Newington Day Centre

Opened in 1978, Newington Day Centre is in the Voluntary scetor, its is a registered charity and is core granted aided by Belfast Trust. Core funding is augmented by voluntary donation- from local community, Trust Funds etc. The Centre has qualified staff but also recieves valuabale support from local community through the assistance of volunteer. In addition and from time to time, posts are funded, usually for a three year peroid, by Trust Funds - latterly, Lloyds TSB and The Henry Smith Foundation. Other funders, too numerous to mention, include Garfield Weston, Bombardier. The present Volunteer Managers post is funded for a three years peroid.

Newington Day Centre is situated in a building owned by Holy Family Parish, the trustees lease it to the Management Committee for a 'peppercorn rent'. The Management Committee employ a Manager, a Deputy Manager, Care Assistants, a Caretaker and Kitchen staff. The core staff is supplemented by a group of volunteers who are presently managed by a Volunteer Manager.

Newington Day Centre have been providing care to people who are older and at times quite vulnerable for over 30 years. As statistics show the trend for people to live longer is continuing, therefore it is extremely important that the Centre adapts to, enhances and listens to the needs of its members and carers alike. The Management Committee alongside the dedicated staff and volunteers, aim to provide the highest quality of care possible to our members and to support, to the best of our ability, those important people who care for them at home.

We currently care for 35 frail vulnerable people a day, plus 15 others who do not need such intensive care, but some support often through illness or bereavement. The commitment of staff and volunteers working in the Centre is central to their belief that they can help to make life a little better for those who they care for. This common purpose has led to the development of services and installation of a diverse range of activities.

We continue to provide In-House Training for staff, carers and volunteers on a Monday morning from 9.30am - 11.30am. We are very proud of all the certificates, training events and courses which we provide at the Centre, this will help us as a team provide the best quality of service possible.

Newington Day Centre has grown over the years from a refurbished 3 story building to an extensive building with excellent facilities. It is our great privilege to care for people who are older, at a time in their lives when they need our support. Many of this generation helped us achieve our dreams with the dedication of the staff, Management Committee and volunteers perhaps we can still help them to achieve theirs.