Minister Ritchie praises ‘Adopt a School’ Scheme in Ballymena

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today visited Ballee Community High School to view progress on the work between the school and Business in the Community.

Through her Department’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, funding was secured for the ‘Adopt a School’ project which focuses on the links between business and education.

The Minister said: “The Adopt a School project plays a key role in ensuring that the children in this area of Ballymena have the chance to improve skills and educational attainment. The project will help build valuable relationships between the school and local business.

“The programme has ensured that pupils have the opportunity to develop the qualifications and skills required to choose and follow a career path to employment within local industry.”

John McGregor, Director with Business in the Community said: "Members of the North Eastern Business Leadership Network have fully embraced the adopt a school programme and should be commended for proactively addressing the issues of employability and learning in their local schools. Business in the Community is proud to be involved with a partnership responsible for delivering positive change in Ballymena."

The Adopt a School project, which secured £6,160 funding through the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal programme, raises awareness of career path opportunities for students. It provides learning opportunities and informs future study choices for children from Ballymena’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The project utilises the expertise of the business community for the enrichment and improvement of the education provision in the Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Area. Students will be encouraged to become life long learners and socially responsible.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy “People and Places,” which was published in June 2003, sets out governments proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

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 the areas;
• Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy;
• Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe, and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods; and
• 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.

2. Since January 2004, £3,400,173 has been spent on projects in the Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Area from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The most significant projects include:

• Environmental Improvements including street lighting, traffic calming and footpath repairs - £395,521
• Business Units in Ballykeel - £270,825
• Community Sport Programme - £119,021
• Ballee Childcare Project - £214,065
• Ballymena Citizenship and Employability Project - £243,144

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