Ritchie funds youth programme to improve financial management skills

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie formally opened Newington Credit Union’s new computer suite in Belfast today.

The new computer equipment is being used to teach young people in the area financial management skills over the summer months, so they can go back to school with essential experience.

Margaret Ritchie said: “I am pleased my department, through the Modernisation Fund Programme has been able to fund this worthwhile project for young people in disadvantaged areas of North Belfast.

“Investing time, resources and money in our young people is the only way we can grow our communities together in a shared future. Our communities are the lifeblood of our towns and cities and the young people in them need to be nurtured and educated for the future.”

The computer equipment, which was funded by the Department for Social Development at a cost of £91,000 forms part of the overall total cost of the project at £111,482.

Notes to Editors:

1. Newington Credit Union is a co-operative formed in 1967 by a group of people in the community in north Belfast with the goal of helping people to save regularly and borrow wisely. The current premises are situated at 239/243 Duncairn Gardens Belfast.

2. Newington Credit Union employs a Chief Executive Officer and full and part-time staff to look after the day to day running of the Credit Union. The Board of Directors & Committee members all work on a voluntary basis.

3. The Department for Social Development, through the Modernisation Fund Capital Programme, provided £91,000 funding towards total project costs of £111,000 to purchase computer equipment.

4. The Modernisation Fund is a £15million Capital programme which aims to support voluntary and community organisations to modernise, enabling them to become more sustainable and deliver new and better services in an era of change.

5. The Modernisation Fund is managed by the Voluntary and Community Unit (VCU) in the Department for Social Development. The Modernisation Fund Community Partnership (MFCP) delivers the Fund on behalf of VCU. The MFCP comprises three organisations:- Co-operation Ireland, Community Evaluation Northern Ireland (CENI), and Community Places (previously Community Technical Aid).

6. The programme has been broken down into three themes, based on grant award:

• Theme 1 - £9million – Pilot infrastructure Scheme (£300,000-£1.5million);
• Theme 2 - £3million - Community Facilities Improvement Scheme (£100,000 - £300,000);
• Theme 3 - £3million – Small Capital Grants (£20,000 - £100,000).

7. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.