Massive boost for quality childcare in upper Springfield

A brand new childcare centre has opened at Ardmonagh, with help from funding of more than £500,000 by DSD’s Belfast Regeneration Office.

The Ardmonagh Family Centre in the Turf Lodge area of Upper Springfield can now provide quality childcare and support in a purpose-built facility for more families in the area. Services include day-care, a playgroup and after-school activities.

The project also received a grant of £222,513 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Building Quality Childcare programme and a loan from Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT).

Welcoming the centre, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie commented: “This is a wonderful new facility for the area. Local people should be rightly proud of the efforts of Ardmonagh Family Centre, which was the driving force behind the project and has been actively involved in its design and delivery. The collaboration between my Department and other key public bodies is a great example of partnership working for the good of the local community. It is at the very heart of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy which my Department is leading on behalf of Government.

“Play is vital to children’s development. That’s why it is so good that this centre has state-of-the-art amenities. I know that this will make a real difference to children in the area and will be welcomed by their parents.”

The new centre was officially opened today by the new Chief Executive of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Mr William McKee.

Breidge Gadd, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Chair, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s Building Quality Childcare programme has enabled community initiatives like Ardmonagh Family and Community Group to make a real difference to the lives of parents and children across Northern Ireland.”

“I am delighted to be associated with the launch of this important project which is paving the way for the creation of new childcare places by investing in much needed building and play facilities.”

Congratulating Ardmonagh Family and Community Group on their achievements, Brian Howe, Chief Executive of the Ulster Community Investment Trust, said: "UCIT is delighted to have its name associated with this exciting project and we look forward to an ongoing partnership with Ardmonagh Family and Community Group. The redevelopment of the Centre and expansion of their childcare services will greatly enhance the local community assisting both the social and economic regeneration of the area.”

The Childcare Centre will not only benefit over 100 children everyday, but also their families and the local community. It will provide training opportunities for young people looking for a career in childcare and it will benefit the local economy through providing much needed jobs, as well as enabling parents to seek employment in the knowledge their children are being well looked after.

Speaking at the official opening, Lily McGeough, Chairperson of the Ardmonagh Family & Community Group said: “The public funding has given a massive boost to local providers within the Upper Springfield area in the delivery of quality childcare. The Upper Springfield is an area of multi-deprivation and it is too frequently highlighted for the ‘bad news stories’; this is one story that is ‘good news’. The funding which was made available to help build this childcare facility, will have an impact for years to come; it is going to make a big difference in the future of our children.”

Laura Burns, a parent, added: “This is absolutely wonderful. My child is attending a daycentre which is nice and bright and which has plenty of space for play. It is what has been needed in this area for years.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Ardmonagh Family Centre offers a range of childcare and family support services to the public. This includes day-care, play group, afterschools activities, family access, transport and a women’s group. It is located in Turf Lodge in the Upper Springfield Neighbourhood Renewal area, one of the most disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland.
2. It has been delivering childcare since 1993 when the organisation took ownership of a small centre with a childcare service provided by Save the Children. Since that time the organisation has grown to meet the ever increasing childcare needs of the local community and beyond and it has developed an approach that sees it tackling these needs in partnership with others.
3. DSD’s funding totalled £509,855. £382,091 was provided under the DSD Action Plan Programme and is sponsored by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). £127,764 was provided under the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, which aims to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The collaboration between DSD, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, the Family Centre, the Big Lottery Fund and the Ulster Community Investment Trust is a good example of partnership working for the good of the local community.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078/07818 035258.
5. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.