Ritchie announces measures to assist Lammy residents

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie has announced £32,149 funding for a special project to address social issues associated with the Lammy Crescent tragedy in Omagh.

The initiative has been developed in consultation with the community development worker for the area, the Western Education and Library Board and Omagh Women’s Aid.

While visiting the area Margaret Ritchie said: “I met local people from Lammy after the tragedy that occurred there I was determined to support meaningful measures that would provide some assistance for them, particularly for women and children.

“I am now delighted to provide funding of £32,149 through my Department to meet this objective. The main aim of the project is to provide discreet assistance for women and children who may feel under threat from domestic violence.

“However, recognising the needs of the wider community it will also make provision to enhance youth services in the West of Omagh and the production of an Action Plan to guide community development in the area over the next 10 years.”

The project will provide furniture and equipment at the Omagh Women’s Aid Refuge. A Helping Hands programme, which addresses issues of bullying and domestic violence,will be delivered by Omagh Women’s Aid to local primary school children. A dedicated youth venue will be provided within the OmaWest community venue at Strule Park and the WELB will deliver an accredited training programme to 15 young people. The final element of the project is to undertake a needs assessment within the wider area and develop a strategic action plan to guide community development in the West of Omagh over the next ten years.

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. 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.

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