Community renewal schemes abound

A HIGHLY effective community regeneration scheme was set up by Coleraine Borough Council in 2009 more than a year before filming began yet there’s been no mention of the project’s success in the opening programmes.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Feb 2012, 07:56 BST

In July of 2009 the local authority launched the Coleraine Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership to tackle poverty and image problems in areas like Ballysally.

The scheme had two main goals: to give residents better access to services and opportunities “which could effect a better quality of life and prospects” and to improve “the environment and the image of the most deprived neighbourhoods so that these become attractive places to live and invest in.”

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Since that time, the project has spawned the introduction of a healthy eating cafe which acts as a meeting place for locals, a drugs and alcohol outreach programme, a family nurturing scheme, education in the community, youth clubs, church programmes, a schooling initiative for kids with social problems, adult literacy classes, a senior citizens’ club and even computer skills training.

Funding applications to Council and Stormont for additional projects are already in the pipeline and include a “Beat the Boss” style project involving local businesses and pupils from nearby schools.