Training Programmes
 Breast and Cervical Screening Programme
This is a 2 session programme offered to community groups to raise awareness of the importance of breast and cervical screening, by providing information that will encourage them to avail of the screening services on offer and help address any fears surrounding attending screening.  The sessions are fully interactive and fun yet still deliver a high impact message. The programme was developed to tackle the low uptake of breast and cervical screening invitations by women living in some areas of Northern Ireland and evidence suggests participants are more likely to attend screening after participating in the programme. The programme was designed in partnership with health professionals and is delivered by our Community Facilitators as experience suggests peer education is more effective in communities. Session 1 looks at breast awareness and breast screening and includes a practical demonstration on how to check your breasts and the signs and symptoms to look for. Session 2 highlights the benefits of regular cervical screening, what happens at a smear test and the types of results and what they mean. For more information on the Breast and Cervical Screening Programme or to book the programme for your community group, please contact Sadhbh Branton on 028 9023 0212 or email sadhbh.branton@wrda.net
Special Clinics
WRDA in partnership with Action Cancer have developed a special programme of clinics targeted at groups of women who have more difficulty in accessing breast screening services than others. These clinics are available to women who have learning/physical disabilities, women from minority ethnic groups, older women or women that we consider to have special needs (eg: homeless/mental health issues). Each clinic will cater for a small number of people, so that appropriate individual attention can be given where needed. Each clinic will be tailored to the group’s particular needs, for example providing disabled access, interpreters, or sign language provision. This service includes a Breast Screening Awareness session with one of WRDA's Community Facilitators, a session of complementary therapy followed by lunch. These clinics take place in Action Cancer House at 1 Marlborough Park, Malone Road, Belfast and each clinic can take a maximum of twelve women. Transport will be provided for groups attending the clinic. Special Clinics: Criteria for Breast Screening Women with learning/physical disabilities, older women (70+) and women from minority ethnic groups Women must be aged 50+ and have not had a mammogram within the last 2 years Women must be within the Belfast / South Eastern Trust areas.
Not Eligible To discuss your groups particular needs or for more information about the special clinics contact Sadhbh Branton at WRDA on 028 9023 0212 or email sadhbh.branton@wrda.net
Good Relations Project
The WRDA offers a Good Relations Project to community groups consisting of 3 different programmes; ‘Good Relations’, ‘Common Experiences Shared Solutions’ and ‘Grassroots Lobbying – A Cross Community Approach’. They can be delivered as a Good Relations Programme consisting of all three courses or each course can be used on a ‘stand alone’ basis. All the courses have been carefully designed to attract cross community involvement.
Good Relations Through interesting and stimulating activities, exercises and discussions, participants learn about certain aspects of Northern Ireland society. Issues relating to negative stereotyping, sectarianism and racism are explored. Participants can reflect on the origins and consequences of the deep-seated mistrust between the different groups in Northern Ireland. Myths and fears generated by the arrival in Northern Ireland of migrant workers are challenged and contextualised. (3 sessions)
Common Experiences: Shared Solutions During this course, participants are invited to examine ideas about personal and national identity (Britishness and Irishness) and how these identities are formed. An attempt is made to examine the intensity of feelings around identity for which Northern Ireland is famous – or infamous! The focus is then moved away from the old tribal animosities on to the topic of social class. What is social class? How does it affect people’s lives? Finally, participant’s attention is drawn to the many social and economic problems that confront working class communities today. The potential for cross community co-operation to tackle some of these issues/concerns is then explored. (3 sessions)
Grassroots Lobbying - A Cross Community Approach This resource pack explores the social and economic benefits that could be achieved by using democratic and political institutions at a community and cross community level. Awareness is raised with participants of some of the workings of Northern Ireland politics including the Assembly at Stormont and the roles of public representatives like MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) There are exercises and group work activities on how to contact political representatives, how to draw up petitions, how to organise public meetings and even how to contact and use the press. The training stresses the power and effectiveness of group or community lobbying in achieving results. There is also an opportunity for the group to plan and manage a simulated lobbying campaign. (3 sessions).
If you are interested in finding out more about our Good Relations Programmes, please contact Sadhbh Branton on 028 9023 0212 or email sadhbh.branton@wrda.net
Other Training Programmes
The WRDA offers a variety of training programmes available through our Social Enterprise, Community Direct.
Programmes on offer include: Health Awareness: - Parents Promoting Alcohol Awareness – an alcohol awareness programme
- Let’s Talk – Parent / Child communication programme regarding sexual health and internet safety
- Minding Me – Mental Health Promotion Programme
- Have a Change of Heart – Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Programme
- Parents Promoting Healthy Habits - Programme regarding the importance of a healthy diet for children
- Women’s Health – General Women’s Health Awareness Programme
Community Direct also offers a range of bespoke workplace training that can be tailored to individuals organisations needs. For more information on any of these programmes or to find out more about Community Direct, please contact Angie McCabe on 028 9023 0212 or email communitydirect@wrda.net. Alternatively you can visit the Community Direct Website for more information.
Women’s Community Education
There are many other education and training opportunities on offer to women from a range of community organisations. These programmes are supported by crèche and childcare services ranging from playgroups to full day care. An online prospectus detailing all the education and training programmes on offer in Northern Ireland has been developed and can be accessed here; http://wcrpeducation.org.uk/.
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