Downpatrick scheme in line for Pride award

Downpatrick scheme in line for Pride award

10 September 2014

A DOWNPATRICK community scheme has been entered into the prestigious IPB Pride of Place Awards.

The Health and Community Engagement Programme (HCEP) operates in a number of Downpatrick estates providing specialist support to allow residents to develop their communities internally and in partnership with other areas.

Judges from the all-Ireland Pride of Place awards visited Downpatrick on Friday to assess the programme and visit the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

The HCEP is a community needs led programme which is centred on areas in Downpatrick judged to be in most need of regeneration and renewal.

A key aspect of this renewal was the need to empower residents to work together to shape their own estates and the programme gives them the skills to do this.

The estates covered by the programme are Marian Park, Bridge Street, Stream Street, Kennedy Square, Saul Street, Meadowlands, Ardmeen Green and the Flying Horse Ward.

Residents’ groups are given specialist support and training workshops for committee meetings, annual meetings, the chance to take part in inter-agency meetings and to take part in the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area community collective group.

In addition a number of weekly activities are provided including a women’s group, men’s group, family networking events, youth programmes, seniors active mind active body, men only and community allotments.

The programme, which is run by County Down Rural Community Network, was entered into the Pride of Place competition by Down Council.

The IPB Pride of Place competition is an annual all-Ireland event aimed at recognising and celebrating the vital contributions that voluntary organisations make to improving people’s quality of life in their area.

The competition focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area.