FAMILY CARING CENTRE
OVERVIEW
Background
The Family Caring Centre was established in Rathenraw, Antrim in 1985. Its purpose was to provide training, information, advice and childcare services to families in the area who were suffering from social deprivation as a result of deteriorating housing and high unemployment. The Centre has been successfully providing this support through a range of services which have been continuously developed over the years as a response to the changing needs. Today, over 250 families benefit from the range of services that are currently provided.
It is impossible to measure the huge positive social impact the Family Caring Centre has had in the local community over the years. We have certainly contributed to building social capacity within our work with residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds
All potential employees and volunteers may be subject to Access NI checks before employment can commence and this is then followed by an induction program.
Vision
The Family Caring Centre has a continuing vision that the district of Antrim will be an attractive place to live, visit and work in. It will have a strong community spirit underpinned by family structures which support members to aspire and achieve. Families will actively choose to live in the area, which will continue to be socially and economically regenerated.
Mission Statement
“The Family Caring Centre is a voluntary organisation providing a range of services in a friendly and supportive environment to families and individuals”.
Summary of Current Services
This is a Telephone Support & Alert Befriending service, which has been in operation since April 2008. The service aims to reduce the feelings of fear and isolation felt by the elderly and other vulnerable members of our community building on social inclusion and building local, social capacity. This is achieved by contacting each person via telephone, on agreed week-days at a pre-arranged time.
This project is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA).
Our Mental Health Support Group works on the core principles of support, acceptance and understanding and are provided through a holistic programme of alternative therapies and activities.
This program is funded by NHSCT.
Our Depression Support Group meets on a Thursday morning 9.30-11am and available to all in the local community, including residents living in Crumlin, Templepatrick, Parkgate, Antrim, Randalstown and Toome. Supported by Aware NI, the group is hosted by trained Facilitators in a safe, respectful and confidential environment. Anyone experiencing depression currently, or in the past, and feel they might benefit from talking about how they are feeling can join the group.
The Learning Zone advocates for 'Learning for the Whole Family,' motivating adults to engage in lifelong learning via Information and Communication Technology (ICT). We offer a variety of courses tailored to both individuals and businesses. Our courses are available throughout the year, and each class is limited to eight or fewer students to ensure a personalised experience.
Runs every Tuesday from 10.30 to 12 noon,
Additional information:
Accommodation is provided for counsellors from organisation’s such as Nexus to meet with clients in a safe, comfortable and confidential environment.
We also support supervised ‘Child Contact’ meetings on behalf of NHSCT ‘Children with Disabilities’ and Looked After Children’s Teams. We provide space for other local charities to meet, including The Shed and Antrim Foodbank.
ANTRIM FOODBANK
HELPING PEOPLE IN CRISIS
From Monday 9th May 2022, Antrim Foodbank will provide evening session 5-7pm hosted by the Family Caring Centre whereby food parcels can be collected out of the usual hours. Antrim Foodbank provides emergency food and support to people in crisis, through our referral agents.
‘The kettle is always on and we have time to listen, pray for you if you would like, and arrange for other professional help and advice including counselling, advocacy, debt advice, budgeting, and housing support - all within a friendly, relaxing environment’.
Oasis Antrim Community Support Hub
10d High Street
Antrim
BT41 4AN
info@antrim.foodbank.org.uk Telephone: 028 9454 8555
Antrim Foodbank is run in partnership with local churches and facilitated by Oasis – Caring in Action, a Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC100881) · Registered Office: 81-83 Castlereagh Street, Belfast BT5 4NF
TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP BUILD A #HUNGERFREEFUTURE
The Ladies @The Shed
The Ladies @The Shed meet Monday to Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, welcoming both existing and new members.
The Ladies Shed is more than just a space; it's a place to forge new friendships, delve into craftwork, share or learn skills, or simply enjoy the company of other women. Our members have the freedom to choose their activities, with participation always optional. All women aged 18 and above are warmly welcomed.
Why not reach out to us via our Facebook page 'The Shed, Antrim'
Alternatively, our email address is ladies@theshedantrim.org and our phone number is 07754741158.
Come along and join us - everyone is welcome!
Views of stakeholders:
How do you benefit from attending the Family Caring Centre?
- it gets me out of the house, ideas for new hobbies, helps with my self-confidence l, keeps me occupied, everyone is so non-judgemental.
-gets me out and about as I live alone, meeting new people and having a good chat
-being able to go out on my own, the ladies are just so positive and make a bad day good.
-chatting, company, making things, getting out and about.
-meeting people my own age, learning new skills and good company.
What do you enjoy doing?
-chatting, crotchet, arts and crafts
-crotchet, bingo, flower arranging, positivity board
-I love it all
-crotchet, arts and crafts, quizzes
-painting
How are you finding the activities and is there anything we could try or change?
-more adult activities
-computers and basic skills
-would love to attend more than once a week
-gardening and pottery
1-5 Somerset Park
Antrim
BT41 2TE
Tel: 02894 464619