Minister learns about how community partnership benefits local children

North Belfast MLA and Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland, has learned how a partnership between children’s charity Barnardo’s and local schools has had a big impact on education underachievement in the Rathcoole area.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Aug 2014, 09:48 BST
Social Development Minister Nelson McClausland and Lynda Wilson, Director of Barnardo's NI, joinging in the fun with Erin and Colleen. INNT 35-502-SOSocial Development Minister Nelson McClausland and Lynda Wilson, Director of Barnardo's NI, joinging in the fun with Erin and Colleen. INNT 35-502-SO
Social Development Minister Nelson McClausland and Lynda Wilson, Director of Barnardo's NI, joinging in the fun with Erin and Colleen. INNT 35-502-SO

Mr McCausland recently visited Barnardo’s Newtownabbey Family Connections programme which works with four local schools: Newtownabbey High School, Whitehouse PS, Abbots Cross PS and Rathcoole PS.

The programme, which has been running for five years, aims to support families to live and learn well through a range of family support and parenting programmes as well as after-school and education support. The Minister met with children and families taking part in the Family Learning summer programme.

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Barnardo’s Newtownabbey Family Connections manager, Clare Humphrey, said: “We have established strong connections with the local schools and communities over the past five years and have been able to see real progress for the children and families we support. We were delighted to welcome local MLA and Social Development Minister McCausland to show the positive impact we have been able to make in partnership with the local schools on education

underachievement in the Rathcoole area.”

Related topics:Barnardo