Bishop backs UK charity move to NI

He gave his support in the run up to the charity’s Northern Ireland launch event in the Waterfront on May 9 which will feature a performance from County Tyrone X Factor finalist Janet Devlin.

The Right Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe said: “Getting influential groups to engage creatively together is a key factor in transforming communities.

“From what I have seen elsewhere, ROC has the experience and the expertise to develop partnerships in Northern Ireland which will prove dynamic and effective in community transformation. I am excited by the possibilities and am pleased to offer my support.”

ROC was set up in 2004 and has seen crime and anti-social behaviour fall and fresh hope brought to some of the most deprived and challenging areas of the UK, urban and rural alike.

The charity’s main aim is to bring about community transformation by creating strategic partnerships which open up opportunities for crime and disorder reduction and improved community cohesion.

Debra Green, the founder of ROC, said: “I am very excited about the launch of ROC in Northern Ireland. We have received a very warm welcome, and I sense that this is the right time for greater collaboration for the good of our communities.

“Working together is the key to greater effectiveness and getting more done. We all want to live in safer, kinder communities and this will be achieved as each one of us makes a contribution, however small. Let’s take this opportunity to be part of this movement for change.”