View issue 24

Social Affairs magazine for community/voluntary sectorWebsite: viewdigital.org Issue 24, 2014

VIEWIt almost makes me cry,

that at the age of 26

you are an

alcoholic. You

have a

whole life

ahead of

you – if

you get

the help

you need

‘

’Read VIEW’s exclusive story on pages 4-5about the need for a purpose-built centre tohelp women suffering from alcohol problems

VIEW, issue 24, 2014 Website: viewdigital.org

VIEW

EditorialVIEW, the online publicationfor the community/voluntarysector in Northern Ireland.

CONTENTSCONTENTSFootball plea

Page 6 A football teamhas appealed for help inorder to take part in thisyear’s Homeless WorldCup.

Many thanks

Pages 8 A big thank-youto all volunteers inNorthern Ireland will bemade at the launch ofVolunteers’ Week, laterthis year

Comment

Page 10 Joanne McDowell, above, the BigLottery’s Fund directorfor NI, poses a questionabout the challenges thatlie ahead

Photographer Kevincooper has more

than 25 years experience in Press

and Prphotography. Kevin

works to a widerange of clients in

community andvoluntary sector

organisations as wellas the trade union

movement.

Kevin cooper

PHoToLinE

For quoTaTions

conTacT

E: [email protected]: 028 90777299

M: 07712044751

Some stories raise therehead in the Press and thenquickly fade away. One

such story was about a youngwoman called Eimear Syming-ton who left a restaurant inBelfast without paying her billand was sentenced to a month inprison.

The unusual aspect of thiscase was the fact that MsSymington admitted the factthat she was an alcoholic and,hoped that by asking to go tojail she would receive treatment for her conditionwhile in custody.

The judge told the 26-year-old, with an address inBelfast, her confession to beingan alcoholic “almost makes mecry”.

Judge Bernadette Kelly

said: “I don't know where tostart, especially with someonelike you – quite clearly bright,well-educated and with somuch potential.

“You are telling me, and Ihave to say that almost makesme cry, that at the ripe old ageof 26 you are an alcoholic.

“Even at 26 you still havea whole life ahead of you if youget the help you need.”

Fionnuala Kennedy, whoworks for the Kabosh TheatreCompany, was so appalled atthe story of Eimear that sheasked VIEW could she write anarticle about it.

Fionnuala was concernedthat Eimear would not receivethe treatment she needs inprison.

As part of her researchinto this, Fionnuala highlightsthe fact that in Northern Ireland there is no dedicatedwomen-only facility for femalealcoholics.

VIEW hopes that by publishing her story on pagesfour and five we can start a debate on the urgent need tobuild such a facility.

VIEW editorBrian Pelan

Protecting data

Page 13 We need to ensure data protection,says Dennis Hamill, from Edwards and Cosolicitors

Peacemakers

Pages 14-19 A selectionof images which offers ataste of the ‘QuietPeacemakers’ exhibitionby artist and musicianSusan Hughes, left

Oxfam backed

Pages 22 Learning disability charity Mencaphave launched their annual race day at DownRoyal on June 20 to raisefunds

Website: viewdigital.orgVIEW, issue 24, 2014

1. What is your position and howlong have you worked there?I am Communications Manager at Start360– the new name for Opportunity Youth –and have been here since April 2013.

2. Your favourite film?It’s a tie between Apocalypse Now and TheLost Boys.

3.Your favourite book or author?My degree was in American Studies atQUB and I spent a term studying the workof William Faulkner – he remains one ofmy favourite authors to this day. More recently, I love Barbara Kingsolver andwould recommend all of her books, particularly The Poisonwood Bible.

4.Five ideal guests for a dinnerparty -alive or deceased?I am a bit of a bird nerd so my first threeplaces are easily filled by Chris Packham,Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela Strachan from Springwatch. Then I’d add informer F1 driver Mark Webber and former

US president Bill Clinton.

5. Favourite holiday location andwhy?Southern Italy – great weather, amazingfood, incredible scenery. My sister and her family live there, in a little village inCalabria.

