The funding has been delivered by the Department for Social Development’s North West Development Office over the last few months to local organisations providing key services to some of the most deprived communities.
There are four Neighbourhood Renewal Areas in Derry, the Triax area received £735,000, Outer North £655,000, Outer West £677,000 and the Waterside £715,000. In addition groups that provide services across all four Neighbourhood Renewal Areas received £298,000.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA said:
“A significant amount of funding has now been invested in Neighbourhood Renewal in Derry. This is Government’s main strategy to improve the most disadvantaged areas in society, and the work being done is making a big difference to the lives of people living in these areas. My Department is committed to continuing to work in partnership with communities to eradicate deprivation.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. £3million has been allocated in the past five months.
2. 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. Its objectives include:
- 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.
3. Triax Neighbourhood Renewal Area covers Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan and the Fountain.
4. Outer North Neighbourhood Renewal Area covers the Greater Shantallow Area including Shantallow, Carnhill, Galliagh and Cornshell Fields.
5. Outer West Neighbourhood Renewal Area covers Ballymagroarty, Hazelbank, Rosemount and the Glen.
6. Waterside Neighbourhood Renewal Area covers Top of the Hill, Irish Street, Clooney, Tullyally, Curryneirin and part of Caw.
7. Some beneficiaries from the fund include: Irish Street Youth and Community Association, Shantallow Community Residents Association, Bogside and Brandywell Initiative, Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership, Clooney Estate Residents Association, Top of the Hill 2010, Rainbow Child & Family Centre, North West Centre for Learning and Development, Glen Development Initiative; Rosemount Resource Centre, Tullyally and District Development Group, Foyle Search & Rescue; St Joseph’s Community Playgroup, Waterside Area Partnership, Citizens Advice Bureau, Dove House Community Trust, West Bank Initiative, Creggan Pre-School & Training Trust.
8. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9490. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
