Newcastle group in line for award

Newcastle group in line for award

7 August 2013

A NEWCASTLE facility which focuses on helping young people, adults and providing community development is in the running for a prestigious award.

Last week, the Kairos Centre located at Donard Street in the resort, was visited by judges from the prestigious IPB All Island Pride of Place Competition in association with Co-operation Ireland.

The judges heard first hand about the inspiring work Kairos does in helping and supporting people in the local community.

The local voluntary organisation was given the opportunity to convey to judges why it should win an IPB Pride of Place Award, having been nominated to participate in the annual competition by Down Council.

Judges William Beattie and Terry O’Niadh were welcomed to the Kairos Centre by the chairman of its management committee, Winsor Bell and local authority vice-chairman Gareth Sharvin.

During their visit, the judges received a presentation on the role of Kairos and the range of work it undertakes to encourage enterprise and to engage and help the district’s youth.

They were also given a tour of the Newcastle facility and its outreach facilities, and were introduced to the Centre’s management committee, volunteers, service users and representatives of the various organisations they work with.

The judges were also keen to discuss the valuable contribution the Kairos Centre makes to supporting enterprise and youth in the area.

Councillor Sharvin said Down Council fully supports the Kairos Centre for striving to achieve the prestigious award.

He said the facility’s commitment to helping young people and adults through community developments and partnerships including caring for young people on the streets, neighbourhood clean-ups and helping disadvantaged people to be rehomed, is highly commendable.

Councillor Sharvin added: “It’s clear that Kairos work tirelessly to improve our local surroundings for the good of our citizens. They are a true example of what the Pride of Place competition stands for.”

The Newcastle Centre will find out later in the year at a gala dinner and awards ceremony hosted by IPB Mutual Insurances Ltd and Co-operation Ireland if it has been successful.