Like most of us I am saturated in the despair for the people of Ukraine, the impotence of frustration what to say what to do how to help. The experiences we’re being told of mainly by residents of Kiev although today throughout the country, the attempts to escape to safety, men driving their families to borders then turning round to return to help defend their homeland. Can you imagine saying goodbye to your children not knowing if you’ll ever see them again. Knowing you’re leaving women with no support amongst the many thousands trying to get away from the war. It must be terrible. Mobile phones running out of charge and no where to plug in, probably no chance of buying the necessities, nappies for babies, sanitary items, necessary medication and no toilets nearby. Like Afghanistan a few months ago, there are women about to give birth, the elderly men and women who find it difficult to get around at the best of time. It’s unimaginable and it’s unacceptable but what will be done to stop this carnage? Putin seems unstoppable, will sections make any difference? Every morning brings new and terrible news.
Ireland has officially lifted its Visa requirements for Ukrainians travelling to Ireland and allowing free telephone calls to families in Ukraine. So many people and organisations doing what they can and it would seem, a international attempt to isolate Putin and his cohorts.
What a difference a week can make. This time last Sunday I was looking forward to having lunch with my husband at CoCo restaurant in Linenhall Street. Booked for one o’clock it was a delight to walk into this graceful setting, perfect lighting I reckon, each table highlighted with the light falling onto a yellow rose. Raunchy art work in rich colours and ginger beer. So few places stock this so it’s always a big plus in my life when I find somewhere that does. Ginger ale is insipid in comparison. Great menu, (all the bread is made in the kitchen including the tasty Japanese bread) sympathetic vegetarian/vegan choice, great prices and great experience. There’s a continental air about the place, families with children, couples catching up on Valentine’s Day and not a suit in sight. Relaxed, a buzz of conversation and in the distant background the strains of excellent modern jazz. Recommended especially for Sunday lunch.
If ever you doubted the importance of trades unions a fine example of their caring and influence has been seen over the last few weeks. They rallied to support the women of Regina Coeli hostel in West Belfast and kept the situation in the news. Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl joined in the peaceful protests. “It’s outrageous. They’re extremely vulnerable women in the only women-only homeless hostel in the city, they’ve been treated abominably.”
The hostel is run by a volunteer management team and they announced in November that the building needed £500,000 spent on repairs and had to close. Six staff were suspended but such was their concern for the residents, homeless women needing addiction and mental health support, they defied the order and legal papers were served.
At the forefront, Unite the Union: “It’s a vital service. Especially at a time when domestic abuse and femicide in the North are at the rate they’re at, we should be focusing on retaining services like this and investing in them, not shutting them down.” Members of the National Union of Journalists were vocal in their support and visited the hostel, all this activity drew backing from other organisations. At the time of writing there is no conclusion to this heartless decision, however, the distress and the bullyboy tactics over the last months are bound to have a long term effect.
HELP WHERE HELP IS NEEDED MOST
You may not be aware of the Community Foundation here in Northern Ireland but the chances are you will have benefited from their work. This is an independent grant giving organisation distributing grants to hundreds of charities thanks to funds set up by donors. And they have a new woman at the helm.
Chief Executive Roisin Wood, from Co. Down, worked with the Foundation several years ago before moving to London to become CEO for the `Kick It Out’ campaign which, at the time, was mainly focused on racism in football but expanded to tackle all forms of discrimination and build a more inclusive environment within the game. A huge challenge for this Liverpool fan but with a combination of education programmes, scholarships, mentoring Initiatives and working with supporters as well as stewarding the situation she feels there is an improvement in the situation. “A tribal thing and taking away a season ticket has an impact but sadly so many choose to hid behind on-line abuse and that is more difficult to address.” The disrupters get the publicity however there are thousands of true fans wanting to enjoy their sport in safety. Roisin feels young supporters are the hope for the future.
“Young people are informed, interested in the big issues like climate change, mental illness and social inclusion and they are often more tolerant and aware of where they are going.”
Today her concern is for the Foundation and her determination is that it becomes an agile funder, cuts bureaucracy to the minimum, reacts to people’s requirements and makes sure grants are getting to the heart of the need. And it’s a wide range of projects, funding is supporting the wellbeing of the community in Northern Ireland be it environmental, traditional crafts, community centres or refugee families and the homelessness, one area of immediate concern. Working through groups representing their local community the money filters down to the grass roots fast and efficiently. Thanks to donations from multiple organisations and individuals, spending last year was almost £9 million but the demand is always there be it the vital covid response fund, cancer or mental health, the aim is to act quickly. The local panels within the community have their ear to the ground, they then talk with Community Foundation and if the project meets the criteria the wheels will begin to move.
In 2017 local businessman Mervyn McCall set up a £500,000 foundation thanks to his own life experience.
“Coming from pretty humble beginnings to a successful life I had a lot of help along the way from different people who intervened in ways they didn’t know or realise but it had a big impact on my future.” He wanted to support others on their journey especially the elderly and young people in local areas. “The final piece fell into place following an encounter with Raymond, a Carrick taxi driver who ran a charity golf day every year raising money to help people in the local area. Seeing the impact that £1,000 or £2,000 had on people was immense – it really opened my eyes to how even a small amount of money can make a difference. I read that it was more fun giving while living and I was missing the buzz of making business deals and hoped to get the same buzz helping others. When I came across the Community Foundation they were just perfect for that.”
DIGITAL LANGUAGE
During lockdown the public fell into two halves, those who were au fait with digital communications and those who found it difficult to get their head round a laptop! ‘Digital poverty’ means people are often disadvantaged when they are isolated and in need information or an interest. The Foundation continue to support this need funding basic training for community groups to learn and pass on to others. ‘Techies in Residence’ is an innovation which enables these groups to consult with technology experts and this has for example enabled refugee families to overcome language barriers.
Currently supporting around one person in three of the population, the Foundation makes a point of not assuming what is needed, they ask the community itself what is needed.
A challenge indeed for Rosin Wood and one she relishes. “To be able to do something for your own country is a great gift especially when you see the difference it can make. Also, having lived in London for 18 years and now living in Bangor means I can walk along the Lough shore which is a delight and keeps my head in the right place.”
Life goes on but our own future is fragile. Suddenly protocol is meaningless to me, covid is something we will manage, and Brexit has faded into the shadows. All will have to be dealt with but at the moment Ukraine is top of the agenda. I hope praying for these brave people and for positive news will be effective.
I was sent this during the week. I hope this little story will make you smile at a time where there isn’t a lot to smile about.
SEX AFTER DEATH
A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform the other if there is sex after death. Their biggest fear was that there was no after life at all. After a long life together, the husband was the first to die. True to his word, he made the first contact: ” Marion …. Marion ” “Is that you, Bob?” “Yes, I’ve come back like we agreed.” “That’s wonderful! What’s it like?”
“Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex. I have breakfast and then it’s off to the golf course. I have sex again, bathe in the warm sun and then have sex a couple of more times. Then I have lunch (you’d be proud – lots of greens). Another romp around the golf course, then pretty much have sex the rest of the afternoon. After supper, it’s back to the golf course again. Then it’s more sex until late at night. I catch some much needed sleep and then the next day it starts all over again”
“Oh, Bob! Are you in Heaven?”
“No — I’m a rabbit in Portrush!’