6. Most embarrassing moment. I’ve never revealed this publicly but when Iwas ten, I appeared on TV on a show calledRoland Rat’s Rat Race. Only those of a certain generation will remember it.

7. What expression do you usemore than most?‘I know, I know’ which I regularly say inreply to the miaows of my four cats... eventhough I know that makes me sound like acrazy cat lady!

8. Who has been your biggest inspiration to date?Racing driver and athlete Alex Zanardi. Helost both his legs in a horrendous accident

in 2001 but went on to win races in theWorld Touring Car Championship in a specially adapted car and won two goldmedals and one silver medal in handcyclingat the London 2012 Paralympics.

9. Pet hate?Earphone leakage, particularly when I’m onthe train – it’s never music I’d choose tolisten to myself and people have no idea of the damage they’re doing to their hearing.

10. Favourite TV show?A hard question. I am torn between Boardwalk Empire and Homeland.

11. Your ideal job?I’d like to run my own restaurant/ foodshop/ book shop/ organic fruit and vegbusiness. I don’t look for much.

12. Tell us a joke? What did the man say when he cameacross three holes in the ground? Well wellwell.

Zoe Anderson – Communications Manager for Start360

When I was ten, I appeared on TV on ashow called Roland Rat’s Rat Race‘

’


On March 24 this year, 26-year-old Eimear Symingtonwas given a month in prisonfor leaving a Belfast restaurant without paying

her £37.90 bill. Her lawyer advised that instead of paying the money, she was seeking imprisonment because she was analcoholic and thought it might help her dryout.

Judge Bernadette Kelly said: “I don'tknow where to start, especially with some-one like you – quite clearly bright, well-educated and with so much potential.You are telling me, and I have to say that almost makes me cry, that at the ripe oldage of 26 you are an alcoholic. Even at 26you still have a whole life ahead of you ifyou get the help you need.”

What ‘help’ is on offer for EimearSymington, a young girl who choosesprison as her only possible step towardsrecovery? There is a common belief thatprison regimes include rigorous addictionprogrammes for prisoners abusing drugsand/or alcohol.

Ash House is Northern Ireland’s onlyfemale prison, located in one of the unitsat Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre.

In his 2013 inspection of the women’sprison, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Jus-tice Brendan McGuigan said: “It is wrong torun a female prison at the margins of anoverwhelmingly male establishment.”

His report demonstrates the effectsof this – not only do the women experience intimidation from male prisoners, and are “needlessly stripsearched on arrival and randomly after

visits”, treatment for substance abuse is“not based on a local analysis of needs”,and substance misuse services are “worsefor women than male prisoners held at thissite.” While it is wrong to ignore the factthat prisoners have committed a crime, it

is also wrong to ignore the fact that a humiliating and substandard service offeredto female prisoners increases the chancesof reoffending and reduces the chances ofrecovery. Many former prisoners emergebroken and degraded.

During my research into addictionservices in Northern Ireland, I spoke to afriend who was dependent on alcohol.After admitting this to his GP he was referred to Addiction NI. He waited approximately six weeks and was offered a12-session counselling service.

At his first session, he admitted hewas sofa-surfing and had nowhere to live.His counsellor immediately put him intouch with a hostel in Belfast, which hemoved into that same day. His counsellingsessions delved into experiences in hischildhood that may have led to his alcoholmisuse. Following his treatment with Addiction NI, he states that, although still

drinking, he is no longer dependent on alcohol to “get him through the day”.

Other services that may be morewell-known are Carlisle House in Belfast(offering a six-week residential pro-gramme) and Cuan Mhaire in Newry (offering a 12-week residential pro-gramme). Access to these services isthrough self-referral, referral through GPsor related services. If you have access tothe internet, access to a phone, access toyour GP/healthcare, you may apply forthese programmes. The waiting lists are upto 12 weeks, a long time to wait if you’re atrock bottom. Aftercare is available follow-ing both programmes but is limited in sessions and significantly less intensive thanthe resident treatment programmes.

