Help to redeem your community May 9
X Factor finalist Janet Devlin is the latest addition to a packed line up for the ROC (Redeeming Our Communities) Northern Ireland Launch event to be staged at Belfast Waterfront on Wednesday 9th May.
The Launch of ROC Northern Ireland is set to be a landmark event pulling together people and organisations from statutory bodies, local authority, faith groups and voluntary agencies throughout Northern Ireland, in a concerted effort to make our communities kinder, safer places to live.
“It’s been fascinating to see where the interest for this event has been coming from,” said Trish Morgan, of the ROC steering group. “It’s clear that agencies large and small, voluntary and statutory are all looking for ways to be more effective and view the partnerships that ROC are facilitating as the way forward. With all that, plus some great entertainment, we are going to be in for an amazing evening.”
As well as Janet Devlin, the entertainment on the night will include more live music from Joanne Hogg of Iona and the Belfast Community Gospel Choir. The Revie School of Dance and Vibe Academy will bring lively contributions, and Jim Eastwood of ‘The Apprentice’ will be helping to host the evening. These performances and guests will support a line up showcasing inspiring stories of community action from a wide variety of local and regional organisations.
Debra Green, the founder of ROC, said, “I am very excited about the launch of ROC in Northern Ireland. We have received a very warm welcome, and I sense that this is the right time for greater collaboration for the good of our communities. Working together is the key to greater effectiveness and getting more done. We all want to live in safer, kinder communities and this will be achieved as each one of us makes a contribution, however small. Let’s take this opportunity to be part of this movement for change.”
Her words have been echoed by The Right Revd Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe who said: “Getting influential groups to engage creatively together is a key factor in transforming communities. From what I have seen elsewhere, ROC has the experience and the expertise to develop partnerships in Northern Ireland which will prove dynamic and effective in community transformation. I am excited by the possibilities and am pleased to offer my support.”
Anyone who wants to make a difference in their communities and is looking for practical ideas to set about doing that should attend this unique evening of entertainment and stories of social action.
The ROC event starts at 6pm on Wednesday 9th May at Belfast Waterfront, with a resources exhibition giving people the chance to gather information about a wide range of volunteering opportunities. At 7.30pm the main event kicks off in the Waterfront Hall. Entry is £5 and tickets can only be purchased online at
www.roc.uk.com/northernireland
or by phone 0161 946 2373.