23 February 2006
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING SECURES COMMUNITY POSTS FOR WATERSIDE
Six posts have been secured in the Waterside Area Partnership through £128,460 of funding from the Department for Social Development (DSD).
The Neighbourhood Renewal funding has secured community development posts alongside posts providing key support to the work of the Partnership. The Partnership supports residents' groups and community associations as they work to develop the skills and strengths of their members through social, physical and environmental projects.
Minister for Social Development David Hanson MP said: "My Department's Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy places great emphasis on people working together to help themselves and bring about real social, economic and physical improvements to their areas. This support will allow the Waterside Area Partnership to continue to encourage community groups to help make the Waterside a better place to live."
Brian Dougherty, Chairperson of the Waterside area Partnership welcomed the funding and said: "The funding provided to the Waterside Area Partnership has allowed the organisation to build on the huge amount of effective work it has carried out in the past. The team of staff can now help sustain the community infrastructure already being built in the Waterside as well as continuing to help those areas and organisations within the community and voluntary sector that require assistance. This continued support by the Department has been crucial and will be essential in improving the quality of life of Waterside residents."
The Partnership works with groups including community associations, youth groups, senior citizens groups and childcare providers. Projects carried out with support from the Partnership have included the removal of graffiti and murals, the development of new community paintings and environmental schemes. It also provides IT support to groups and helps them access funding opportunities.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Waterside Area Partnership was established in 1995 and has an established record of providing help and assistance to many living in the Waterside area. The funding award will support the project manager, four development worker posts and an IT support worker.
2. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.
3. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:
4. For further information please contact the Information Office on 028 9082 9078.
- Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
- Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
- Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
- Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
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