Charlie McGarry is manager of Rosemount House in Belfast, a facility providing sheltered and supported accommodation for men seeking recoveryfrom alcohol addiction. Rosemount Households 20 ensuite rooms and often takes referrals from the aforementioned organisations. They run an 18-month totwo-year programme for residents, agedbetween 18 and 80. With a dedicated staffteam of 12 supported by volunteers in various capacities, the men have atimetable of activities that not only includes counselling for addiction, but provides health care, reflexology, personaldevelopment, life skills and more.

The place is set up to be a home fromhome for these men, with the staff in placeto serve their needs.

Charlie’s emphasis on the importanceof ensuite rooms reflects the effort to ensure the men have independence and

Is jail the answerfor women withalcohol problems?

In the wake of a judge sending a 26-year-old to prison, Fionnuala Kennedy says there is an urgent need for a new female-only facility to treat those suffering from alcoholism

‘Many of the ex-prisonersemerge brokenand degraded’


comfort to aid their recovery. Some staffmembers are recovering alcoholics whichCharlie sees as crucial in understanding theneeds of each man. “I’m not an alcoholic, Ihave no idea what pain these men aregoing through.”

He also recognises that each residenthas different needs and therefore programmes are tailored for them. Menare welcome to return to RosemountHouse following their programme, andmany come back for tea, dinner or a chat.

When I bring up the case of EimearSymington, Charlie replies “wee Eimear”He had met Symington on previous occasions as on his weekends, Charlie visits “street drinkers”, offering help, advice, clothing, even a packet of cigarettes.He believes there needs to be a dedicatedfacility for women only and has drawn up abusiness plan for one reflecting the ethosand practise of Rosemount House.

He is quick to say that it won’t be exactly the same, because he recognisesthat women have different needs. Whilstall rooms will have an ensuite, he wantstwo specialised rooms for women withchildren, so children can stay over at timeswith their mother.

They have two buildings that areready to be renovated for this purpose. As in many cases, addiction can lead to

homelessness so the green light is neededfrom the NI Housing Executive.

Rosemount House is ‘specialist accommodation’. When he approachedthem, Charlie was told that there is noclear evidence of need. “I can go out

tomorrow and get 10 to 12 women to fillthat place,” Charlie says. “Why is this notevidence of need?” Charlie believes it’s theshame and stigma of it. It is a difficult thingfor a woman to admit, especially if she haschildren.

I’m curious as to how this requiredevidence of need is measured. When Isearched for similar accommodation, thereis none like Rosemount House. All hostelsappear to be for men and women, or menonly. There are a large number of women-only hostels for victims of domestic violence, and rightly so. There is one crisis

hostel for single women sleeping rough.Charlie touches upon the dangers of amixed-sex hostel environment for womenwith substance abuse problems.

He stipulates they can be detrimentalto a women’s mental health as well as herchances of recovery. There is no doubt inCharlie’s mind that specialist services forwomen with addictions are crucial and urgent.

Can it be that there is no need? Dowe have to reassess how we quantify need?Or does the need have to be so great, thata centre is created and then a waiting listensues? Through my research it is clear tome that the need is there and that as a society we are in denial or have a lack ofunderstanding of the problems facing ourwomen.

During a tour of Crumlin Road Gaollast year, our guide told us that in researching the history of the prison, shediscovered that in the late 1800s, morewomen were jailed for being drunk anddisorderly than men.

She suspected it was because of society’s view of women at the time –women were not allowed or indeed expected to behave in such a manner.

In 2014, I suspect this view remains. Ionly wonder what awaits Eimear on her release.

‘I can go out tomorrow and get 10 to 12women to fill it’

As a society we are in denial or have a lack of understanding of the problems facing women


By Una Murphy

AFOOTBALL team from Northern Ireland has appealed for help to takepart in the Homeless World Cup in

Chile later this year.It will be second time the Street

League squad has competed in an international tournament. Last year thefootball team took part in the HomelessWorld Cup in Poland.

Organiser Justin McMinn said it hasbeen an uphill struggle raising funds toallow the footballers, some who are homeless and have overcome addictionproblems, to make the trip to South America. He said the team had learnt a lotfor taking part in the last World Cup inPoland.

