The Minister was given a tour of the Bertie Peacock community building which consists of a combination of enterprise units, offices and community facilities. The centre also offers further education courses for local residents, to enable them to attain and develop skills and qualifications that could help open up new employment opportunities.
The project has been part funded by the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund and is delivered through West Bann Development Ltd.
The Minister commended the work of West Bann Development Ltd in tackling social deprivation in the area.
The Minister said: “West Bann Development Ltd has made a vital contribution to the local community over the past decade. This centre provides real and significant benefits to local people and I am glad that I have been able to provide funding to support it.”
The centre also provides a wide range of social activities, including baby yoga, gymnastics, karate, pilates, podiatry, cultural evenings and tea dances. These activities are for all ages and are aimed at promoting social inclusion and raising self esteem.
The group also employs an early years co-ordinator who, working alongside Surestart and local nurseries and playgroups, oversees provision of children’s services in the area and provides positive parenting courses, personal development courses, nurturing courses and essential skills training.
David McClarty, local MLA and Chairman of West Bann Development Ltd, said he was delighted to be able to show Ms Ritchie at first hand some of the excellent courses and activities delivered in the Centre for the benefit of the local community. Mr McClarty also thanked the Minister for the support West Bann had received from her department and welcomed her continued support to the local community.
Notes to Editors:
1. 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; and
- Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
2. Neighbourhood Renewal Areas have been created in the urban areas shown in the official deprivation measures to be among the most disadvantaged 10% of areas in Northern Ireland.
3. The 36 areas identified include 15 in Belfast, 6 in North West and 15 in other towns and cities across Northern Ireland.
4. For media enquiries contact 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.
