Downpatrick estate to get new lease of life...with the support of community

25 January 2012 - by JOANNE FLEMING

IT is time for the Meadowlands estate to have its slice of the pie. That is the message for residents of the Downpatrick estate this week from a body experienced in regenerating some of the most deprived parts of the district.

Amidst the surroundings of the new £1.5m Ballymote Centre in Downpatrick’s Model Farm, East Down Rural Community Network’s Nicholas McCrickard and Ann Grant have one message: “We’re here, and we want to help.”

Their recent survey of residents in the Meadowlands and Saul Street areas of Downpatrick indicated a number of significant, but perhaps expected, problems — anti-social behaviour, intimidation, underage drinking, fly-tipping, speeding cars and even rat infestations. And the biggest item on the wish list — more activities for young people.

Some have suggested Meadowlands is not ready for intervention from the likes of East Down Rural Community Network (EDRCN) and the Community Safety Partnership, but Nicholas and Ann disagree. Softly, softly appears to be the way forward in building up mutual trust.

“Thirty-four per cent of those surveyed were interested in volunteering in the area,” said Ann, who is a Community Development Worker with EDRCN. “That is a fantastic result.

“I was completely gladdened that the people of the Meadowlands and Saul Street area are more than willing to become involved in activities and events and volunteering in their own areas.

“Meadowlands is somewhere they choose to live, and want to live. We acknowledge there are lots of good things about it.”

Pointing to previous successes in areas such as the Flying Horse, Model Farm and New Model Farm areas over the past 10 years, Ann stresses it has been the willingness of local people to get involved which has been the catalyst for change — whether its community murals, new play parks, or the community and sport and well-being centres that are now situated in the Model Farm.

“What we have here at the Ballymote Centre was not created overnight,” agreed Nicholas, who manages EDRCN. And while not wishing to raise expectations of a similar centre in the Meadowlands, he believes there is the capacity for more community activities and a better sharing of the existing spoils among Downpatrick residents.

“Here at Ballymote we have a number of charitable groups using the centre, the health trust runs clinics in podiatry and diabetes, there are groups such as Action for Children and Sure Start, Essential Skills classes in numeracy, and also a big private sector in terms of the shopping centre,” he said. “This is the result of over 20 years of work with the local community.”

Ann hopes funding from the likes of the Inter-Estate Community Support and Leadership initiative will help to provide enhanced transport links to the Ballymote Centre from areas such as the Meadowlands, and to the new Down Arts Centre.

“A good community transport service can link all the estates,” she said. “Surely we can bring people from the Meadowlands up to the new sports centre. And we know we can find them facilities to run themselves.

“It is about getting people out and mixing. There is real potential for improvement if we can get people involved. It might take time to get things started, and we might start with a clean up of the area before looking at improving equipment and activities for the youth, and asking young people what they want to see in the area.”

Nicholas went on to say that helping residents take pride in their area was important, pointing to new housing developments in the Meadowlands becoming overgrown and unattractive due to the downturn in the market.

He also stressed that economic considerations are important for residents thinking of coming on board with Neighbourhood Renewal, suggesting it could be a case of grabbing funding opportunities while they are still there.

“The funding environment is much tighter than it was and there is a need for the Meadowlands to get in now while the whole opportunity still exists,” he said. “The money will not be around forever.

“People should not also not see volunteering as just about doing good for others. There are immense personal development benefits and benefits for your CV.”

Acknowledging some Meadowlands residents may still feel a reluctance to step forward and get involved, Nicholas stresses it is not about putting pressure on people but engaging with people.

“The police and Down District Community Safety Partnership have acknowledged there are safety issues in the area that they are addressing,” he said. “It is known that police have increased their presence in the area and our neighbourhood officers have excellent relationships in the Meadowlands. People should feel confident.

“In the main, yes, Meadowlands is in the same position as were in the Model Farm about 10 years ago. There is no immediate need for a community organisation, individuals can take part in activities, get children involved in youth activities, and in the long term a community group may emerge.

“There is a great willingness from all the statutory, voluntary and community agencies involved to help and it is up to the residents to take ownership of the area.

“We understand there are difficulties,” Ann added. “If some people feel nervous about coming forward, we ask that they simply come and find out more information.

“If anybody out there thinks they have any ideas about how to develop the area we would ask them to come forward, and we would also encourage the private sector to get involved.”

Anybody looking to assist East Down Rural Community Network can contact Ann Grant on 4461 2311.

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