News Release Page Title

18 MAY 2005

£3 MILLION BOOST FOR DEPRIVED AREAS

An extra £3 million is being made available from the Local Community Fund to enable some of Northern Ireland's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods to help themselves. News of the funding was revealed by the new Minister for Social Development, David Hanson MP, during a visit to Rathgill Resource and Learning Centre in Bangor.

Over the past two years, £5.4 million has been provided to projects that have helped to develop the skills and confidence of local people and to improve their environment. These have included training programmes, refurbishment of community houses, landscaping of waste land, removal of graffiti, recreational equipment and schemes for young people.

Mr Hanson said: "Rathgill Community Association is an excellent example of how local residents can help to break down the barriers that are preventing them from moving forward in society.

"With financial assistance from the Local Community Fund and support from North Down Local Strategy Partnership, the Association is transforming the Rathgill neighbourhood, establishing a resource and learning centre that has become a focal point where local people can meet friends and neighbours, get advice, improve their skills, relax and let their children play safely.

"I was delighted to hear that the community feels that its needs have been heard and are being met and that people of all ages and backgrounds are taking time out to give something back to their community. This is exactly what the Fund was set up to achieve. "Early results indicate that it is really making a difference to people living in communities where life is particularly difficult. This third round of cash will help communities like Rathgill to develop their potential and build a strong foundation for the future."

Rathgill has benefited from over £60k from the Local Community Fund during the past two years. In addition to the Learning and Resource Centre a community garden has been developed which included the transformation of two paramilitary murals into new community murals by local young people.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Local Community Fund was launched by the Department for Social Development in February 2003 aimed at improving the capacity and leadership in communities of weak infrastructure throughout Northern Ireland.
  2. The objectives of the Local Community Fund are:
    • To develop community capacity and leadership;
    • To promote partnership working, both within and between communities;
    • To help communities to improve their local environments:
    • To develop intervention programmes and young people; and
    • To encourage more active participation by women in local community services.
  3. Forty eight areas throughout Northern Ireland will receive funding. These are Bowtown Estate (£52,340), Lower Shankill (£61,920), Brown Square (£6,990), Inner East (£456,240), Clonard (£89,810),Beechmount/Cavendish (£89,000), Village (£152,310), Glencairn (£93,210), Highfield (£55,780), Finaghy (£71,115), Sunnylands (£79,495), Greenisland/Gortalee (£92,555), Tullycarnet (£69,260), Ballysally (£73,935), The Heights (£50,640), Stewartstown (£42,530), Parkmore (£19,315), Foylehill/Creggan (£39,250), Top of the Hill/Gobnascale (£47,900), Shantallow (£108,430), Glen Estate (38,360), Curryneirin and Tullyally (£60,380), Clooney (£43,420), Irish Street (£27,620), Lettershandoney £21,900), Ballymagroarty/Hazelbank (£131,145), Model Farm Estate £25,960), Flying Horse Estate (£28,200), Shimna Ward (£64,430), Ballysaggart (£106,110) ,Riverdale (£22,370), Glen Estate & Hospital Lane (£63,120), Ballycastle Town (£39,090), Carnagat (£5,950), Newtownhamilton Village (£15,450), Derrybeg (£27,080), Glenvarna/Queens Park Estates (£60,915), Rathgill (£36,620), Harbour Ward (£92,555), Carrickmore (£29,860), Fintona (£37,700), Glenderg Ward (£95,530), Lisnafin (£59,370)and Ballycolman (£114,840).
  4. Further details of the Fund are available from Angela Clarke, VCU, Department for Social Development, Level 3, Lighthouse Building, Gasworks Business Park, Ormeau Road, Belfast. Tel: 028 9082 9434.
  5. Rathgill Community Association - Contact person: Karen Worrall 028 147 7602.
  6. North Down Local Strategy Partnership - Contact person: Jan Nixey 028 9127 8028.
  7. For media enquiries please contact Dara Cosgrove on 028 9082 9078.

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