Interface Forum community champions

The group’s work to develop initiatives to reduce sectarian tensions in the city and give young people alternatives struck a chord with Minister Ford, who acknowledged the work of all the groups which contribute to the Forum, by making them one of just three recipients of the inaugural Justice Awards out of 58 groups and individuals. The awards were launched in June.

Foyle interface Forum is an umbrella organisation which combines the skill and expertise of the PSNI, Youth Justice, DUP Alderman Joe Miller DUP, UUP, PRG, Apprentice Boys of Derry, Nigel Gardiner, representatives of the Housing Executive, CCI and interface workers throughout the city, who work together to devise initiatives that strive to make Londonderry a safer place for everyone.

The Justice Award was presented during a ceremony at Parliament Buildings, at which Minister Ford said: “The Justice in the Community Awards bring together people from across Northern Ireland, from different backgrounds and different walks of life, who share the same goal - making their local communities safer.

“All of them work tirelessly, often away from the glare of publicity, to help others and we should never take their investment in making a difference for granted.

“We owe all the champions and everyone who gives up their time to make our communities safer a huge debt of gratitude.”

There were 58 nominees for the award.

Among those to travel to Belfast for the ceremony was Graham Warke, who works with young people at the Cathedral youth Club in The Fountain, who said the award reflected well on the hard work that was being done across the city by community workers in places like Tullyally, Currynierin, the Top of the Hill, Irish Street, Bogside, Brandywell and The Fountain.

“The Forum meets once a month and we discuss and plan for a wide range of issues that include parades and diversionary events which take young people away from the city at times of tension.

“At there ceremony i did not think that we were going to get anything, so I was shocked, so I was shocked when they called out the Foyle Interface Forum, but when I look at it and all the work done in the city by so many people, it is well deserved because the work the Forum does helps keep people safe in the city.

“A lot of good work has gone into this and it is good to see awards like this coming to the city,” he said.