“Since it’s Chile, it’s a lot more expensive for flights and things like that.We’ve been visiting different people,

different groups. It’s hard to get an answer.It’s hard for people to say yes we’ll fundthat. So, we’re at looking at different funders to see if they could fund one flightor two flights and a cocktail type funding,were everyone puts a bit in, hopefully itcan work that way, but it is difficult”, hesaid.

“We learnt a lot in Poland especiallywith the football, it was a different pitchover there, it’s four-a-side and just gettingused to the rules, it took us a bit longer.

“We had an amazing experience andwe didn’t really have many problems overthere. So we just hope that Chile will bethe same.

“The guys all said it was the best timeof their life. We know the guys going toChile are really going to enjoy it as well.Just hopefully, it will be as successful asPoland

“Success will just be to keep the unity

of the team and to make sure we obey allthe rules that they give us.

“Obviously no drink or drugs, hopefully the guys can keep those rules.Last year when we went, we were one ofthe only teams that didn’t receive a yellow card from the referee forbad behaviour, that was pretty successful, Ididn’t think that would happen. Also if wefinish below 13th like we did last year, thatwill be a real success.”

• If VIEW readers want to helpthe Northern Ireland squad com-pete in the Homeless World Cupthey should text: NISL14 £1 to70070 to donate or visit thenistreetleague page on JustGiving

• Check out our video athttp://www.viewdigital.org/street-soccer-league/

Call to support Northern Ireland

team in the Homeless World Cup

Organiser Justin McMinn said it has been an uphill struggle raising funds to allow the footballers, some whoare homeless and have overcome addiction problems, to make the trip to South America

Our mission is to bring real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need. We have awarded funds to many outstanding projects all over the UK who have made a fantastic difference. But we can always do more. From February to July 2014, we are inviting people to add their voice to a UK wide conversation around key areas of Big Lottery Fund’s work. Your views will help us consider our role as a funder and help shape our vision and plans from 2015 to 2021. Most importantly it will help us deliver the things we passionately believe in:

VIBRANT COMMUNITIES How can we grow social capital and help communities to make the most of their strengths and talents?

ADDRESSING DISADVANTAGEWhat can we do to support people living in poverty to achieve a better quality of life? How do we address increasing demand for help in difficult times?

WORKING TOGETHER Tell us how we can best work with others to make a difference. How can we share our information, learning and resources for the benefit of others?

STRONGER SECTORHow can we best support the development of a stronger voluntary, community and social enterprise sector?

What do you think? Join the conversation Online: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/yourvoice Twitter: @biglfyourvoice #yourvoiceEmail: [email protected] In writing: Freepost RRKC-ZJKL-BYTE Your Voice Our Vision Big Lottery Fund 1 Plough Place London EC4A 1DE

Find out more and keep up to date: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/yourvoice

How can Big Lottery Fund best help communities and people in need?Shape our future vision.

YOUR VOICE OUR VISION

JOIN THE CONVERSATION


Members of UNISON NI’s Community/Voluntary branch at the May Day rally in Derry. The main theme ofthe event was to campaign in support of the Housing Executive which is is facing an uncertain future

Volunteer involving organisations areinvited to order FREE resources tohelp them recognise and thank the

volunteers in their community as part ofVolunteers’ Week from June 1 to June 7

During the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, a rangeof activities are planned to highlight the campaign.

Wendy Osborne, Chief Executive, Vol-unteer Now, said, ”The message for Volun-teers’ Week is ‘Time to say thank you.’There are currently over a quarter of amillion volunteers in Northern Irelandwho all play a vital role; from volunteerdrivers to sports coaches, from hospitalvolunteers to those working in charityshops.

“Volunteers’ Week gives us the opportunity to shine the spotlight on thesevolunteers and give them the recognitionand thanks they deserve.”

She added: “We hope voluntary andcommunity groups throughout NorthernIreland will order the special volunteerpins, certificates and banners to supporttheir participation in Volunteers’ Week ”

Volunteer involving organisations canaccess these resources by downloading theorder form from www.volunteernow.co.uk

or contact: [email protected].

