£1m initiative to aid local communities

£1m initiative to aid local communities

30 November 2011 - by DAVID TELFORD

DOWNPATRICK has received a £1m funding boost to finance a number of new initiatives over the next four years.

The cash is being made available by the Department for Social Development (DSD), South Eastern Trust and Down Council, with the new measures designed to improve health and employability and support community development.

The projects include a parenting support programme, including early years interventions, and offering assistance to vulnerable families. It will be delivered by the SureStart organisation.

The South Eastern Regional College is providing a one year pilot job taster programme, while the £1m will also be used to provide a programme to assist local community groups to organise activities.

Details of the cash investment which will be targeted at Downpatrick’s neighbourhood renewal area — which includes the Flying Horse, Model Farm and New model Farm housing estates — was announced last week by Stormont Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland.

He said the new projects will build on previous successes in the area which included the refurbishment and extension of the Ballymote Centre.

“These projects span the full spectrum of community, physical, economic and social renewal which are the four strategic objectives of the neighbourhood renewal strategy.

“They are a clear example of how we can tackle and assist regeneration through a partnership approach involving public, private and community sectors. I congratulate all those involved in their development,” said Mr. McCausland.

The Minister also revealed the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Partnership is also in the process of bringing forward a further raft of programmes aimed at providing early support for children entering school, giving young people a chance to try out business ideas, a family learning project to help parents of young children with speech and language difficulties, provide fitness and sports coaching and a community gardens project.

Down Council vice-chairman Liam Johnston thanked the DSD for its support and guidance to the Partnership and acknowledged the “significant contribution” made by the Partnership’s members.

Rita Rogan, the Partnership’s vice-chairwoman, explained representatives of local community groups have been working closely with statutory sector organisations to identify needs in the area and have projects put in place that will have a positive impact on people’s lives.

She added: “These projects are now in place to help people get a better chance in life, school and in the job market. These new opportunities for residents in the neighbourhood renewal area should not be missed.”