News

So Go For It! With The Cedar Foundation

Date Posted: Monday 05 April 2004

Hidden away in a small corner of South Belfast is an innovative and unique project called "So Go For It!", run by physical disability charity The Cedar Foundation. The programme, in the Morton Community Centre, brings together people who have a physical disability with volunteers from the community who give a few hours of their time per week to the project.

The Cedar Foundation's latest venture with the "So For It Project!" is Environmental Art, run in conjunction with Therese Pollock and Luis Martinez from Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland. Each Tuesday morning for the last 8 weeks service users with The Cedar Foundation and community volunteers have been creating beautiful mosaics . When the project finishes, this week is the final one, nearly 15 mosaics, both large and small, will have been made. Designs range from brightly coloured mosaics of animals, trees and houses to more elaborate rugby crests and door plaques.

The project has been a great way for people to get to know one another. Diana Browne, a service user with The Cedar Foundation explains more:

"We've been working on mosaics. I never thought mosaics would be so easy to make with a bit of training, and they are beautiful, too. It was difficult to start, but you get used to it. It has been very good working with Peggy, and especially with her wee boy. If I were able-bodied I would be a child's nurse. I will miss coming along and chatting to people and making friends"

Peggy, a volunteer on the So Go For It programme is doing a 4 year degree in Health and Social Care, and this experience has contributed to her coursework and development. She has been able to bring her infant son with her, and he has added immensely to the morning''s . She adds:

"Every week I look forward to Tuesdays when I am able to chat, share, work with and help people. I feel like I belong here."

The Cedar Foundation works in partnership with people with physical disability throughout Northern Ireland. We develop and deliver services that promote choice, opportunity, independence and equality. To find out more please contact Marie McKenna on 028 9062 4372 or e-mail: m.mckenna@cedar-foundation.org.

Ends..

For more press information contact

Gayle Campbell
PR Officer
The Cedar Foundation
31 Ulsterville Avenue
Belfast BT9 7AS
Tel: 028 9066 6188 or e-mail: g.campbell@cedar-foundation.org

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