Over the summer, different projects will be set up, hopefully expanding volunteering possibilities further. For the moment, we welcome any suggestions and offer placements:

Writing our newsletter - a new journalism project has been set up with the Editor of the Daily Mirror leading the program. Photographer for NIDYA - a photo workshop is being provided to train budding photographers for our  newsletters/website/members/advertisements. Cameraman - a video/camera workshop will be provided later on in the summer to train up volunteers to film visual work on behalf of NIDYA. I.T. specialists - we would really appreciate any help from volunteers who have any ideas for our website - graphics, photoshoots, video editorials, written opinions etc.

Volunteers for our summer residentials - we need over 18yr olds with experience of Deaf culture and/or signing skills to help supervise our numerous residentials over the summer months.Volunteers who are fluent in sign language are wanted to volunteer as BSL teachers. They will be guided by trained BSL teachers to increase other organisations knowledge of Deaf culture and its language. Volunteers for our youth and children clubs which will restart in September following summer holidays. Volunteers needed to work in our befriending programs. Volunteers willing to help with fundraising for NIDYA.

Deaf and HOH are strongly encouraged to come and meet with our volunteer co-ordinator to discuss volunteer roles within other organisations eg. volunteers are desperately needed to provide care in a Belfast-based nursing home, elderly care homes, mental disability organisations, charity shops, animal conservation, environmental protection, etc. We endeavour to make sure that any perceived disability on the volunteer's part will not prove a hindrance to being placed with the organisation they are most interested in.

Over the last five years, NIDYA in partnership with the Rank Foundation has offered work placements to our young deaf members. Many young people today do decide to take a year out before they go onto further and higher education after leaving school. We have seen many young people take an opportunity to work at NIDYA, and gained experience and new skills

Funding from the Rank Foundation has contributed and support a young deaf person's placement at NIDYA for a period of nine months. Funding provided includes personal living expenses, and training expenses to support the young person during their placement.

The young person is known as a 'Gapper' during their placement, and will be encouraged to complete a Foundation in Youth Work at the George Williamson YMCA College in England.

If you seek more information, please check out the below web link:

http://www.ymca.ac.uk/rank/gap/index.htm

A new project commenced in December 2006, which is part-financed by the European Union Under Peace II Programme through Proteus (NI) Ltd.

The Project is a Training Project, to provide new training opportunities for young deaf people:

• CLAIT Skills
• OCR Trainee Leadership & OCN Part/Time Youth Work
• Foundation in Deaf Studies (CACDP)

New members of staff (Proteus Team) have join NIDYA's training service, and they are:

Paul Stewart - Youth Trainer - paul.stewart@nidya.org.uk

Annette O'Doherty - Youth Trainer - annette.odoherty@nidya.org.uk

Lindsay McConnell - Administrator - lindsay.mcconnell@nidya.org.uk

If you require information on the above training opportunities, please do contact the Proteus Team.

The project will run from December 2006 to May 2008