European Commission Director visits Cedar

Wednesday 13 June 2012

The Cedar Foundation welcomed Peter Stub Jorgensen, DG Employment Director at the European Commission, to our Training and Resource Centre at Balmoral in South Belfast. Mr Stub Jorgensen was then given the opportunity to hear about the impact of Cedar projects which are financed by the European Social Fund.

Mr Stub Jorgensen took time out in advance of the ESF exhibition in the Titanic Signature Building to visit two Northern Ireland charities, one of which was Cedar.

At Balmoral Mr Stub Jorgensen met with Cedar Staff and Service Users and gained an insight into the work of Cedar’s Transitions, Brain Injury, & Vocational and Employability Services through individuals sharing their own experiences and explaining how Cedar has impacted their lives.

David Doherty spoke about the support he has received from Cedar’s Transitions Programme in moving from school onto college. David has a keen interest in sport and through Cedar undertook work experience at the Irish Football Association. Cedar supported David to attend college open days and met with course tutors and learning support. David is now at South Eastern Regional College enjoying a sport studies course.

Paula Moreland-McCormick told the Commission Director about how Cedar supported her through her Open University degree in Health and Social Welfare and attending an evening course at college in Teaching and Learning Support in Schools. Paula has now achieved her dream of working with children with disabilities, through a classroom support placement at Fleming Fulton School.

Cedar’s Chief Executive, Stephen Mathews said, “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome Mr Stub Jorgensen to Cedar and to be able to showcase our work to the decision makers in the European Social Fund. Everything Cedar does is person centred and we believe that our Service Users are our best spokespeople as was proved today. Thank you to those who shared their stories.”