CRUN community project wins Pride of Place recognition

Causeway Rural and Urban Network,Field of Dreems, Colraine group members with (back) Ronan Foley, Chief Executive IPB, Tony O'Brien,Leas Cathaoirleach Clare County Council, Dr Christopher Moran,Chairman Co-Operation Ireland and Tom Dowling ,Chairman Pride of Place at the 12th Annual IPB Pride of Place Awards in association with Co-operation Ireland at Tracey's West County Hotel Ennis. Photograph by Eamon Ward

The project, ‘A Shared Space Project - Field of Dreams’ was nominated in the Community Innovation Category and was commended for being a unique initiative. The project, an intergenerational citizenship and arts programme targeted three groups of young people from Millburn, Knocklyn and Greenmount housing estates in Coleraine.

Congratulating everyone involved, the Mayor of Coleraine, councillor George Duddy said: “This was an ambitious project spanning eighteen months with a number of agencies working collaboratively, leaving a legacy with beneficiaries and participants of both young and old who have as a result, become more active citizens within their own communities by making positive contributions to their local neighbourhoods.

“The success of, ‘A Shared Space Project - Field of Dreams’ should be inspiring to other communities within the borough.”

Karina McCollum, Community Development, Coleraine Borough Council added, “The young people of Millburn, Knocklyn and Greenmount should be very proud of what they have achieved.

“There were three distinct elements to this programme: A reminiscence programme, which looked at the history of Ballycastle Road football club; a ‘Sports Coaching and Citizenship Programme’, which developed engagement with younger people, and an ‘Arts Programme’, which created four pieces of public art produced by young people and artist Ross Wilson.

“Underpinning the entire programme was a mediation and dialogue process looking at community planning solutions and building good relations. Coleraine Football Club became a core focus of the project which centred on addressing antisocial behaviour in the area.

Ann McNickle, Manager of CRUN said, “I was delighted to support this successful collaborative partnership, where the community and statutory organisations pooled their resources to have a successful outcome for the citizens of Coleraine and for this to be acknowledged in an all-Ireland forum is such an honour.

“Special thanks go to Andy Alcorn and Coleraine Academy and Coleraine Football Club and the artist Ross Wilson whose high level of commitment ensured the success of the project.”

The project also involved Neighbourhood Police, Coleraine Football Club and Academy, Irish Football Association, Probation Board Northern Ireland, Coleraine Policing and Community Safety Partnership and Causeway Museum Service.