New Base ‘Drop In’ Centre for Moyle

The new building offers adults with a learning disability a bright, spacious and homely place to meet, make friends and more importantly use community facilities within their local area.

The Moyle Base had been at Ann Street in Ballycastle since 2009 when it was a partnership with Greenlight Gateway. It has now recently moved into the new building with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust leading on the service.

Garth Anderson, Head of Services for Day Support (Learning Disability) in the Northern Trust said: “This Base in Moyle is part of the ongoing modernisation and reform of day services where social inclusion and integration are fundamental.

“As part of the move to this new facility, the Patient and Client Council helped the Trust and the Base members consider the things that were important to them. Some wanted a place where they could see the town, others wanted a better kitchen and toilet facilities and some people just wanted walls painted in colours they liked.

“The new building pretty much ticks all of these boxes. I would like to thank all those who helped get the building ready and especially those who volunteered and made donations.”

Councillor Sandra Hunter, Chairman of Moyle District Council officially opened the building at an event on 3 December which was attended by members, their families, volunteers, Trust staff, local businesses, voluntary sector providers and those who support the Base.

Councillor Hunter said, “I was honoured to represent the Council and officially open the Moyle Base. The Council and the Base have a great working relationship and have jointly been able to offer members a range of activities for many years and I’m sure for many more years to come.

“I am very impressed with the new facilities and think the Base is a very worthwhile project which lets members become more involved with their local community. I would like to pay tribute to everyone that has made the new building possible and hope the members have many happy days in their new surroundings.”

If you would like to consider attending the Base yourself or make enquiries for a family member, referrals are made by your “Named Worker” with the Northern Trust. Please contact the Learning Disability Team on 028 7034 7871 (Coleraine) or 028 2566 7150 (Ballymena).