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Attwood announces funding boost for Coleraine Community Development Programme

Monday, 27 September 2010

Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood today announced funding of £22,000 for a Community Development Programme in Ballysally, Coleraine.

The grant from DSD’s Neighbourhood Renewal Fund will finance the employment of two youth workers to coordinate and facilitate services as well as running costs for the Ballysally Presbyterian Church Community Development Programme.

Services provided include;

  • youth clubs,
  • a homework club and,
  • health awareness seminars.

The programme is aimed at encouraging and supporting the development of children, young people and adults in the Ballysally area who are at risk of becoming socially disadvantaged. The youth workers will engage directly with local people.

Alex Attwood said: “By supporting this project within the Ballysally Neighbourhood Renewal Area of Coleraine, my department hopes to assist the social, emotional, spiritual, physical and educational development of residents. It will provide opportunities for the people who need it most to receive the support and care they need to overcome personal difficulties and make positive life choices.”

The £22,000 announced today brings the total Neighbourhood Renewal Funding package allocated to the Ballysally project to £239,000."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out government’s 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 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.
  2. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 or 07970 976894. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.