Maghera cross community group receive Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

The Maghera Cross Community Link is celebrating receiving the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of its cross-community work.
Members of The Link team, from left, Pamela Hunter, Marie Muncey, Fearghal McErlean, Sara Woods, Tiegan Hunter and Claire Holmes.Members of The Link team, from left, Pamela Hunter, Marie Muncey, Fearghal McErlean, Sara Woods, Tiegan Hunter and Claire Holmes.
Members of The Link team, from left, Pamela Hunter, Marie Muncey, Fearghal McErlean, Sara Woods, Tiegan Hunter and Claire Holmes.

The group provides a place and space for children and young adults up to the age of 25 from both sides of the community to come together and interact meaningfully in a safe, neutral environment.

Since it started five years ago, The Link has worked with only a small number of volunteers and a few staff to provide social and personal development for children and young adults in the Maghera area.

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Each week more than 120 children and young people from both sides of the community attend The Link and many families are helped by the food bank.

The work the group does is unique and essential to the area and encourages youngsters to improve their life chances and sense of worth.

Ruth Watterson, Group Chairperson said: “We are delighted to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for our work in the Maghera area.

“Cross community relations have always been a big part of what we do here at Maghera Cross Community Link.

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“We work with everyone in our community to provide opportunities for all to achieve their full potential and participate in all aspects of life.

“We provide programmes for those of all ages; our International Fund for Ireland funded Personal Youth Development Programme has been extremely successful, with 44 young people enrolling on the programme, 32 of these young people are now in further education or employment.”

Ruth said the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was something The Link never thought it would receive. “Our trustees and all our volunteers are extremely delighted,” she added.

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