Month: June 2023

Get Hosed Down: National Car Wash Set To Take Place This Weekend For The Fire Fighters Charity

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Make a splash at your local fire station!

Washing the car is far from anybody’s favourite job, so take the hassle out of it and head down to your local fire station for the National Car Wash.

On Saturday, June 10, trainee firefighters from NIFRS will be on hand to make your car sparkle, with all donations received contributing towards The Fire Fighters Charity, a non-profit who provide support and rehabilitation to the fire and rescue community.

Hosted across the United Kingdom, Northern Irish locals can take their car to the NIFRS Learning & Development Centre, Boucher Crescent in the heart of Belfast to be washed, benefitting from the cleanliness of your vehicle and being for a great cause.

Firefighting is a life-threatening career that can often be dangerous, stressful and traumatic, sometimes leaving injured firefighters unable to work for months.

Dealing with life or death situations every day also takes its toll emotionally too, with a recent rise in mental health problems amongst the front-line force leading to increased attention in helping workers recuperate after a hard day’s work.

The Fire Fighters Charity has been supporting the fire services community for 75 years, starting by supporting bereaved families of firefighters killed during the Blitz before evolving into a modern-day service that provides life enhancing health and wellbeing support to the whole fire community.

The Fire Fighters Charity is here for every one of the UK’s both serving and retired members of fire and rescue staff as well as their families, a tailored package that no other organisation can provide.

Firmly established on the fire and rescue service calendar, the National Car Wash is the Charity’s largest national fundraising event of the year. 

As well as being a fun and popular fundraising event for the kids who get to check out the array of equipment, the Car Wash also gives firefighters the unique opportunity to share vital community safety advice with a large cross-section of their community. 

Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, Dr Jill Tolfrey, said: “The National Car Wash provides a vital source of income for the Charity, as well as being a fun and popular event. 

“It costs £8.5million a year to keep The Fire Fighters Charity running – and with no regular government funding, we rely completely on your donations and goodwill. 

“You can show your support to our firefighting heroes by visiting your local fire station on Saturday 10 June – and afterwards drive away safely, in a clean car!”

Chief Fire Officer said: “Monies raised through national fundraising initiatives provide a real boost to The Fire Fighters Charity. 

“We are delighted that so many of our fire stations are getting involved and would urge local people to come along and support the day. 

“Your valued donations will go towards helping thousands of men, women and children from the fire and rescue community during their times of need.”   

Applications For Boardroom Apprentice 2023 Are Open

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Applications for this year’s Boardroom Apprentice programme are now open and available on the official Boardroom Apprentice website.

Open to those aged 16 or over from all backgrounds and all abilities, this unique board learning and development programme is looking for a diverse range of Boardroom Apprentices to take a seat at one of the host boards and attend a suite of expertly led learning days throughout the year.

Founded by Eileen Mullan in 2017, the programme is now in its sixth year and has helped 277 individuals across Northern Ireland make their aspiration of sitting on a board a reality whilst helping to diversify boardrooms in the public and third sector.

Eileen Mullan, Boardroom Apprentice founder, said: “I decided to create a programme that brings together three key elements – knowledge and understanding, experience and support. Over a twelve-month window Boardroom Apprentices will get practical board experience, a suite of learning days and support to fully equip them to serve on a board in the public or third sector.

“Being a Boardroom Apprentice is a gift. You get the programme as a gift with the expectation that you give it back. Being a Boardroom Apprentice is about preparing you for public service, which is about you playing your part.”

Speaking of her experience, Boardroom Apprentice Alex Deonarine who was placed with the Department of Health said: “Being a young, mixed race girl, I initially felt as if there was no room for me at the boardroom table. 

“I didn’t understand my potential and often questioned ‘what’s the point?’ or ‘what do I have to bring?’.

“What I learned was that anyone and everyone can serve on a board, it just takes confidence and believing in yourself. 

“If you’ve never seen anyone “like you” on a board before, be the first one. You will never regret it – you will only treasure each and every experience on this journey.”

2022 Boardroom Apprentice, Craig Service, who was placed with the NI Police Fund said that the programme was a “humbling” experience.