Orders must be placed by May 162014.

Week of celebration willsay thanks to volunteers

Appeal: Wendy Osborne

Universityevent to discuss pressregulation

PRESS regulation will be thetopic of discussion at a meetingorganised by the Centre forMedia Research and the Schoolfor Media Film and Journalismat the University of Ulster. Theguest speaker will be JonathanHeawood, director of the IM-PRESS Project.

The meeting will be held onMay 8 at 5.15pm in the board-room, Room 82D23, at the University of Ulster campus,York Street, Belfast.

IMPRESS, in its own words,is “Developing plans for pressregulation which is independentof politicians and press owners,affordable for small publishersand websites and accountableto the public.”

John Horgan, the press ombudsman for the Republic ofIreland, who gave evidence tothe Leveson Inquiry about howpress regulation works in Ireland, will also attend.

Edwards & Co. solicitors advises charities and the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland

on a wide range of legal issues including charity creation, charitable status and

constitutional matters, trading and commercial arrangements, employment law,

finance, fundraising and property law, as well as dealing with the Charity Commission

for Northern Ireland.

Our team offers a full range of legal services including mediation, wills,criminal law,

clinical negligence and personal injury claims, as well as family/matrimonial work.

Practical advice and a sensitivepersonal approach. We prideourselves on our unrivalledcommitment to clients’ needs.

Contact Jenny and Teresa: Edwards & Co. Solicitors, 28 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA.

Tel: (028) 9032 1863 Email: [email protected]

Web: edwardsandcompany.co.uk


Standing still in our ever changingworld is not an option – and BigLottery Fund is no different. Looking back at the last 10 oreven five years, so much has

changed. Did I and others ever think wewould be blogging, using smartphones ortweeting?

But as we adapt to these changes, weare acutely aware of the enduring problems of poverty and disadvantage, particularly in the context of the upcomingwelfare reforms.

We are aware too of the challengeswe face in delivering our mission of bringing improvements to the lives of people and communities most in need.That is why we are inviting you to shareyour views on what our priorities shouldbe over the coming years.

We are committed to seeking theopinions of people who are most affected

by the inequalities in wealth, health and education, and those who have an interestin tackling the issues that exist within oursociety.

We believe we could be doing moreto contribute to and improve the lifechances for those most in need. And perhaps at times, we are trying to do toomany things at the same time. Is it our roleto help people to change things in theircommunity through, for example, a smallgrant from our Awards for All programme?

Or do we have a more strategic rolein attempting to address structural inequalities across health, education andcommunity safety through programmeslike Live & Learn or Safe & Well?

How should we balance immediateneeds against longer term support? Couldwe use our systems, skills, expertise andconnections more effectively to bring others to the table?

For instance, should we be influencingchange by using our role to broker relationships with government and otherfunders? Or should we simply be a funderwho responds to the needs of the voluntary and community sector? We alsowant your opinions on whether our ap-proach to building a strong and vibrantsector in Northern Ireland has been successful. How could we improve?

We want to start a conversationabout change and hear as many viewpointsas possible, so we can be a more effectivefunder in the future. Y

Your voices will help us meet tomorrow’s challenges as we shape our vision for the period 2015-2021.

You can join the conversation onlineat www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/yourvoice,on Twitter at @biglfyourvoice #yourvoiceor email us [email protected].

Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund’s Directorfor Northern Ireland since September 2010. askshow should the Big Lottery Fund change tomeet tomorrow’s challenges?

Comment

In a world of increasing change, the Big Lottery Fund is canvassing the public’s views on what their prioritiesshould be over the coming years


Charities have been advised, in a recent report by theNCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations),to publish full details of senior executives pay in order

to maintain public trust.The report, a product of an inquiry into charity chief

executive pay, suggests that despite legally having to provide anindication of the number of staff in pay bands over £60,000,charities need to go further to earn the public's trust.

The inquiry was set up, following last year's media attention into charity chief executives' pay, to explore arguments about appropriate levels as well as the relationshipbetween this and public trust and confidence in the sector.

