SPRINGBOARD LAUNCHES INSPIRATION AWARDS TO MARK UN PEACE DAY - Friday 27th August

Springboard launches the inaugural Inspiration Awards on 21st September 2010 to mark UN International Day of Peace.  Created to acknowledge positive role models and their inspirational influence on others, the awards are being presented to successful recipients by Belfast’s Lord Mayor in City Hall on 21st September 2010.  ‘The awards were created to develop a positive spirit for our society and acknowledge those whose stories have and can influence people from all walks of life’, said Angila Chada, Springboard’s Executive Director. She went on ‘Holding the award ceremony on UN Peace Day is also significant, as we celebrate and reflect our continuing journey to peace and fostering a community where difference and diversity are seen and valued as an asset’.

Exciting times ahead for Springboard as new set of programmes start

PRESS RELEASE- Wednesday 4th August 2010

It’s that great time of year again when Springboard programmes get underway. With three programmes having started and another three preparing to go it is all go in the Springboard office.

Its always a great time when the staff get to meet another set of 21 young people who have grasped this exhilarating opportunity to develop themselves.

Programmes that have started already, include Trades, Options and Sports with other stimulating programmes such as Alternative Directions, Directions and Choices still to get going.

These programmes are offering young people the chance of a lifetime to not only gain qualifications and training in Belfast but to get the fantastic opportunity to travel to Lunenburg, Vancouver, Kitchener, Montreal and London.

Peace Day unites young people and NI emergency services

PRESS RELEASE- Friday 11th June 2010

The River Lagan was a spectacular sight yesterday with over 100 people gathering to watch the first ever Dragon Boat Race between young people from the greater Belfast and Dublin areas competing against Northern Irelands Emergency Services. The participants and spectators alike soaked up some of Belfast’s rare sunshine to celebrate the launch of Springboards 2010 Peace Day Campaign. The Lagan Water Sports centre set the scene for what turned out to be an exciting competitive fun day of races. The climax of the day was the thrilling race between the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service against the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), one has to give it to the PSNI team who were very deserving winners on the day, although we all should give credit to all who participated and put on a good show. Springboard’s Marketing and Recruitment Manager Paula Quinn stated ‘We could not have asked for a better way to start the Peace Day Campaign, this was a great way to show that people from all sectors of society can come together and have fun’

This event kick started Springboards 2010 Peace Day Campaign, which will be followed by many other exciting events opened to all through out the year.

1/6/10

Race for Peace

Springboard Opportunities Ltd is hoping to set a precedent with their upcoming Dragon Boat Race.  For those attending this event it will be an unfamiliar scene, it’s not often that you would see 60 young people aged between 18- 28 working closely with the emergency services. This event is the climax to the Emergency Services Programme where young people from north and south of the boarder trained and gained work experience in the emergency service sector.

24/05/10

Executive Director addresses Peace III Conference – 20 May 2010

Angila Chada, Springboard’s Executive Director, addressed delegates at the Peace III conference in the Waterfront Hall, on behalf of the Belfast City Councils’ Good Relationship Partnership.  The conference was being held to mark the mid way point of the current Peace III Programme and help celebrate its success.  In her speech, Angila Chada drew attention to the diverse range of intervention programmes being delivered across Belfast.  While she recognised much had been achieved to date, there were still challenges to be met and she underlined the commitment of the Good Relations Partnership to the Belfast Action Plan.

10/5/10

Immigrants across Europe experience similar barriers to employment

PRESS RELEASE : Monday 10 May 2010

More than two-fifths of young immigrants who took part in a survey in five European countries, feel they are employed in a job that does not reflect their qualifications, according to research conducted by an EU-funded project.

The survey was conducted in Italy, Ireland, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom amongst migrants aged 18 to 30, as part of the Pathways to Work project, Charmaine McBride from Springboard Opportunities Limited, said today.

“Interestingly, the report found that there was no significant difference in the experiences of immigrants across the five countries, that they all perceived similar barriers,” Ms McBride said.

“The young immigrants who took part in the surveys identified some of the barriers they encountered as competition, bureaucratic procedures, recognition of qualifications, individual expectations, communications and social skills and access to information on workers’ rights.”

The project has conducted focus group interviews of 10 young immigrants in each country and questionnaire surveys of 186 people.

The immigrants involved all expressed a need for and interest in training programmes and indicated that they believed appropriate training would help them upgrade their employment level. Participants also perceived training as a lifelong process and as a way to develop their careers and sustain employment.

Of the questionnaire respondents:

•          69% expressed an interest in undertaking training for career purposes

•          over 50% of participants had undertaken training previously

•          70% were in employment with 45% in full-time employment.

