Attwood praises Colin Neighbourhood Partnership

Alex Attwood, Minister for Social Development, today praised the work of the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership and its forward thinking approach to regeneration.

In particular he praised the development of the Colin Bridge Company. Speaking at the Partnership’s sixth Annual General Meeting, Minister Attwood said: "The Colin Bridge Company is an important development. It will work towards providing self sustainability for the Partnership. It will provide employment for local people and encourage pride in the area. This will be local people helping with health and social care services, environmental improvement services and the provision of other services and products to the Colin area.

“I am encouraged by the commitment of the Partnership and that of a range of other groups to the regeneration of the wider area. This is an example of local residents, political representatives, community and voluntary sector workers and private businesses working together and working with government towards the shared goal of improving the Colin neighbourhood. This is another illustration of what can be achieved by drawing our collective strengths to break the cycle of disadvantage.”

The Minister also recognised the Partnership’s work as a catalyst in the improvement of experiences and outcomes for children, young people and their families in an area with a wide range of social problems. Minister Attwood noted the work as an example of forward thinking approaches that should be emulated across the community sector.

Notes to editors:

1. The Colin Neighbourhood Partnership (CNP) was among the first neighbourhood partnerships to be established in Northern Ireland. It was established in 2004 after 2 years of preliminary work between Belfast Regional Office (BRO) of DSD and local representatives. Through a grant from BRO of £95,000 the group was able to officially set up premises in April 2005. The CNP operates from a unit at the Colin Centre off the Stewartstown Road, in the area it serves.
2. The CNP delivers projects focused on Community Development, Youth, Education and Training, Arts and Culture, Family Support, Disability programmes and Community Safety. Since April 2008, BRO has a contractual commitment with the Partnership of £640,431 per annum to support the implementation of the Colin Neighbourhood Action Plan up to March 2011.
3. The Colin Bridge Company is a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee. It will act as the trading arm for the Colin Neighbourhood Partnerships social economy projects. The Company’s articles of association will be formally signed off at the Partnerships June board meeting, which will be held immediately prior to the AGM. The Company’s object is to carry on activities which benefit the Colin Neighbourhood community and in particular (without limitation) to provide health and social care services, environmental improvement services and the provision of other services or products that will benefit the Colin Neighbourhood community.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.