Board of Social Witness

BSW News and Prayer Focus

Board Meeting

The Board has now agreed its Strategic Plan for the period 2007-2012. There is a total of eight strategic objectives - one dealing with the activity of the Board; one for each of the Assembly Committees (SOFA); one for Finance, Personnel and Property. These together with the key tasks will give the Board its programme of work. The Board also received reports from the Secretary and Board Conveners. Mrs. Linda Gibson (Acting Chaplain, Maghaberry Prison) and Rev. Marlene Taylor (Chaplain, Marie Curie) also gave a report on their work.

Taking Care Trainers

Twenty-one volunteer trainers and Taking Care staff met in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh to launch the new training material. As part of the training each member had to take on the identity of a youth leader, Sunday School teacher, young person or parent, thus letting them see issues through someone else's eyes. Trainers are now available in most Presbyteries; bookings can be made by contacting the Taking Care office (028) 9041 7229.

Health and Hygiene

It is essential that we keep our kitchens and coffee bars to the highest standards of cleanliness. Environmental Health departments are assuring us that the common sense approach will be applied. Please be especially careful when catering for the elderly and frail members of our community. Allergies are also a major issue concerning children and young people attending youth organisations, parties and outings, remembering in particular that one young person can place another at risk by simply eating a chocolate bar with nuts.

Adelaide House Bridges Age Gap

Four residents made a visit to Finaghy Primary School to talk to children in P4 who were completing a project on World War II. The children listened attentively and asked some very searching questions regarding our residents' experiences during the war.

In June the children from P4 came to Adelaide House to talk to and have lunch with the residents. Adelaide House residents who had visited Finaghy Primary School had read all the projects and presented prizes to the winners in each category.

Mount Charles Catering had provided lunch in paper bags as would have been given to evacuees - including spam sandwiches!! All the children had luggage labels round their necks as would have been the custom in those years.

This was a most enjoyable project which we hope will become an annual event.

PCI Counselling

The Church is well served by a group of counsellors who give of their time voluntarily and who are kept busy with a growing demand for the service. Problems covered include marriage breakdown, abuse (emotional, mental, physical and sexual), relationship difficulties, sexual orientation, attempted suicides, eating disorders and financial problems. Confidentiality and anonymity are maintained by the counsellors at all times. Many clients are referred to the service by local ministers, while others are recommended by word of mouth, by friends or through yellow pages. Counselling sessions are held mainly in the Belfast area, although counsellors are able to travel to other places. Contact with the service is made through the PCI Counselling Co-ordinator, Stephanie Windrum, tel: (028) 9261 0586.

Visit the Taking Care Website

POCVA (Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults), Garda checks and child protection issues are explained. All leaders, volunteers, teachers and staff members, and all those working with children and young people on a regular basis should familiarise themselves with the website. Simply go to www.presbyterianireland.org/takingcare

For further information, support and training, contact the Taking Care Co-ordinator, Deborah Webster, or Administrator, Gail McCullagh, tel: (028) 9041 7229.

Please pray for:

Lindsay Conway, Director of Social Service; Rev Roy Vallely, Convener of the Board; the Board staff team; Heads of Units; staff and volunteers as they declare and demonstrate God's love in practical projects.
Our residents, clients, and all our users that they may find the true Spirit of Christ in the work that we do.
Recognizing the needs of congregations highlighted in the congregational survey and for guidance in assisting and encouraging local social witness projects.
God's wisdom and direction as the Board reviews its Committee structure and relates to other Boards and Agencies as the Church clarifies its mission and priorities.

Give thanks for:

Everyone who uses our services, all unique in God's eyes.
The dedicated work of the Board and all its Committees.
All the opportunities and challenges that have been presented to us.
The committed staff in the Board office and individual units.