0:00:00 > 0:00:04Hello, there. I'm Jo Scott, and you're very welcome to Lifeline.
0:00:16 > 0:00:17On today's programme,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20we'll be hearing about the Linen Hall library
0:00:20 > 0:00:23as it gets ready to celebrate a special birthday.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28And we'll be finding out what's so interesting at Belfast Zoo.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32But first, to today's appeal from Belfast Lough,
0:00:32 > 0:00:35where Denise Watson's been taking to the high seas.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Who wouldn't enjoy the thrill and excitement of sailing,
0:00:41 > 0:00:46kayaking, or motor boating on a beautiful day on Belfast Lough?
0:00:59 > 0:01:02These water sports are offered to anyone with a physical,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04mental, or learning disability.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09Belfast Lough Sailability has a small fleet of specially-designed boats.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12They enable their members to experience the joy and freedom
0:01:12 > 0:01:14that the open water provides.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19One of the sailors is Elizabeth, who along with her assistance dog,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Barnaby, is able to teach other disabled people how to sail.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28I've always loved being on the water. And being out.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30I learnt to row originally
0:01:30 > 0:01:33when I was a kid on the park ponds in Scotland.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And when I heard about Belfast Lough Sailability,
0:01:37 > 0:01:41I couldn't wait to see was it possible to join.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46The particular thrill for me is that I'm now able to take other
0:01:46 > 0:01:51disabled people out and help them to learn to sail.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54I mean, when I joined Belfast Sailability,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57I never thought that would happen!
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Belfast Lough Sailability is a charity run solely by volunteers.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06They gladly give up their time and expertise to enable people
0:02:06 > 0:02:10with disabilities to get afloat in a safe and friendly environment.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14We were out sailing today.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17I don't think sailing is a dangerous sport for disabled people.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20I think it's a really good opportunity for them
0:02:20 > 0:02:22to put themselves out of their comfort zone.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24To maybe challenge themselves
0:02:24 > 0:02:26in a way that they aren't challenged before.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29They want to experience something that's different,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32something that's exciting, just as much as able-bodied people do.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34I think it's really good to get them out on the water
0:02:34 > 0:02:36and to push their boundaries.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The Sea Rover is a boat which wheelchair users can easily access.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47I always wanted to be out on the water and see what it looks like.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Because it's nice to see the different wildlife as well.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53We do see a lot of seals out in the harbour.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56They're nice to look at.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Now, you've got to meet Bill.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01He's blind and has been sailing competitively for 30 years.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- Bill, I understand you're an instructor as well?- Yes.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07I would help out with training people how to tie knots
0:03:07 > 0:03:10and basic sail theory and so on.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13And you're also keen to encourage others to join up?
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Oh, yes. Sailability is always looking out for new members.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Although you come down as a stranger, within a short time,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23you'll be part of our big happy family here
0:03:23 > 0:03:25and we'll have you out sailing.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28All activities take place from their base at Carrickfergus Marina,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30which is fully accessible.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34All volunteers are well trained and safety is paramount.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39Belfast Lough Sailability is funded by donations and small grants,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43but it needs your help to buy much-needed safety equipment.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46£100 will buy a lifejacket.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49£150, a hand-held radio.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54And £55 will provide fuel for one session.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59Every time we take 20, 30, five people out, even,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02there's a support network there that actually costs money
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and that's what we're looking for funding for, to enable us
0:04:05 > 0:04:07to support bringing people out.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10I believe they get a sense of fun, they get a sense of freedom
0:04:10 > 0:04:12while they are out on the water.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15They make new friends, they can develop new skills.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18They get out and enjoy sailing, which is normally a sport
0:04:18 > 0:04:20not accessible to everybody.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23And they just have a great time.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Belfast Lough Sailability could make a difference to you, too.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39If you have a disability, just call them
0:04:39 > 0:04:41if you want to get out on the water.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45And if you can make a small donation, that would be very much appreciated.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46Thank you.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51If you'd like to donate to Sailability online,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53go to...