Denise Fellows, chief executice of the Honorary Treasurers Forum, said: “Following the media attention lastyear, ensuring best practice on executive pay has been a greyarea for some of our members.

“Charities have a duty to ensure transparency for the public, donors and beneficiaries, not only for the levels of pay but also for the thinking behind the levels of pay by publishing in annual reports and on their websites.”

Julia Palca, chairman at Macmillan Cancer Support, alsowelcomed the report: “While trust in charities is the highest ithas been for the last few years, we welcome this report to helpensure the sector takes the steps necessary to promote transparency. We will review these recommendations in detail.”

Some of the key points were;• The 161,000 registered charities in England and Wales have acombined annual income of more than £39b.• 91% of registered charities have no paid staff and are run byvolunteers; the remaining 9% employ 800,000 people..• Two clicks away – to make this information accessible, andnot just within their annual accounts, the inquiry suggests thatcharities display this information online, and no more than twoclicks from their homepage.

Should charities in Northern Ireland

reveal the salaries of chief executives?A recent report,which coveredcharities in England andWales, has calledfor salaries ofchief executivesto be publishedin order tomaintain publictrust. VIEW would liketo know youropinion when itcomes to charities inNorthern Ireland. What doyou think?


The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Patricia Lewsley, third from left, duringa recent visit to the offices of Solas at the Cromac Regeneration Centre, Ormeau Road/Donegall Pass,Belfast. Solas is an educational charity which supports children’s additional needs

Junior MinistersJennifer McCann,2nd left, andJonathan Bell,third left, admirethe work of photographerLaurence Gibsonat the launch ofthe ‘Belonging’exhibition inShankill Library,Belfast. Photographedalong with theministers are MrGibson whotalked about hiswork and SoniaBanaszczyk ofthe Belfast Migrant Centre.The exhibition,features 20 portraits of individual migrants


In the modern working environment organisations obtain a huge amount ofpersonal information about people with

whom they interact whether they are employees, customers, service users orothers. We are frequently asked to advisethird sector organisations on what responsibilities this creates specifically inthe context of Data Protection issues.

The governing piece of legislation inthis area is the Data Protection Act 1998which came into force on 1 March 2000. Itprovides that data protection law will applyin any situation where a “data controller”processes “personal data”. It is importantto define those terms.

A “data controller” means a personwho determines the purposes for whichand the manner in which any personal datais, or is to be, processed. An obvious example is an employer.

“Personal data” means data which re-lates to a living individual who can be iden-tified from that data or from that data andother information held, or likely to comeinto the possession of the data controller.Again, an obvious example would be anemployee. Such a person is known as a“data subject”.

“Processing” covers almost any use of

personal data whether it is collecting thedata, storing it, or destroying it.

It can be seen from this brief introduction that the scope of data protection law is vast.

Assuming that your organisation is adata controller as defined by the Act whatresponsibilities does this create?

In simple terms, a data controllermust comply with the eight data protection principles as follows:-• Personal data shall be processedfairly and lawfully;• Personal data shall be obtainedonly for specified and lawful pur-poses, and shall not be furtherprocessed in any manner incompatible with those purposes;• Personal data shall be adequate,relevant and not excessive; • Personal information shall beaccurate and, where necessary,kept up to date;• Personal data shall not be keptfor any longer than is necessary;• Personal data shall be processedin accordance with the rights ofdata subjects in accordance withthe Act;• Appropriate technical and

organisational measures shall betaken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of personal data;• Personal data shall not be transferred to a country outsidethe European Economic Area unless that country ensures anadequate level of protection forthe rights and freedoms of datasubjects in relation to the processing of personal data.

There are a number of steps whichorganisations can take to ensure compliance with these principles such asobtaining the consent of the data subject. Itis vitally important that organisations getthis right as there are potential civil and criminal liabilities which arise frombreaches of data protection law.

This is a brief overview of a very chal-lenging area of law.

It is vital that all third sector organisa-tions understand their responsibilities andhave appropriate policies and proceduresin place to protect not only the organisa-tion but also those persons whose personal data the organisations hold.