He added: “Before I joined the programme, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought it would be daunting and I suppose I doubted my capabilities to be involved in such a programme.

“I met and worked with wonderful people all of whom have their own views, opinions and experiences that I could learn from.

“Being on a board is one of the most humbling and authentic experiences I have ever had. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone.”

Boardroom Apprentice Gillian Orr, who was placed with Nexus, said her time on the course last year provided her with an opportunity to develop her soft skills: “Through the project work I developed greater interpersonal skills which were really helpful and mirrored the experience of being a new board member. 

“I also learned skills across different areas that I wouldn’t typically have insight to, such as finance analysis and governance, all of which were accessible at all levels and applicable in my host board setting.”

Boardroom Apprentice Clodagh Palmer, who was placed with Southern Regional College said the experience helped her in her personal development journey.

“Boardroom Apprentice enables people from different backgrounds to have an opportunity to be on a board” she said. 

“I wanted to be on a board for my personal development and to be able to give back to the community in which I live.

“Before applying I had no idea, to be honest, of what to expect and I thought it wouldn’t be as interesting as it was. I was wrong, as I soon found out the programme was far better than I ever expected.

“I learned so much about how boards work, the intricacies and about what I can bring to the board.

This year’s programme will run from September 1, 2023 – until August 31, 2024. Applications close at 3pm on Monday June 19.

To apply go the Boardroom Apprentice programme go to boardroomapprentice.com/how-to-apply

For more information on Boardroom Apprentice go to boardroomapprentice.com 

Strabane gets set for Summer Jamm celebrations

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It’s all happening in Strabane next month as the final plans are put in place for the latest celebration of the sensational Strabane Summer Jamm outdoor festival.

This year’s event takes place on June 17th with a fantastic line up of entertainment for all ages, from live music and arts and crafts to cute critters and BMX biking.

Launching the programme today, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Sandra Duffy, said the festival would offer fun for all the family. “The programme for this year’s Summer Jamm is fantastic with a diverse range of fun activities for all ages. There will be the usual brilliant line up of live music to get everyone into the swing, as well as street animation, petting zoos, market stalls, circus skills and much more throughout the day.

“Strabane town centre will be absolutely buzzing with visitors and the festival provides a fantastic boost to the local economy. Summer Jamm brings out the very best in the town with its strong community spirit and vibrant cultural scene. It’s just the perfect day out for families and the perfect way to welcome in the summer.”

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BALLYGALLY CASTLE NAMED ONE OF WORLD’S TOP HOTELS BY TRAVELLERS’ CHOICE

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BALLYGALLY Castle has been named by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel site, as one of the top 10% of hotels across the world.

The stunning property, located on the causeway coastal route, has been given the prestigious accolade as part of the 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards which celebrates businesses that have consistently received great reviews from guests on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, placing these winners among the 10% of all listings on Tripadvisor globally.

Scott Weatherup, General Manager of Ballygally Castle said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been named as one of the top hotels worldwide. The fact that the winners are based on continued feedback and reviews from hotel guests from around the world makes this award extra special – as they have experienced first-hand the first-class accommodation and service we provide. Our guests are at the heart of everything we do and our teams work very hard to make sure each and every visitor has a memorable experience from the moment they step foot in the hotel.

As we approach the peak summer season, which is already set to be a very busy one for Ballygally Castle, this award is a fantastic boost for staff as it’s recognition that their hard work and dedication is appreciated. We’re proud to be the travellers’ choice.”

John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor said: “Earning a Travellers’ Choice Award demonstrates that Ballygally Castle has provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests. Cheers to another successful year!”

Going Beyond Expectations: Ciara Burch’s Journey With Boardroom Apprentice

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2022 Boardroom Apprentice Ciara Burch

By Zahra Baz

Ciara Burch had long recognised the impact of board involvement throughout her role as a Project Management Consultant at PwC.

The Belfast-native previously felt she lacked the experience and knowledge required to sit on a board before the opportunity to gain hands-on experience came along.

With a strong desire to better understand the societal needs of Northern Ireland, the 36-year-old was quick to apply for the Boardroom Apprentice back in 2022.