Partners in the Pathways to Work project are: Springboard Opportunities Limited, UK, Conform Consorzio Formazione Manageriale, Italy; the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Ireland; Fundacion Laboral del Metal, Spain; the University of Szczecin, Poland; and Canice Consulting, UK, while Athens-based iRed Institute for Rights Equality and Diversity is an associate partner.

Notes to Editors

1.              Pathways to Work, an employment upgrade training programme for young immigrants – is an exciting partnership led by Springboard Opportunities Limited in Belfast.  The EU wide two year project will help young immigrants to overcome barriers and ‘upgrade’ their employment level by developing a training resource that is in a blended learning format with an integrated, multilingual e-learning website. The project is funded by the European Commission through the Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation programme.

2.              Established in 1992, Springboard is a leading organization in the arena of developing capacity and building an appreciation of diversity.

3.           For further information click here or alternatively please call Charmaine McBride on 028 90315111 or by email on projectleader4@springboard-opps.org

15/04/10

Media and Options groups embark on exciting overseas experience

It’s that exciting time again when all Springboard groups get the fantastic opportunity to travel overseas, whether its one week in Poland or eight weeks in Vancouver these visits are an unbelievable experience which embed themselves in everyone’s memory for life. 

This week two groups left Belfast to spend the next two months overseas where they will get the unique opportunity to experience life in Canada. Another group is waiting in anticipation for their departure at the end of the month.

Having already spent one week in Germany the Youth in the Community group are getting ready for a mind blowing visit to Poland to gain an insight into the history of the Holocaust.

15/04/10

Springboard gets ready to launch Peace Day Campaign 2010.

On the back of last years phenomenal success it is not surprising that Springboard can not wait to get the Peace Day campaign started for 2010. In 2009 not only did Springboard hold a sell-out concert at the Ulster Hall with Brian Kennedy headlining but also held a separate event with Belfast’s Lord Mayor Naomi Long as guest speaker.

This years campaign will not disappoint, the countdown to Peace Day will start with a fun day for all on the 10th June where many groups are going to come together to participate in a Dragons Boat Race. Teams already signed up include PSNI, Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade and Springboard Opportunities Ltd to name a few. This will be a great day to either challenge you and participate or have great fun watching others trying to win the race.

If you would like more information regarding the Boat Race or would like to know more about events for 2010 have a look at our website: www.peacedaycampaign.com

28/01/10

Pathways to Work: An Employment Upgrade Training Programme for Young Immigrants

Springboard has joined forces with six other organisations to help young migrants maximise their career potential in their new home countries.

Through the project Pathways to Work: An Employment Upgrade Training Programme for Young Immigrants, the groups will develop a training pack to be used across the EU Member States aimed at facilitating young immigrants’ greater access to training and better jobs.

Funded by the European Commission through the Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation programme, the training pack’s benefits will include fostering a greater understanding of labour market trends and employment rights and promoting the host country’s training opportunities. To find out more you can view the full press release here.

1/6/09

Springboard Executive Director Appointed to Charities Commission

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today unveiled the first ever Charities Commission in Northern Ireland of which Springboards Executive Director Angila Chada has been appointed as a Commissioner

At present there is no register for charities in Northern Ireland. The current system means that there is a lack of transparency, potentially leading to a loss of public confidence.

Now as a result of the first piece of legislation to go through the Assembly, there will be for the first time:

• A clear definition of what is a charity

• A register of all charities operating in Northern Ireland

• A test of what is and isn’t a charity

• A charity regulator – the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

This new body will have considerable powers under the act to regulate, monitor and where required investigate charities.

Speaking at the launch, Margaret Ritchie described it as a red letter day for all charities.

“I would like congratulate charities in Northern Ireland for the sterling work they do, often for very vulnerable people. But the system needs tightened up and overhauled. We need leadership. We need regulation. We need the public to be assured that the money they give is going to go where it should go. The commissioners bring with them an array of skills and experience in the statutory, private and charitable sectors and I am confident that they can make a valuable contribution.”

To find out more about the Charity Commission visit their website here.

20/4/09

What’s new for the Peaceday Campaign?

Springboard has taken on the Peaceday Campaign with overwhelming zeal. Not only are the staff dedicating all their spare time to organising a series of fundraisers they are also organising a concert on Sept 19 to build upon the success of last years event. This years concert will be held in Mandela Hall and it is hoped that it will be attended by over 900 people who are not only united by their love for music but their desire for peace around the globe.

