Chefs from the Masala restaurant taking English classes at the SECA offices.  Pictured are Rukmagat Aryal, Hukum Bahadhurkc, Reskham Laisubedi and Parusuran Poudel.

These chefs from local Indian restaurant Masala are being prepared for the IELTS by SECA, with new legislation coming in shortly requiring all Asian immigrants to have a qualification in English to have their visa renewed.  SECA has organised English classes to help the chefs stay in business and continue to support the local community.

A day course on Child Protection was organised by SECA and delivered by Geoff Hunter on the 25th June, held at SECA offices. Pictured here are the participating SECA members along with members from the local community.

Members of SECA and FountainStreet enjoyed a guided tour of Stormont recently. During their tour, the group met with, amongst others, Ian Paisley Jr. and Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Gregory Campbell. The group where accompanied on their trip by Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty, local councillor Michael Boyle and Bobby Rao.

The group meets Ian Paisley Junior.

SECA and Good Relations Department representatives pictured with students from Newtonstewart primary schools.

On June 13th SECA members travelled to Newtonstewart library to read to children from local primary schools in Polish, pictured below is Agnieszka Sakowskie

This box is for all the upcoming events involving SECA, and also serves as a congratulations box, including birthdays births and other celebrations.

If you know of any special events coming up then please contact us and we will update the Event Box.

Bobby Rao presents Stephen Birkett of SGS a Multi-Faith calender on behalf of SECA, pictured with members of Year 8.

On June 9th Bobby Rao completed another of his many Diversity Training Days, becoming more and more popular with schools and students as the issues of diversity and tolerance become more prominent.

This was followed up by another training day, this time with the Year 9’s on the 18th of June, pictured SECA member Natalia Palacz.

  SECA representatives with guests.

Barry Mc Gale of Western Health & Social Trust said when someone dies by suicide many people are affected such as families’ friends and work colleagues.

It is important to communicate and address with the concerned person or people and never take things lightly. It’s a mental block, we should try and move the block to a different area to help but all too often no one knows where to turn to for information and support. (Barry has distributed information leaflet contact number.)

Reverend Noel presenting Barry Mc Gale with a memento.

Speaker Ann McGarrigle from Suicide Support Group who lost her son to suicide said coming here to talk and sharing her experience as a mother to bring hope and belonging to the people who lost their love ones and not to shy away from seeking help.

Vin McCullagh, playwright of ‘Why am I?’, spoke about his true story of attempts to deal with manic depression, mental illness and his personal battle in dealing with the threat of suicide. Vin offers a unique insight into the battle against mental illness which is now increasingly being diagnosed and openly discussed in society today.

SECA Chairman Dr Nari Babu presenting Ann McGarrigle with a memento.

Bobby Rao, SECA development officer, thanked the three speakers and said they were excellent in giving courage and strength to people who think it’s a stigma when they lose their loved ones to suicide.

If you need any help or support, call:

Ann McGarrigle - 02871278709 OR 07738057129

Barry McGale - 02871865127

SECA will hold a suicide awareness evening on Wednesday 9th April at 7pm in The Alley Theatre.

The purpose of the evening is to inform the public of the contributory factors regarding suicide, what to do if you are concerned about someone and where to seek help if you have lost someone to suicide.

Speakers on the night will be Western Health and Social Care Trust Suicide Awareness Co-ordinator, Barry McGale and Ann McGarrigle from the North West Bereaved by Suicide Support Group.

Mr McGale explains “When someone dies by suicide many people are affected; family, friends and work colleagues but all too often no-one knows where to turn to for information and support. We hope that this evening will go some way to meeting this need.”

Bobby Rao adds “Unfortunately we have had a string of suicides in this area over the past six months and this evening is about raising awareness of the groups out there that can help. Everyone is welcome and I hope we get good support from families bereaved by suicide and the general public.”

Paying tribute to Mr Szabo, Bobby Rao of SECA said: “It is a very sad time for both families caught up in this terrible tragedy. Our prayers are with his family and the ethnic group has contributed to his return home.”

Zoltan’s friends and family with Bobby Rao.

Presbyterian Minister Nigel Craig along with his Hungarian wife have been working with the Hungarian community and are stunned at Mr Szabo’s death. “My wife has been working with the council for Ethnic Minorities for several years as an interpreter so she has been the go-between since Zoltan’s death. His death has come as such a shock for the Hungarian community and in particular, Zoltan’s fiancee of seven years, Monica.”

Our thoughts and sympathies are with Zoltan’s friends and family at this unhappy time.

The information session on being breast aware and the importance of cervical and breast screening took place for SECA, as part of International Womens’ Day and as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal program. The event was held at the Fir Trees Hotel on 6th March 2008. The women attending the evening event recieved information on being breast cancer aware, a chance to use the breast cancer training model and to recieve information on cervical and breast screening.

The session was organised by SECA in conjunction with the Health Promotion Department and the Western Social Care Trust . The session received extremely positive feedback, with all participants reporting an increased understanding of the importance of being breast aware and attendance at cervical and breast appointments.

Bobby Rao, Development Officer, said it was a very successful evening and hopes to organise similar events in the future.

For more information on breast cancer call the Breast Screening Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital on 02871 611363 or 02871 611443.