Club Participation with YouthAction NI 2016-17
hover over images or click to enlarge and scroll through all Thanks are extended to the Club members who attended - President Ivan, Derek Baxter, Brian Clements, Alvin McKinley, Craig McClelland,Ken Morrisson and Eric Rainey making it another very special Get Set for all of the Young People.
100% of the young people at the latest employer-led skills building workshops held Thursday 17 November said it helped them GET SET for Work. YouthAction NI advise they all said that after it:
Eric Rainey thanks the Club members who attended with him - President Ivan, Derek Baxter, Brian Clements, Alvin McKinley, Craig McClelland and Ken Morrisson making it another very special Get Set for all of the Young People. YouthAction NI also greatly thank all the business partners: The Rotary Club of Belfast, Coca Cola, Phoenix Natural Gas, the Plumb Centre, Belfast Child CIC and also the North Belfast Job Centre and the Careers Service
Marking 10 years of YouthAction being in their city centre hub at College Square North President Rosemary on Monday 24 July met there with CEO June Trimble. The picture on the wall is of Hampton House which was the home of the organisation for almost 40 years. During the visit, she discussed the range of activities currently undertaken by YouthAction and expressed particular interest in the initiatives addressing mental health and well-being.
She invited YouthAction to the Club to update members on the issues being faced by young people at present, together with the experiences of the Alex the Rotary Intern and a practical demonstration of the techniques currently used to support young people. 
During her visit President Rosemary and Walter Rader joined the Rainbow Factory cast of Bugsy Malone rehearsing for this summer’s musical, which will be staged during the week of 14th August. The action-packed song and dance number – “You can be anything you want to be!” had everyone singing along and tapping their feet, but the dancing was left to the cast!
The Club is delighted to again offer a Bursary to YouthAction NI to enable the appointment of a further Intern (Alex, pictured who is considering entering full time Youth Work) Picture shows (from left): Eric Rainey, President Ivan, Prof Anne Marie Gray YouthAction NI Chair, Rotary Intern Alex, Maire Campbell YouthAction NI Artistic Director and Pamela Ballentine YouthAction NI Board member.
Continuing the Club's involvement with the GET SET Programme with YouthAction 2 members provided CV building and interview skills advice at the GET SET Drop In Monday 08 May. The night ended with 3 of the group sitting mock interviews and each were given feed back.
20 Rotarians and partners attended the powerful Gala performance of Domino at YouthAction Headquarters Friday 07 April. 11 young people acted on stage with many more backstage and front of house and the momentous production, which left the audience extremely moved, received a standing ovation from the 60 strong audience. The Club were delighted to host this performance and reception and all proceeds have been passed on to YouthAction NI by President Ivan. More here..
Congratulations to Club nominee Matthew Leonard from Darkley, Co. Armagh who has been awarded a Rotary Young Citizen 2017 Certificate. Matthew is a young man who is a male volunteer with YouthAction NI's Everyday Life Project. For a number of years he has been on a remarkable journey with YouthAction and is a worth recipient of the Certificate which was presented to him on behalf of the Club at YouthAction NI.
In a new venture, a Get Set to Go Skills Day was held for 40 Ulster University Social Policy 2nd year students on Tuesday 25 April at Jordanstown Campus. 7 members - Alan Braithwaite, PP Derek Baxter, PP Brian Clements, Alvin McKinley, PP Ken Morrison, Walter Rader and Eric Rainey - ran 4 interview teams and workshops which were hugely successful. The results of the 'pop up' survey show 100% of students said the skills day:
The students' feedback included: listening to the employers and understanding their perspectives has helped to improve my knowledge of employment and what employers want; I really enjoyed hearing first hand from employers; the interview tips were very beneficial; I enjoyed the group activities as I got the chance to really explore what skills I have; it has given me confidence to strive for my goal; it has increased my awareness of different types of interviews; this was a worthwhile day and very informative; the day was very beneficial-it helped me gain more confidence and awareness of what employers are looking for; I enjoyed the interview session as it showed me what should and shouldn't be done at interview; it was a very good and beneficial experience and I learned a lot about myself-it is not as daunting as I thought; the mock interview was of great value as I got really good feedback as to how to improve myself; a very enjoyable day – everyone was very approachable; it was good to have the interaction with business partners to work on skills and selling yourself. The pictures below show more of their comments.
Gallery
100% of the young people at the latest employer-led skills building workshops held Thursday 17 November said it helped them GET SET for Work.
YouthAction NI advise they all said that after it:
Gallery
hover over images to view or click to enlarge and scroll
President Ivan and 5 Club members attended a YouthAction event Wednesday 03 August. Specifically for their interns and GET SET for Construction young people it aimed to help them improve their CV writing and interview skills with mock interviews. Members were highly impressed by their enthusiasm and positivity.
The 2016 YouthAction GetSet day was held during the morning Thursday 5 May. Thanks to Club Past Presidents Derek Baxter, Brian Clements, Ken Morrison, Hon. Secretary Alvin McKinley and members Karen Blair, Doris Houston and Maryam Sholevar who participated.
It was a really worthwhile morning and as ever Rotary's hands on practical service was delivered with fun and good humour and all of the practical points of advice will be taken on board.
Tracy O'Hare, YouthAction's Work Placement Mentor (pictured far right with Rtn. Maryam Sholevar) says: "thank you for making our GET SET Day another success – We truly appreciate all the support that you have given us as an organisation. Feed back on the day was good from young people and staff and I am delighted to have such a partnership."
RIBI President Peter Davey and his wife Sandra accompanied by District Governor Declan and Pat were highly impressed when, during their visit to Belfast Friday 27 May 2016, they were introduced to YouthAction NI staff and interns by President Ronnie & Elma Porter, Secretary Alvin McKinley, Past President Brian Clements and Eric Rainey and heard about the joint collaboration. 
The Club are delighted to again offer a Bursary to YouthAction NI to enable the appointment of an apprentice. This year's Club YouthAction apprentice is Finance Intern Amy Garner, pictured here with President Ronnie. She was introduced to the Club at the YouthAction NI GetSet meeting for current and new Business Partners 12 April 2016 and we are delighted to report that as of September 2016 she has secured a job as a receptionist. Amy is delighted as are YouthAction and they thank the Club for all the support in making the placements possible.
President Ronnie, Secretary Alvin, Walter Rader, Eric Rainey, Doris Houston, Trevor Hinds and (not pictured) Derek Baxter and Maurice Brooks attended the very successful YouthAction NI GetSet meeting for current and new Business Partners 12 April, also pictured is Dr Anne Marie Gray, Youth Action Chair.
YouthAction are delighted to report the very good news that Johnny O' Dwyer "has secured a job with the BBC and started his new job as Customer Service Agent on 11 January". Johnny is the YouthAction NI intern sponsored by the Club; he is one of the first beneficiaries of the trainee programme and spoke to the Club meeting, with YouthAction , 6 July last year.