“I was attracted to apply for the opportunity because I wanted to learn how to be effective on a board, and gain a better understanding of the big societal questions that the public sector and charity boards face and deal with on a daily basis.

“In the past I’ve worked in organisations that have answered to boards so I’ve really seen the impact they can have on major decisions. 

“I really wanted to better understand how the board was part of the ecosystem when it came to these public organisations.”

In 2017, Eileen Mullan established the Boardroom Apprentice initiative. This programme offers a distinctive opportunity for individuals interested in serving on public or third sector board to acquire knowledge, develop skills, and gain practical experience in a safe environment before venturing into the actual boardroom.

For her Boardroom Apprentice experience Ciara was placed with Belfast based charity Housing Rights, which works to help people in Northern Ireland live in safe, suitable, and affordable homes.

“The application process was incredibly simple and straightforward, just make sure to be open and honest because that will make your experience all the more meaningful.

“It’s incredibly important to understand why you want to sit on a board and, if you have a particular host board in mind, why you want to be matched with that one specifically. Knowing and understanding your ‘why’ directly affects how you make decisions so you really do need to be clear on that.”

For Ciara, she applied to Boardroom Apprentice with one overarching goal: to learn something brand new.

“I actually didn’t have a particular type of board that I wanted to serve on when it came to my application. For me it was more about understanding the role of boards and how they impact the work done in Northern Ireland on a societal scale.

“However, I selected charity host boards because it was beyond the realms of my normal working life and was an entirely new experience for me.

“Being on the Housing Rights board was such a meaningful experience. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and it opened my eyes to the key role that organisations and charities play in our society, the challenges they face and the innovative way they deal with challenges.

“I feel I got a really in-depth experience because I was invited to attend board activities at every level and was encouraged to be part of all of the activities. It really let me see the key role that every member plays in the room as well as the importance of asking the awkward questions!”

Recognising the significance of offering formal training and assistance to aspiring board members, the Boardroom Apprentice programme places a strong emphasis on upskilling. Every participant is required to participate in a series of structured learning days, which have been designed to enrich their abilities and broaden their knowledge. By prioritising skill enhancement in this way, the programme ensures that each individual is well-equipped to take on board positions with both confidence and competence.

With her expectations exceeded, Ciara initially anticipated the Boardroom Apprentice as more of a stepping stone towards board service. It was after the programme began that she recognised the emphasis on personal development.

“The programme was much more than I expected” said Ciara, adding: “There was a greater focus on personal development than I assumed would be possible in a programme of this scale.

“For example, communication was a key skill that was heavily emphasised throughout the programme so we were given the tools to tailor our communication styles to our audience in order to communicate messages or to question potential assumptions.

“On top of that, the calibre of the guest lecturers was far beyond what I could have expected. This includes some of the key personalities in public life who spoke with enthusiasm for what the programme is aiming to achieve. They shared their personal stories and spoke candidly of the difficulties they face in life, and passionately about what drives them to want to do better – their ‘why’.”

Additionally, Ciara often found herself pleasantly surprised by unexpected elements of the programme that went beyond her initial expectations.

“I was genuinely taken aback by the strength of the community that the Boardroom Apprentice programme has built and how supportive of an environment it all is.

“I feel as though I could reach out to any of my fellow apprentices to gain support in my boardroom journey.”

For those considering applying to this year’s Boardroom Apprentice programme, Ciara provides honest advice: “Take a deep breath and just do it. But make sure that you have the time to dedicate yourself, so that you can take advantage of everything that it offers.

“It’s opened up so many doors and opportunities for me, so I know the next round of apprentices will reap the same benefits. For example, I have a lot more confidence in asking questions – even the stupid ones because, more often than not, they’re the key ones that everyone’s thinking about.

“Don’t let your own prejudged ideas about yourself stop you from applying. Everyone has the right to be in the room and everyone is necessary for the conversations to happen.”

Applications for the 2023/2024 Boardroom Apprentice programme open on Monday June 5 and close at 3pm on Monday June 19.

To apply go the Boardroom Apprentice programme go to boardroomapprentice.com/how-to-apply

For more information on Boardroom Apprentice go to boardroomapprentice.com 

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