Leading Troubles victims’ group SEFF opens latest regional office

The Lisnaskea based group, originally founded to support victims and survivors of the Troubles in Fermanagh, has been so effective that it has expanded further afield, now running offices in London, Rathfriland, Bessbrook, Newtownstewart and supporting people right across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

With 30 staff, it directly supports around 2,200 indiviauls with an average 7000 per year engaging with services.

This week the organisation launched its East Region Gateway service in Lisburn, the event being attended by the Victims and Survivors Service, Victims Commission, partner organisations, church and political leaders and victims and survivors themselves from across the Lisburn and wider area.

SEFF’s Director of Services Kenny Donaldson said the opening was “another milestone in the development of the SEFF organisation as we formally launch a physical office presence in the East Region of Northern Ireland”.

He added: “SEFF has a substantive membership within the East Region, and it was necessary for us to offer an outreach service, ensuring that victims/survivors can receive the full benefits of SEFF’s support services.

“Lisburn and the broader hinterlands is an area that has not had any real focus down the years in terms of services for victims and survivors of ‘The Troubles’. There is immense potential to service unmet need and to afford opportunities to many who have felt forgotten to belatedly have access to the support that others across Northern Ireland are able to receive”.

He said the launch was “very much a victim centred occasion” with “innocent victims and survivors of, both republican and loyalist terrorism forming the centre of the programme”.

However he acknowledged that SEFF are “not soloists” and wants to work with like minded organisations and individuals in supporting victims across the region.

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