Family Ministry

Family Enrichment Centre, Stranorlar
Orana
Springwell
Arbour House

Family Enrichment Centre, Stranorlar

The Family Enrichment Centre was established by the Mercy Order in late 1996, having identified the major pressures experienced by modern day families. The order made a commitment to establish family support units and, since 1996 was the International Year of the Family, this was felt to be an appropriate time to make a response in the Finn Valley area.

The Family Enrichment Centre is a place of welcome for individuals from across the community, and the services provided enable clients to experience more creative living in a stress-free environment.

Types of Services

• Individual and Family Counselling
• Alternative Therapies, eg Reflexology, Reiki and Massage
• Modules of Personal Development, Basic Counselling Skills, Parenting, Conflict Management, Team Work Programme
• One-day (or weekend) seminars on Reiki Training, Enneagram, Developing your Emotional Experience, Women Alive
• Support programmes including:

  Actively retired programme
  Rainbows Programme for children who have been bereaved by separation or death
  Grow - for those feeling the pressures of everyday life
  Carers Programmes, in conjunction with Dergfinn Partnership
  Reflection Days
  Prayer Guidance Training

• The Centre Co-ordinates the DQLA programme of the North Western Health Board (NWHB). This programme focuses on substance misuse in the local community
• Euro Parent is a new initiative by the NWHB which addresses issues of alcohol and drug misuse
• Yoga, for the relief of stress in everyday life
• Workshops on Caring for our Environment
• Programmes of "Time Out for ... teachers, Health Board staff and carers". This includes various holistic programmes, ie Yoga, reflexology, massage, Tai Chi, time management and Looking at Healthy Eating.

The Centre operates Monday-Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm. (Please leave message on answerphone if you call out of hours.) Brochures with full details are available from the Centre and programmes are adjusted regularly in response to demand for services. In order to maintain the Centre there is a fee structure in place which aims to offer an affordable service to all. However the Centre is sometimes hired by other groups, and in this case we have no control over prices.

There is a very attractive Oratory which can be availed of for quiet space.

Contact: Sr Anne McLoone
Telephone no: 028 85548127
Email: fecentre@eircom.net

Orana Complex, Newry

The Sisters of Mercy have provided a range of residential and community services in the Newry area for a period of c 170 years. Until 1997 it provided children's residential services at a modern complex on the outskirts of the town. October 1999 saw the opening of the first phase of an exciting cross-border, cross-community Centre offering a wide range of support services to children and parents in the Newry and Mourne area.

Orana Family Support Centre

Orana Family Support Centre is located in the original premises previously known as 'Orana Children's Home'. This is a large, modern 2-storey building with extensive grounds providing excellent opportunities for a range of play activities. There is also a small unit for children with disabilities which is fully integrated with the Family Support Centre: domiciliary support services are also provided for these children and their families. The site is situated close to schools, health centre, housing estates/developments and social services office. The Centre is wholly cross-community, and continues to work actively to ensure the inclusion of all sections of the community.

The geographic areas being served are among the most deprived communities within the Newry & Mourne HSST area. The proximity of the Centre to the Republic of Ireland creates the future potential of a North/South perspective.

Current Services

The Centre's core services include:

• 12-place Day Nursery for children aged 6 weeks up to 4th birthday
• 24-place after-school club and summer scheme
• 16-place breakfast club
• Rainbow Day Nursery, catering for children with special needs
• Parent/Toddler Group/Life Long Learning Programmes
• Multi-sensory room
• Respite Care Centre - registered for 4 residential places

Orana Surestart Programme

A Surestart programme is also based in the Centre and the facilities offered here include:

• Parenting programmes
• Toy library
• Multi-sensory room
• Individual family work to outreach family support service.

There are 10 partners working together to deliver an integrated, non-stigmatised and holistic service to children and families.

Wraparound Project

The Centre has recently been awarded funding from DHSSPS' Executive Programme Fund to offer a Wraparound Service - a service to children with a disability (diagnostic, respite and support service)

The Centre is subject to Registration and Inspection on a regular basis.

PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION

Contact: Jenny McDaid, Director
Sr Frances Connolly, Deputy Director
Sr Aine McGoldrick, Administration

Tel: 028 85548127

Email: familyservices@oranafamilycentre.fsnet.co.uk

Springwell Centre

Springwell Family Centre, based at Edward Street, Lurgan, was founded in 1993. It aims to enhance personal growth, family life and community development.

The Centre's management, staff and users share a vision of a world where the giftedness of each individual woman and man is recognised and celebrated ... a world where parents and children live in mutual respect ... a world where each individual has the opportunity to explore and develop what is hidden in him/herself ... a world characterised by equity among people ... a world which nurtures harmony with self, family, others, nature and God.

The Aims of the Centre

• To provide opportunities for family enrichment
• To provide preventative support for vulnerable families
• To provide opportunities for enhancing self-esteem and self-confidence by deepening awareness, understanding and appreciation of one's own resources
• To empower individuals and communities to address issues of concern to them in their physical and social environment.

Springwell is managed by one Mercy Sister and a committee of past and present service users. It employs five paid staff and five volunteers.

The Centre is used by approximately 350 people per year. It provides a holistic approach to family support, designing individual development plans for each service user.

The programme at the Centre consists of personal development courses; basic adult education including literacy, numeracy, computer skills, first aid; parenting support programmes and systemic family therapy.

Contact: Sr Philomena Horner
Tel 028 85548127

Arbour House

Arbour House is a small-scale voluntary project set up to provide weekend and summer holiday respite for young adults with a Learning Disability. This also provides the opportunity for a well-earned break for parents and siblings.

The project, which began in October 19th 1991, operates successfully with the help of volunteers from all walks of life and all denominations. The house has a strong Christian ethos based on the philosophy of Jean Vanier.

The house itself is small, providing a warm homely atmosphere and serves as a bridge between the guests' homes and possible long term care. The building is the property of the Sisters of Mercy but is entirely dependent on voluntary funding for running costs.

Sr Anna Maria Crawford is the manager of the house and she is assisted by Sr Fiona Galligan, a very committed lay core community, and the group of lay volunteers.

Contact: Sr Anna Maria Crawford
Email: mercynth.province@btinternet.com