Regenerate to open building for community

Community development group Regenerate is to officially open a new community space next Friday.

The group has used a grant from Awards for All to refurbish a Housing Executive-owned house at Rectory Park.

The building will serve as an office for Regenerate as well as providing space for people and groups to meet.

Strategic development worker Keith McCann said the refurbishment has included the installation of a new kitchen as well as new furniture, blinds and a general freshening up.

He said, “I would like to see group such as principals and sports clubs coming together for mini conferences. One of the things we have been working on is creating a collective voice.

“It may mean a reduction in social isolation - for someone who wants to come in for a cup of tea and a chat.”

Mr McCann said that one of the issues Regenerate wants to talk about is education. He explained that a recent eight-week reading pilot scheme with Killicomaine JHS improved the reading age of pupils by one year per child.

Regenerate was responsible for the flag protocol introduced in Portadown last year and Mr McAdam said this was an example of a collective of people from different communities who came together and were empowered to take decisions for their own areas.

The building will be open Monday to Friday 9am-10pm and Saturday from 9am-5pm.

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