Latest News

 PEACE III, Challenge of Change will providing information regarding alterations to the benefits system. If you have any doubts or need assistance, come  and speak to representatives from Citizens Advice. Interpreters will be available. The session will run from 7-9pm at Oasis Youth & Family Centre 34 Bridge Street Portadown

The five-woman team called Row For Freedom completed the challenge just after 5am GMT, arriving in Barbados after spending 45 days at sea.

They have become the first five-woman team to row any ocean, and have also completed the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by an all-female team, organisers said.

The women were taking part in the The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, rowing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Barbados, and are raising money for charities that work to stop human trafficking.

Julia Immonen, Debbie Beadle, Kate Richardson, Katie Pattinson-Hart and Helen Leigh, were greeted in Barbados by family and friends as they arrived today.

Skipper Debbie Beadle said: "We're exhausted and relieved. We've seen nothing but the sea, dolphins and each other for 45 days, so it's overwhelming to see all our family and friends. Our bodies are falling apart – we're waking up with our hands cramped into the rowing position and our backs aching.

"We've been on dehydrated food and desalinated water for a month and a half, so we can't wait to have some proper food and an ice-cold cocktail! Oh, and to sleep in a proper bed!

""It's all so emotional – and to break a world record too!"

Simon Chalk, race official from organiser Woodvale Challenge, said: "It's an incredible achievement.

"Rowing the Atlantic is one of the most challenging expeditions in the world, and it took real tenacity for these girls to get through it in such incredible spirits and break the World Record in such convincing fashion."

Row For Freedom were rowing to raise money for The A21 Campaign and ECPAT UK, charities who work to stop human trafficking Team leader Julia Immonen said: "Whenever we felt low, we just thought about the cause. "No matter how much we were suffering we knew it was far less than any victim of human trafficking."If we change the lives of just one victim, then our 45 days on the ocean will have been more than worth it. Immigration Minister Damian Green has praised the group, saying: "This is a fantastic achievement and highlights the level of commitment this organisation and others put in to fighting this terrible crime."Human trafficking is an awful crime where people are treated as commodities. I am determined that Britain becomes more hostile to traffickers, and at the same time more compassionate to victims."

"I'd like to extend my warm congratulations to all five crew members and commend their efforts to raise the awareness of human trafficking and, in doing so, breaking two world records."

BILINGUAL LITHUANIAN SUPPORT WORKER

CRAIGAVON INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMME requires a  bilingual Lithuanian support worker   to work in the Craigavon area for 18hrs per week- flexibility required

Salary NJC 22  (£18,450.00 Pro Rata)

Contract to 31st March 2012 – continuation subject to funding

This post is funded by OFMDFM Racial Equality

The ideal candidate will be computer literate and have a third level education or equivalent: must display a knowledge local migrant  needs  and services offered to them and be fluent in English and Lithuanian. Candidates must have one year’s  experience of working with the respective migrant community in a paid or voluntary capacity.  Candidates will have excellent organizational skills, effective interpersonal skills, be enthusiastic and  be able to demonstrate a strong good relation’s ethos. The candidates must be Team workers and have the ability to work on their own.

Candidates must have a clean driving license  with access to a car or alternative transportation.

Application forms may be collected from Portadown Jobs & Benefits Office

Application forms to be returned to Portadown Jobs & Benefits Office

Jervis Street, Portadown by 3pm  - Monday - 17th Oct 2011

Craigavon Intercultural Programme an equal opportunities employer 

 A new series of language and cultural classes will recomence in Oct at venues in Armagh, Craigavon, Banbridge and Newry and are offered to anyone who would like to discover more about 4 langauge groups, Polish, Lithuanian Chinese and Portuguese. To book a place contact Justyna McCabe,  tel  028 3031 3189.  The programme is supported by Challange of Change PEACE III 

CIP launches its new programme of activities at it's new centre in Portadown. The Cnentre will be lknown as Oasis Youth and Family Learniong Centre and is lcoated at 34 Bridge Street Portadown ( Previously known as Yzone) The centre will be used to deliver a range of projects, International Afterschool Club, Womens Support Group, Kids First ( Parent and Toddler Club), Homework clubs, Language classes, Recreational Courses, Oasis Yoputh projects, Drop In for Youth, Information meetinsg etc.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

25 August, 2011 - 11:35

Recreational Courses

CIP is offering  a series of recreational courses which will be delivered in the Craigavon area by Tudors from the Southern Regional College under the Transforming Learning Communities programme. Courses include, First Aid, Food & Hygiene, Pre ESOL classes, Digital Photography, Cake Decorating, flower arranging, patchwork.   

Language learning

The following opportunities exist for learning to progress their linquistic skills:

10 week Pre ESOL course. (mornings)

ESOL Intensive Course 3 months  6hrs per week (Tues & Fri mornings)

Conversational English Classes for advanced learners

A taste of Spanish  10 week basic spanish lessons

To register your interest in one of these courses please contact our office or email info@craigavonintercultural.org - (Please register your interest before 9th Sept) 

CIP commenced its summer scheme from primary school children entitled American Dream. The 5 day programme runs each morning from 10-30am - 12.30pm. The first day, Thursday 14 July, attracted 55 children from 9 different communities and is supported by  a group of volunteers from N.Ireland, Poland, Lithuanian, Portugal, Brazil and Sao Tome. The 5 day club will reach its climax on 20th July when the CIP ethnic children and young peoples project marks its first anniverary at a celebration event which will take place at Victoria Hall 2a Carrickblacker Ave Portadown - commencing at 6.30pm   

Unify Global Sport presents Row for Freedom as part of its 'Ordinary 2 Extraordinary' inititive. UGS has teamed up with Sport Againist Traficking to support the challenging journey of Portadown girl Kate Richardson who will row across the Atlanic with 5 freinds aiming to raise awareness and money for projects to tackle human trafficking. Friday 29 June 7.30-9.15pm  Millennium Court Art Centre Portadown