Last week, the "Golden Thread Gallery", Belfast saw the launch of the book: “On to the Page”, which was the result of the work created in the “Through the Lens” project, organised by ICTU and the WEA. The theme if the book is "diversity" and it shows stories and photographs which were created by both men and women from the likes of the Belfast Trust, Waterways, Belfast City Council, Courts NI, Musgrave Park Hospital, etc. Unions represented were the like of NIPSA and UNISON. This project was funded by Peace III and Belfast City Council.

Congratulations to all who have been involved in this project!

The WEA sees creativity as being central to the social, economic and cultural development of Northern Ireland. The Creative Industries are also one of the fundamental strands of the WEA and because of this, we have written a definition outlining what we have done in this area during the last ten years, where we are placed for future plans and encourage collaboration from stakeholders at all levels.

For more information, go to: http://www.wea-ni.com/wea-definition-of-creative-industries

The WEA still has a few spaces left on training events planned for November.  Book now!

For further information or to book a place on any of the events listed please contact Kelly Barbour on T: 02890 329718 or E: kelly.barbour@wea-ni.com

Introduction to Principled Negotiation Skills

Negotiation is part of our everyday life, sometimes we do it without realising.  During this workshop you will be introduced to the Seven Element Model to negotiate in a way that maintains relationships in the long term.  This model can and has been used successfully in negotiating in work situations and resolving conflicts both within and between communities.  It can also be applied to negotiating with family, children and partners.

Date:  Wednesday 2 November from 10am - 4.30pm

Venue:  WEA Head Office, 3 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast

Cost:  £100 (private/stat groups)         £80 (community/voluntary groups)

Managing Conflict

Conflict happens all around us and is part of our lives - in personal relationships, in families, in workplaces, in neighbourhoods and in communities.  Learning to manage conflict more effectively is one of the most useful life skills any of us can acquire.  Conflict managed well can lead to strengthened relationships and an increased willingness and confidence to work co-operatively.  During this workshop you will learn how to use the 8 essential steps to dealing with conflict as well as understanding what conflict is and what causes it.

Date:  Wednesday 9 November from 10am - 4.30pm

Venue:  WEA Head Office, 3 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast

Cost:  £100 (private/stat groups)           £80 (community/voluntary groups)

Developing Facilitation Skills course

This course is suitable for anyone who is interested in increasing their facilitation and training skills with groups.  Participants will understand how a group develops, gain an understanding of the role of facilitator/trainer and assess the key skills and knowledge involved in this role.  In addition participants will gain advanced communication skills, learn how to effectively manage conflict in groups and understand the use of exit strategies.

Dates:  9, 16, 23, 30 November and 7 December from 10am - 4pm

Venue:  Nerve Centre, 7-8 Magazine Street, Derry/Londonderry

Cost:  £440 (private/stat groups)          £380 (community/voluntary groups)

As part of Moyle District Council’s Good Relations Programme, “Same Stories” invites participants to consider their own legacies and cultural identities, together with those of others in their communities.

Three sessions are running in the Moyle council area, introducing the facts around diversity and teaching participants how to develop content and create a digital story.

Anyone over 16yrs old can participate - no previous creative writing or digital media experience is required.

The Workers’ Educational Association &
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company
Presents

"Body Wisdom"

"Wisdom and experience written in the skin, muscle & bones"

The Workers’ Educational Association are collaborating once again with Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company to present the Body Wisdom dance project for those aged 50+.

Body Wisdom is a dance course with a difference, where your age is to your advantage. Places areavailable for new participants and former experience in dance is not necessary.You will be introducedto a wonderful creative movement process that relies on “the wisdom of your body” rather than on anyform of athleticism. New funding from the BBC Performing Arts Fund will also offer the project theopportunity to develop a new original dance performance piece with an original score written for thework. The project will be led by Steve Batts, Artistic Director of Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company.There is no cost to participants.

So if you are interested in dance and movement, are over 50 and want to experience a wonderfulcreative process then this is the project for you.

Location:At the new Echo Echo Dance Studio at 13 Bishop Street.
Commencing Friday 21st October from 10am - 12 Noon
For more information and to book your place, please contact: Sinead Devine @ WEA on
028 71 36 99 47 or email: sinead.devine@wea-ni.com

Then check out the

FREE PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT PROGRAMME

"Transitions"

The Association for Education and Ageing, Age Action Ireland &
Workers' Educational Association N I
& The New Dynamics of Ageing
Research Programme UK

present an international conference 20-22 March 2012

NEW DYNAMICS OF LEARNING AND AGEING:
RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE

at the National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM), Dublin

Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s has teamed up with the WEA to offer run of "Hittchikers Guide to the Belfast Festival". This is another set of guided tours to 8 community groups which consider themselves to be festival phobics. Each tour includes attendance at a broad range of exciting and interesting events over the festival period. This experience is offered free of charge.

Supported by Belfast City Council & Community Relations Council.

Spaces are limited, so if you or your communtiy group is interested, please contact Carole Kane as soon as possible, carolekane@wea-ni.com for more details.

The Northern Regional College (NRC) and the WEA are running “Learner Access and Engagement”: aimed at bringing people back into learning. Courses are offered through community groups in the NRC areas in towns from Portrush, the Glens, Mid-Ulster, Antrim and Newtownabby. These coruses aim to bring learning back into the heart of your community. Courses can only run between September to December, so they need to be booked immediately.

 If interested and you want to find out more, please contact, contact Carole Kane on 90329718 or carole.kane@wea-ni.com ASAP