about us

• Cornerstone Community
• Currach Community
• Springfield Road Methodist Church 
• Mid Spring Residents Association (MISRA)

The partnership between these four groups had developed over a period of years. All parties involved were and are committed to working in a cross community basis to build relationships of trust and understanding in what is a highly segregated and sectarian interface.

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 1. New Volunteers Arrive

Forthspring’s new international volunteers have arrived.

Lena Marek has arrived from Müllheim in  Germany, a small town close to the Black Forest.  Lena is the EIRENE volunteer and is living and working in Cornerstone Community as well as working in Springers, Forthspring’s afterschool club and in the youth club.

Becky has arrived from Cincinnati in USA, a city in Ohio.  Becky is a Brethen Volunteer Services volunteer with Forthspring and is living locally in the Currach Community with Sister Bridget and Myra.  Becky is working with Springers and the Youth Club and also supporting the Good Relations Project.

 

2. Boxercise Classes Begin

Working in partnership with The National Task Force, a government initiative to build safer communities across the UK, Forthspring is running a year long Boxercise programme.  Boxercise combines boxing and exercise and is a fun, stress busting activity to suit everyone.   Its proving very popular.  Each week up to 20 young women take part.  The participants say that they get the opportunity to meet other young mothers and the programme has encouraged some who are mothers to get more involved in exercise with their own kids.

 

3. Consultative Group on the Past response

Forthspring responded to the consultation on “Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland: The Recommendations of the Consultative Group on the Past.”  A copy of the  response is attached.  As an organisation working on a major interface,  Fortshpring recognises  the enormous difficulties and challenges in dealing with the past.  However,  we  firmly believe we, as a society, do not actively seek to build a shared future we will remain divided and locked into the divisions of the past, paying the inevitable social and economic costs.

 

4. Springers Halloween Week

For the Halloween half term Springers is running an activity week – a week of activities and trips to amuse and entertain children during the school holidays.  The cost is £10 per day and places are limited.  To register or for more information contact Siona on 90313945.

 

5. WEA Computer Class

In partnership with the adult education provider, WEA, Forthspring is running computer classes each Monday morning.  The classes are aimed at getting participants up and running with computers and the internet.  Although the classes have been running for a couple of weeks it is still possible to join in.  Anyone interested should contact Maria on 90313945.

 

6.  Planning Your Future Project

The first stage of the Belfast City Council  funded ‘Planning Your Future’ project is coming to an end.  Participants have been exploring local issues including employment, housing and health and working on how to successfully influence change and lobby for regeneration strategies that meet the needs of local people.  The next stage of the project will move on to examining the impact of division locally and the future of the peacewalls.

Funders and Supporters

An Munie Tober
Ashworth Charitable Trust
Awards for All
BBC Children in Need
Belfast City Council
Belfast Education and Library Board
Belfast Interface Project
Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS)
Challenge for Youth
Community Dialogue
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
Community Relations Council
Community Volunteering Scheme (DSD)
Corrymeela Community
Department of Education
EIRENE (Germany)
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
General Board of Global Ministries
IDJE (Germany)
Indian Community Centre
Interface Residents Group
International Fund for Ireland
John Moore’s Foundation
Lloyds TSB Foundation
Methodist Home Mission Department
North and West Health and Social Services Trust
Playboard
Providence Institute for the Study and Practice of Non Violence
Springboard
Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George
St Luke’s United Methodist Church, Orlando
St Sarkis
The Barrow Cadbury Trust
The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
The Childhood Fund
The Joseph Rank Foundation
Ulster Garden Villages
Victoria Homes Trust
Voluntary Service Bureau
Volunteer Development Agency
Women Caring Trust
Youth Action NI
Youthlink
Youthnet