0:04:56 > 0:04:59..and click on the donate button.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Or write to the Appeals Office at...
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Well, if it's books you're into, you're in luck here.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15We've got a first edition of Ulysses by James Joyce.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20And a fabulous Napoleon's Activities in Arabic, no less, John.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- And you've got a big birthday coming up next month?- We do.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- On 13 May this year, we will be 225 years old.- Wow.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Which is a tremendous achievement
0:05:29 > 0:05:32for any organisation to exist in this world.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35John, so many stories, so steeped in history.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38And it's hard to imagine that this place was once
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- frequented by radicals and revolutionaries.- Well, it was.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43The period in which it was founded
0:05:43 > 0:05:45was a radical period in European history,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48in British history and Irish history.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52One of our first committee members was Henry Joy McCracken,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55who was a founder member of the Belfast United Irishmen,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59led the insurgents at Antrim in '98 and unfortunately paid for it
0:05:59 > 0:06:00with his life.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Well, John, I can imagine it's difficult to keep a lending library
0:06:04 > 0:06:07like this open when you've got so much competition from online.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Well, we've risen to the challenge for 225 years.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15The digital era is something that we have embraced.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17And we have digitised our own collections
0:06:17 > 0:06:21and currently we are involved in a very exciting outreach project
0:06:21 > 0:06:23with schools across Northern Ireland,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26using our theatre and performing arts archive.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Great stuff. Well, changing times.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31And let me wish you many happy returns for next month.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- Thank you very much.- Now, of course you can't beat a good read.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36But there wasn't much time for reading when a group of people
0:06:36 > 0:06:41left their day job to try their hand at volunteering at Belfast Zoo.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47The employer supported volunteering scheme gives people
0:06:47 > 0:06:50a chance to see if volunteering suits them.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53And these hardy souls certainly got a lot of attention
0:06:53 > 0:06:57as they were set to work maintaining the pig and bear enclosures.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01It's a whole new experience, because they're seeing animals
0:07:01 > 0:07:04they've never even heard of, let alone seen.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08They're learning from it the role of a modern-day zoo.
0:07:08 > 0:07:09It's brilliant, fantastic.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12We wanted to volunteer today to try
0:07:12 > 0:07:14and put a wee bit back into the community.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15And also, from my point of view,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17incorporate a wee bit of team building.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20It's rewarding because you know you're doing it for animals.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Doing it here, it's not just going to be a playing field
0:07:22 > 0:07:25and there's nothing here. We've seen a family out the back.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27We're looking to get the family into here and be running around
0:07:27 > 0:07:30and just excited to know that that's going to happen in the end.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33It's an ideal opportunity to do something new,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35to dip your toe in the water of volunteering.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38And hopefully encourage and inspire people to do more.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39People get involved
0:07:39 > 0:07:42because it's a great opportunity to work together as a team.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46It has great results that will be of benefit to the local community.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Well, no sign of any meerkats in here,
0:07:51 > 0:07:56but it is a fabulous book by the father of zoology, Conrad Gesner.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Now it's time to take a quick look at today's community noticeboard.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03And you have until Friday to apply for Action Cancer's
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Health Action awards, which allocate prizes to nurseries,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11schools and colleges who encourage health promotion.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Phone or e-mail for an entry form.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15Also on Friday,
0:08:15 > 0:08:20you can join a sponsored sea kayak paddle on Strangford Lough.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Get a fundraising pack from Emma at the Meningitis Research Foundation.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27And there are still tickets available for next month's
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Concentio Chamber Choir performance
0:08:29 > 0:08:34at Hillsborough Castle in aid of the SOS Bus Northern Ireland.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Well, details of this
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and other upcoming events are, of course, on our website.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43For now, though, thanks for watching Lifeline. See you next time.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44Bye-bye.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd