NIACRO opens new city officehead

Chief Executive, Olwen Lyner, welcomed local employers and community groups, and representatives from the Department of Justice, Probation Board for Northern Ireland, Department for Employment and Learning and Northern Ireland Prison Service, saying:

“We’re delighted to be here in the north west to celebrate the opening of our new offices and launch of our Corporate Plan with our partners and friends.

“NIACRO has a long history of working across Northern Ireland to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities, and we have established strong relationships with people and communities in the north west in delivering our services and supporting others in the delivery of theirs.

“Our corporate plan sets out our vision for the next three years, which includes developing closer links with local communities to enable them to deal more effectively with crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Minister of Justice, David Ford MLA, re-iterated this sentiment.

The Justice Minister said: “Today, here at NIACRO’s offices, I have met a wide range of people from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, who working together are achieving real change in peoples’ lives. From the employers who work with the Jobtrack programme to assist people in re-settling into the community, to the volunteers who work with the Family Links team to support people who have a loved one in custody, NIACRO has established strong links across the north west and I am happy to re-iterate the Department of Justice’s commitment to supporting their work.

“There will be many challenges to face as we deliver reform of the Prison Service, and work through the current economic downturn, but I’m confident that the sharing of resources, experiences and values will deliver the best outcomes for people across Northern Ireland.”

Mayor Kevin Campbell offered his support to all staff at the new premises.

He said: “As a representative for Derry City Council and a past member of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, I have direct experience of the valuable work of NIACRO in prioritising the root cause of crime, working to reduce the impact on individuals and communities, and further influencing policy to recognise and address the issues in a future impact reduction role.

“I am delighted that the new facilities in Queen Street will enable both workers and volunteers alike to continue to offer their services, in line with their newly launched Corporate Plan, to those most marginalised in society, and in doing so provide the steadfast improvements in community engagement they are committed to for the greater good of this city and beyond.”

NIACRO’s new offices are located at 9, Queen Street, Londonderry, BT48 7EG.