Superstars

Welcome to the Superstars Club!

For people with learning disabilities

Superstars is a charity whose purpose is to provide life enhancing opportunities for people with learning disabilities which are not available elsewhere. Based at 13 Oldtown Street, Cookstown, membership comes from throughout the whole of Mid-Ulster.

Founded in February 2005, Superstars was formed to help fill the gaping lack of social and leisure opportunities for this special group of people. Our activities rely on the recruitment of loyal, dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers many of whom are still, after many years, involved in working with young and older people with learning difficulties at our many differing activities. A regular number of younger volunteers pass through the ranks on their way into university and their chosen professions, all much richer for their experiences with us.

Superstars has grown, developed and diversified in many ways and seeks to continue to do so.

Clubs run on four evenings per week providing social, leisure, sporting, arts, dance and drama opportunities in the evenings. Activities include ten pin bowling, multi sports activities, cookery classes, dance and fitness classes, art/crafts, computer games, pool and other gaming activities. Our Theatre Group rehearses for ten months every year on a weekly basis and stages a show every June in the Burnavon Theatre. To date we have performed our version of Grease, Mamma Mia, High School Musical and Shrek.

The Cafe at Superstars at 13 Oldtown Street is open five days per week and provides training opportunities for twenty adults with learning difficulties. These are supported by trained staff and numerous volunteers. The cafe serves a full range of home baked produce, hot lunches, freshly ground coffee, drinks and snacks etc. All food is freshly prepared on the premises. Trainees with learning difficulties are actively involved in planning, food preparation, table service and clean up.

Our home bakery produce has become a great attraction to many local people and visitors to Cookstown at our stall on a Saturday morning. Varieties available to purchase include banana bread, soda farls, scones (plain, fruit, raspberry and white chocolate), plain, wheaten and fruit loaves, cupcakes, tray bakes, etc. Cakes for special occasions are available to order.

The Enterprise

Social Enterprise: assembling parts for Copeland/Emerson, a local air conditioning engineering business, is another facet of the training opportunities for trainees.

Gardening Project: behind the cafe, it is being developed and is another way to improve life opportunities for our special members. We constantly try to find ways to encourage the talents and abilities of our members and help them maximise the abilities. The aim is to increase confidence and social interaction and well as the satisfaction of seeing a job well done!

Recycling Project: talks are ongoing with Mid-Ulster Council to develop a recycling entertprise.

Fundraising and grant applications are a big part of our focus, sustaining the opportunities which Superstars provide. We are greatly indebted to local businesses and community organisations for their support.

Volunteering

Volunteers are the backbone of Superstars, they provide a safe, caring environment where children and adults with learning difficulties can grow in confidence and feel valued and fully included members of our community. New volunteers are always needed whether on a short time basis or in the longer term.

New members are always welcome, our desire is to reach out and provide life changing opportunities to as many special people as possible.

Come and join us and help us “Make a Difference”