It’s access all areas at Focuson Family

Based in the heart of the Coleraine estate, Focus on Family provides a wide range of services and programmes from its premises at Glenburn Crescent.

The centre uses five Housing Executive properties for all its activities and due to the nature of the building, much of the delivery takes place on the upstairs floor. This has meant it has been difficult to access for some people, particularly those with mobility issues or wheel-chair users.

Over the last two years, the centre has worked hard to secure the necessary access improvements to the building including a wheel-chair friendly ramp, railings, widened door frame and internal stair lift.

Volunteers organised a whole series of fund-raising events and activities for the project.

Pupils and teachers won a competition in recognition of their work at the centre and they very kindly donated the cash prize to enable the stair lift to be installed.

Following this, the Housing Executive was approached and was extremely generous and helpful in providing the external access improvements. 

The Access for Everyone Project was formally launched last Tuesday with representatives from Focus on Family, Housing Executive, Sandelford School and others. 

Jill Proctor, Centre Manager, at Focus on Family and organiser of the Access for Everyone Project said; “I want to say a massive thank you to everybody who got involved in this excellent project.

“I would like to thank Lloyds TSB Foundation for funding the weekly time to enable the Access for Everyone Project to come to fruition.”

Mark Alexander, Housing Executive Area Manager for Causeway, said: 

“The Housing Executive is delighted to have been able to help out on this project and make available the necessary resources to ensure this valuable community asset is accessible to all members of the community.

“As an organisation, we are about more than bricks and mortar, striving to bring about change in our estates.”