Shantallow Community Development Receives Cash Boost

22 March 2006
SHANTALLOW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RECEIVES CASH BOOST
Greater Shantallow Area Partnership (GSAP) has secured Ł98,213 from the Department for Social Development's (DSD) Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy funds to support community development.
The funding will secure three existing posts within the Partnership to enable further support to be provided to more than 50 community organisations.
David Hanson MP, the Minister for Social Development, said: "The Greater Shantallow Area Partnership has been providing vital support to community groups for more than 10 years. This funding will ensure that this support continues.
"Through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, my Department is providing local people with the skills and tools they need to help themselves. By working in partnership with both statutory organisations and community representatives such as the Greater Shantallow Area Partnership we can make a real difference to the lives of people living within neighbourhood renewal areas."
Darren Kirby, Project Manager stated: "The Greater Shantallow Area Partnership welcomes the core funding from DSD to enable us to continue and improve our support to what is an active and vibrant Community and Voluntary sector within Greater Shantallow.
"It is clear that this sector continues to strengthen and demonstrate the dynamism and creativity required to address some of our most stubborn concerns and problems. This funding will assist GSAP in our key role of enabling and encouraging others to take action to address local needs."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Greater Shantallow Area Partnership was established in 1995 and acts as an umbrella organisation for over 50 groups within the Greater Shantallow area. It provides essential support and advice in areas such as influencing policy making, developing networks, articulating local needs, and developing community infrastructure.
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:

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.

4. For further information please contact the Information Office on 028 9082 9078.

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