New MARA Project is launched in Lisburn

Deputy Mayor of Lisburn City Council, Councillor Thomas Beckett launched the new MARA Project at the TADA Rural Support Network AGM, last Thursday, at the House of Vic-ryn, Moira Road, Lisburn.
Gerald Treacy, Department of Agriculture, Lycrecia McGeary, project manager, Deputy Mayor Thomas Beckett, Siobhan O'Neill, project manager, and Edwin Poots MLA pictured at the launch of the Maximising Access in Rural Areas (MARA) project, aimed at tackling poverty and isolation in the countryside, during the TADA Rural Support Network's annual meeting at Cafe Vic-Ryn. US1446-509cd  Picture: Cliff DonaldsonGerald Treacy, Department of Agriculture, Lycrecia McGeary, project manager, Deputy Mayor Thomas Beckett, Siobhan O'Neill, project manager, and Edwin Poots MLA pictured at the launch of the Maximising Access in Rural Areas (MARA) project, aimed at tackling poverty and isolation in the countryside, during the TADA Rural Support Network's annual meeting at Cafe Vic-Ryn. US1446-509cd  Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Gerald Treacy, Department of Agriculture, Lycrecia McGeary, project manager, Deputy Mayor Thomas Beckett, Siobhan O'Neill, project manager, and Edwin Poots MLA pictured at the launch of the Maximising Access in Rural Areas (MARA) project, aimed at tackling poverty and isolation in the countryside, during the TADA Rural Support Network's annual meeting at Cafe Vic-Ryn. US1446-509cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

The aim of the MARA (Maximsing Access in Rural Areas) Project is to improve the health and well-being of rural people living in, or of risk of, poverty or social isolation by assisting them to access grants and benefits they are entitled to and services they can avail of.

Among the areas that the project will cover includes Ballymacbrennan, Ballinderry, Dromara, Drumbo, Glenavy, Hillsborough, Maghaberry, Maze, Moira.

It is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Public Health Agency (PHA).

TADA Rural Support Network have successfully managed and delivered this Project since 2012 in both Banbridge and Lisburn.

Councillor Beckett was delighted to launch the new project and reminded everyone that the MARA Project is not just about benefits.

He told the audience of the range of grants and services that the MARA Project can assist with such as: Home Energy Efficiency Improvements, Home Safety Checks, Rural Community Transport, Smartpass applications and Occupational Therapy Referrals. As a rural dweller himself, he outlined that he is well aware of the challenges faced by rural people.

Also in attendance was Edwin Poots MLA.

Mr Poots had launched the original MARA Project back in March 2012 as Health Minister along with Agriculture Minister,

Michelle O’Neill. Mr Poots talked about the success of MARA to date especially in relation to older people living alone and in isolation in the rural areas.

He re-iterated the importance of Home Safety Checks especially for rural dwellers and for people getting what they are rightfully entitled to.

Speaking at the launch, Gerard Treacy from DARD highlighted the importance of the MARA Project as part of DARD’s framework for ‘Tackling Poverty and Social Isolation’.

He announced that the overall Regional MARA Project was a success stating the overall target of 12,000 homes throughout Northern Ireland had been exceeded. He outlined the success was due to the genuine, collaborative effort of government departments, agencies and the local community and voluntary sector, working together to help address some of the problems facing the most vulnerable in our rural society.

He congratulated TADA Rural Support Network on the successful delivery of the Project in both Banbridge and Lisburn. TADA Rural Support Network urges anyone who has knowledge of vulnerable householders living in any of the areas outlined below to refer them to the Project.