Deprived areas in NI to receive £3M boost

An extra £3 million is being made available from the Local Community Fund to enable some of Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods to help themselves.

Minister for Social Development David Hanson revealed details of the funding during a visit to Rathgill Resource and Learning Centre in Bangor.

Mr Hanson said: “Rathgill Community Association is an excellent example of how local residents can help to break down the barriers that are preventing them from moving forward in society.

“With financial assistance from the Local Community Fund and support from North Down Local Strategy Partnership, the Association is transforming the Rathgill neighbourhood, establishing a resource and learning centre that has become a focal point where local people can meet friends and neighbours, get advice, improve their skills, relax and let their children play safely.

“I was delighted to hear that the community feels that its needs have been heard and are being met and that people of all ages and backgrounds are taking time out to give something back to their community. This is exactly what the Fund was set up to achieve.

“Early results indicate that it is really making a difference to people living in communities where life is particularly difficult. This third round of cash will help communities like Rathgill to develop their potential and build a strong foundation for the future.”

Rathgill has benefited from over £60,000 from the Local Community Fund during the past two years.

In addition to the Learning and Resource Centre a community garden has been developed which included the transformation of two paramilitary murals into new community murals by local young people.

Over the past two years, £5.4 million has been provided to projects that have helped to develop the skills and confidence of local people and to improve their environment.

These have included training programmes, refurbishment of community houses, landscaping of wasteland, graffiti removal, recreational equipment and schemes for young people.

(SP)