News

The Cedar Foundation celebrates success

Date Posted: Wednesday 10 December 2003

Sir George Bain, Vice-Chancellor, Queen's University

More than 70 individuals with physical disabilities and /or brain injury completed their training with The Cedar Foundation this year. To recognise this success the Foundation held a special award ceremony, held in the prestigious surroundings of the Great Hall at Queens University on Wednesday 10th December 2003.

As part of its contribution to the European Year of People with Disabilities, The Cedar Foundation, a voluntary organisation that promotes choice, opportunity, independence and equality for people with physical disabilities throughout Northern Ireland, acknowledged and applauded the achievements of those who were involved in training programmes across the Foundation''s Training Services based in Belfast, Ballymena, North Down & Ards and Lisburn.

All trainee achievers were recognised through the presentation of certificates, summarising all qualifications and skills gained, work experience placements and other achievements realised during their training period by Mr Will Haire, Permanent Secretary, at the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL).

Speaking after the formal presentation ceremony Will Haire paid tribute to the many success stories highlighted by the awards and added:-

"The Cedar Foundation is an example to all voluntary sector organisations, and this year the number and levels of certificates being presented are proof of the hard work and commitment of all concerned. It is particularly appropriate that these achievements are being highlighted during the landmark European Year of People with Disabilities, and I congratulate all the winners, their family members and carers on their sterling work and for the support mechanisms provided during their training programmes."

Awards for exceptional achievements, were presented by Professor Sir George Bain, Vice-Chancellor, Queen''s University, to four individual trainee achievers, who were selected by Training Service Managers following nominations from staff across all training programmes.

Professor Sir George Bain said:

"The Cedar Foundation trainees deserve our warmest congratulations and I am delighted to be taking part in this celebration of their achievements. The Cedar Foundation and Queen''s, which has more than 600 students with disabilities, have much in common, in particular a commitment to the principles of inclusion and equality. At Queen''s we view disability provision as a University-wide responsibility to ensure that students with disabilities have the same student experience as other students."

Cheryl Cromie from Comber won The Commitment Award recognising excellence in education/training and achievement of qualifications. The Challenge Award recognising achievement of individual goals in the face of significant barriers was won by Mark Ballentine from Ballymena. Pamela Rooney from Castlewellan achieved The Employment Award recognising progression to employment and contribution made to employers and the winner of The Community Award recognising benefit provided to community by the individual was Tommy Larmour from Belfast.

Dr Victor Patterson, Chair of The Cedar Foundation added:

"This is a tremendous example of what can be achieved by people with disabilities. As Chairman of The Cedar Foundation I am proud to be here tonight to help recognise the significant achievement of so many of our trainees, their commitment and dedication is an inspiration to us all."

Trainees were supported to gain a range of positive achievements including progression in employment, voluntary work, further training and other socially inclusive activities. In addition, trainee leavers achieved recognised qualifications ranging from pre-vocational and basic level skills through to third level qualifications. Examples of trainee achievement include National Skills Profile, AEB English and Maths, OCR IT qualifications, ECDL, GCSEs, NVQs, GNVQ/ACVEs, A-Levels and HNCs.

The Cedar Foundation Training Services aim to combat the barriers which exclude physically disabled people from mainstream training and employment opportunities. The Services provides participants - people with complex congenital and acquired physical disabilities, including people with brain injury - with customised support to take up training leading to accredited qualifications and enhanced job experience. The support is provided through a range of person-centred programmes which are delivered and co-ordinated from sites across Northern Ireland.

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