In addition to this the staff are tirelessly working to gain the support of local MLAs in the hope of gaining official recognition in the Assembly on September 21. An event will also be held in Stormont on Sept 21 to mark this special day.

If like Springboard you are passionate about the Peaceday Campaign and would like to show your support, sign up to the campaign by clicking here.  

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20/4/09

Community Relations Week 27th April – 2nd May

We all recognise the role that community relations play in building a sustainable and peaceful society. In response to this many organisations have come together over recent years to hold a succession of events collectively known as Community Relations Week.

With heightened tensions and economic instability this year’s Community Relations Week will play a vital role in developing our communities. This year’s theme will concentrate on the interdependence of community relations work, stability and the economy.

Many events are taking place across the province to find out more about what is happening in your area go to http://www.nicrc.org.uk/about-the-council/background-info/community-relations-week/

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04/06/08

Once in a Lifetime Opportunity in Canada, South Africa or Europe.

Apply for a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Springboard’s Wider Horizons programmes are now open for applications. Are you interested in gaining experience overseas and going the journey of lifetime? There are exciting opportunities just for you, starting between July and September 2008.

• Would you like to gain experience of the sports or leisure industry? Then apply for our Leisure Services programme, this 19-week programme includes an 8-week work placement in Montreal, Canada.

• Perhaps you want to find work in childcare or community care, get experience on our Options in Care programme, this is a 19-week programme that includes an 8-week work placement in Kitchener, Canada.

• Why not gain work experience in Cape Town, South Africa? This 18-week programme is for you if you are interested in gaining experience in construction skills. The programme includes a 5-week in Cape Town.

• Maybe you’re not sure what type of work you want in the future, why not try our 15 week Directions programme which includes a study visit to Germany.

• If you see yourself acting, dancing or street performing or want to work in technical support or creative writing, apply for our 15-week Performing Arts programme. The programme includes a visit to the entertainments centre of the world – London, where you will go behind the scenes in the BBC and the West End.

To apply for any of Springboard’s Wider Horizons programmes, telephone our Recruitment and Marketing Officer, Paula Quinn on 02890315111 or email her on paula@springboard-opps.org

04/06/08

Belfast Peace Day Concert

On Sunday 21 September 2008, Springboard is holding a PEACE DAY CONCERT IN BELFAST as part of their Peace Day Campaign. The campaign, the first of its’ kind, raises awareness of the annual UN International Day of Peace and the concert is the centerpiece in creating a major talking point about this international day of ceasefire and non-violence.

The unique event will be held in the heart of Belfast in the historic Cathedral Quarter at the Oh Yeah Building. The day will be filled with funky and exciting music, as well as dance and a range of community arts activities such as a DJ master class by Beat ‘n Track, for the audience of children, families, young and old and music lovers alike. Bands signed up to date include The Rusty Shacklefords, Olympic Lifts, Skruff.

09/05/08

Belfast-Hosted International Conference a Success

As the dust has settled on a busy week in Belfast, it is clear that the city has played host to a number of very special gatherings. As the US:NI Investment Conference considered future economic opportunities for Northern Ireland, a unique summit marking the anniversary of devolution brought together organisations and individuals with one common goal; peacebuilding.

Peacebuilders from across the world came to Belfast to share their perspectives, practice and experience of the challenges of peacebuilding at the Springboard-managed "Global Peacebuilders Conference," over the 6th and 7th of May. Clearly some of the international delegates brought more than just luggage and passports with them, as Belfast was treated some of the best weather it has seen for some time. Fortunately, this uncharacteristically good weather would not be squandered as many delegates were taken on an enlightening and thought provoking tour of the city's Falls and Shankill roads and heard presentations by groups from two sites of peacebuilding on the 6th.

The turnout at the summit at the Europa Hotel Belfast on the 7th was unprecedented, with delegates making the journey from across Belfast and the island as a whole, the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Pacific, and North America to attend and establish new partnerships for their peacebuilding work. As local MLAs were taking time to sell Northern Ireland as a real opportunity for business investment, peacebuilding delegates took part in a full day's programme at the Europa Hotel Belfast. This included keynote speeches, a Question Time-style panel, workshops and a high energy closing celebration led by The Motion Project - a multi-cultural music collective based in Northern Ireland.

First impressions of feedback on the summit have been very positive and hugely constructive for the future, and there are already a large number of excellent opportunities to develop and build on the comments given by delegates for any future peacebuilder gatherings.

To view the full programme of activities that took place between 6-7 May 2008 as part of the conference, as well as read about the various speakers, workshop facilitators and other contributors that took part, visit www.globalpeacebuilders.org/english/conference.html