Minister Ritchie launches refurbished westcourt centre

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today launched the newly refurbished Westcourt Centre in West Belfast.

The centre which benefited from a £195,000 cash injection to assist educational services was funded by the Department’s Belfast Regeneration Office.

Westcourt, based in the former Christian Brothers School at Barrack Street, used the money to refurbish the old school. The funding has also enabled the organisation to expand its current educational programmes aimed at young people who have rejected or been excluded from school, and to provide a valuable community resource for youth and multi-ethnic work.

Margaret Ritchie said: “Through its Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, my Department has recognised the fundamental importance of education in breaking the cycle of disadvantage in areas like the Falls and Shankill, that are served by this centre in Belfast. I am pleased to make this announcemtent today and look forward to seeing some of the people who benefit from this valuable resource in the future.”

Cormac McArt, Westcourt Centre Project Manager, said: "Thanks to the support of the Belfast Regeneration Office, Westcourt can now build upon its education, learning and support services and offer the facility to the local and wider community".

Notes to Editors:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.