New childcare centre offers job prospects for parents

Parents in the Greater Shankill area will have the opportunity to return to employment or training when they avail of new childcare facilities.

Economy Minister Arlene Foster officially opened a new social economy business, Small Wonders Childcare, in the Greater Shankill area of West Belfast, today.

The new business, established by the Shankill Women’s Centre, will contribute to the economic regeneration of the area by securing up to 12 full-time jobs and providing up to 24 full-time childcare places.

The Small Wonders Childcare facility was fully renovated at a cost of almost £425,000, funded by the Belfast Local Strategy Partnership through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. Belfast City Council provided the land and funding for an Economic Development Officer.

Other providers of financial support include Invest Northern Ireland, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Lloyds Foundation and the PSNI. Valuable mentoring and guidance was provided by Workwest and Groundwork NI.

Speaking at the official opening of the facility, the minister said: “The social economy in Northern Ireland contributes to the regeneration of areas of high social need by generating sources of income, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and helping to create sustainable and cohesive communities.

“This particular enterprise will make it possible for more people to re-enter education and the workforce, and gain valuable skills and qualifications necessary for higher quality career opportunities.

“Invest Northern Ireland has helped to develop the social economy sector in recent years through its Social Entrepreneurship Programme, and continues to work with social enterprises to support sustained growth and ensure an even greater contribution to the wealth of the whole economy.

“By operating Small Wonders Childcare as a business, it can deliver much needed high quality, efficient services to local people.

Betty Carlisle, Manager of the Shankill Women’s Centre, said: “The opening of our new children’s day-care facility represents significant progress for the social economy in the Lower Shankill area. We have turned a derelict damaged building into a state of the art childcare facility which will provide a range of quality services for local children of unemployed people seeking to return to work or education.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Shankill Women’s Centre was established in 1987 by a group of local women to run education classes dedicated for women. Originally located in ‘The Hummingbird’ on the Shankill Road, the centre formed the first community and statutory partnership of its kind when it moved to the Shankill Centre with the North and West Belfast Health & Social Services Trust on Agnes Street.

2. The Shankill Women's Centre is a key provider for training, health awareness, childcare and young                    women’s activities in the Greater Shankill and beyond.

3. Invest NI offered £5,000 start-up support and capability support to Small Wonders Childcare, including help     with the business plan and other start up issues.

4. Belfast Local Strategy Partnership offered £423,643 to Small Wonders Childcare.

5. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland offered £49,999 to Small Wonders Childcare.

6. Belfast City Council offered £20,000 to Small Wonders Childcare.

7. Lloyds TSB Foundation offered £5,000 to Small Wonders Childcare.

8. PSNI offered £500 to Small Wonders Childcare.

9. For media enquiries, please contact DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please            contact the Duty Press Officer via pager Number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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