Dennis Hamill is the Litigation Partner at Edwards & Co. solicitors. He provides advice andrepresentation to the firm’s third sector clientsacross a range of contentious issues.

Comment

Why it’s vital to protect data

In simple terms, a data controller must comply with theeight data protection principles

Artist and musician Susan Hughes haschosen to honour some of the participants in the Northern Ireland peace process in an

exhibition, titled ‘Quiet Peacemakers’.In her own words describing why she un-

dertook the project, Susan said: “The IRAceasefire was announced on August 31, 1995, theday before I started secondary school; I am a child of Northern Irishpeace. Growing up at the top of the OrmeauRoad with parents of a mixed, cross-border marriage, ecu-

menism was a given for me and we werenot exposed to the brutality and pain of

the Troubles. My mother suggested that I con-

tinue a series that had begun with apainting of Fr. Gerry Reynolds (a familyfriend) by painting some of the other individuals who were, and are, continually committed to working quietlyand steadily in the background to facili-tate peace and

reconciliation. As one person led me to

another by word of mouth, I found myself on ajourney of discovery from the early years of the

Troubles right up to the present – and future –of peacemaking. The subjects range fromChurch leaders such as Fr Alec Reid, Rev. KenNewell, Sr. Anna and Sr. Margaret Rose ofDrumalis; to those currently employed full-time in community relations for example Chris O’Halloran of Belfast Interface Project and Debbie Watters of Alterna-tives for Restorative Justice.

I can not claim that this collection is a com-prehensive representation; these portraits are a

tiny snapshot, an impression of the many ‘unknowns.’

For practical reasons I imposed my own reason-able limit of 34 Belfast-based portraits.

I undertook this venture to pay homage to thesubjects and celebrate them in the best way I knowhow: through art.

VIEW is delighted to show a selection of the paintings from page 15 topage 19

Website: viewdigital.org

Susan adds another string

to her bow with art collection

VIEW, issue 24, 2014


Susan adds another string

to her bow with art collection

The late Inez McCormack became active in the Northern Ireland Civil Rights movementin the late 1960s and went onto become the Regional Secretary of UNISON NorthernIreland. In 2006, she founded the Participation and Practice of Rights (PPR) organisation


Roisin McGlone is the chief executive officer of Interaction Belfast, an organisation that developsboth inter-community and inter-agency dialogue and relationship building. Roisin has workedclosely with the police and republican and loyalist ex-combatants


Rob Fairmichael, cyclist, gardener, and bog wood carver, has lived in Belfast since 1975. He hasbeen engaged in peace journalism since 1974, and currently edits publications for INNATE(Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training and Education)


After her husband’s death in 1991, Pauline Hegney, along with five other widows who had lost theirhusbands to violence, and three church leaders, began the organisation Widows Against ViolenceEmpowered (WAVE)


Debbie Watters lives and works in North Belfast. She has been involved in the areas of justicework, peace building, and conflict transformation for the past 20 years, both in the United Statesand in Northern Ireland


One of the first dogs to cross over the

new Sam Thompson bridge in Belfast.

The bridge, which was named after the

playweight who was best known for his

play Over the Bridge, which exposes

sectarianism, was part funded by the

Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks

programme,

If you would like your community/

voluntary organisation to be selected

for The Big Picture in the next issue of

VIEW, send images, marked ‘Big Picture

entry’ to [email protected]

The Big Picture


Looking forward to a day at the races, PR and fashion guru Cathy Martin joins three-year-old Kinley Brownat Mencap’s Segal House Nursery in Belfast for a playdate to officially launch Mencap’s annual Race Daythat will take place at Down Royal on June 20, 2014, to raise funds for the learning disability charity. Ticketsare £100 per person and tables seat ten. Larger parties can be catered for. For further details about theevent, email [email protected]

CHECK OUT OUR MASTERCLASSES

WWW.VIEWDIGITAL.ORG

VIEWdigital holds media training workshops at Cromac Regeneration Initiative (CRI) Belfast

For further details, contact ValentinaMango at 07761 486585 or email herat [email protected]

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