli- sure you only agree to repayment plans you can afford. If cations. Monkstown Community School Playgroup Bridge Road, Monkstown Monkstown Community School Playgroup received a DE Sustainability Fund which supports staffs salary grant from the Northern Childcare Partnership of costs and this allows for Playgroup fees to be kept at £1970 to purchase play equipment to support Devel- a cost that is affordable to most families. oping Healthy Lifestyles in The Early Years. The Playgroup also received an Arts and Culture Grant from Newtownabbey Borough Council of £400 Goodbye Roberta! to provide 11drama sessions by Debutots, the ses- The Playgroup bid farewell to long serving volunteer sions include listening to and joining in with stories, Roberta McKay, she will be missed by everyone. We singing rhymes and simple songs. wish her many happy retirement years. The parents and children also raised £220 with a cof- fee morning and children performing Christmas songs which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The Shirley Dunlop money raised will be used to improve the outdoor play Playgroup Leader area. M: 07810 121 531 The Playgroup also receives partial funding from the T: 02890 867 431 ext 211 Monkstown’s iNews 2 Spring 2014 Issue 15 ous stalls and informa- Moving to “Big School” tion stands with ca- reers advisors, commu- The transition from Primary to Secondary school is a major nity links groups and concern for many Primary 7 pupils and their parents. At the Henderson Monkstown Community School we try to make that move as Group—our business stress-free as possible. One of our strategies has been the run- partners. There was ning of Primary School workshops. A typical day in a Monk- also a nail bar staffed stown workshop will include being taught in the Science labs, by our vocational stud- using the facilities in the Fitness Suite and Sports Hall and ies pupils. The Head- developing a new artistic skill in Art & Design. This allows master told everyone pupils to discover about the opportuni- the building and ties available at the facilities and take school. More persua- part in the aca- sive however, were the demic life of the three pupils, who school. So far we shared their experi- have welcomed ences of life at Monkstown. Jason, a Year 8 pupil talked about over 400 pupils to his transition from Mossley Primary School and his experi- the school. ences here. Andrew one of our Year 11s described how he Another way we selected his GCSE options and how supportive he felt the help familiarise school had been when he transferred here from a Grammar pupils and their parents with our school is through the Open school. Finally, Rachel one of our Year 13s shared her Night and so Thursday 30th January was a very eventful eve- thoughts about all of school life. ning at Monkstown Community School. Many prospective At the end of pupils and their parents were welcomed into the school to Open Night, all explore the facilities available. There were Science experi- guests were given ments, a forensic crime scene, photoshop workshops, a home- the school pro- less shelter in Religious Studies, “I’m a celebrity” games in spectus, a copy of Learning for Life and Work and a French café. the school news- For those not already exhausted, there was a Maths chal- paper and a col- lenge and pizza kitchen on the middle floor with erupting our magazine volcanoes, a history museum and a jazz cafe on the top floor. called “Enjoying There was a buzz in the Assembly Hall created by the vari- your first few days at our Christmas Jumpers school”. Many Year 8s wrote open letters to their primary schools, sharing their experiences of “big school” and encour- There is something about the festive period which causes aging the pupils there to choose Monkstown. Others wrote of people to go a little crazy. Eating things that they would their experiences starting at a new school and talked about never normally eat (mince pies) and wear things that they the Year 8 induction days. There were also several articles would never normally wear (jolly jumpers). To acknowledge written by our sixth years and a past pupil, reflecting on their this and to collect a little bit of money for charity we held experiences at the school.