A number of housing estates in Limavady are hoping to instill a greater sense of community spirit and involvement thanks to a funding windfall from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).
A planned awareness and training campaign by the Roe Valley Residents Association and Bovalley Community Association has received a community grant of £4,000.
The groups will embark on the campaign of open days and information events for residents in a bid to create greater integration in the Hospital Lane, Drumachose, Edenmore and Anderson estates.
They also intend to produce information packs for the estates which will help signpost tenants to the staff, services and committees in both areas.
It is also hoped there will be greater uptake in creating and taking part in volunteering opportunities and programmes at both centres.
Money will also be used to provide a diverse range of training in fire safety to child protection and skills courses for the committee and volunteers in a bid to improve leadership in the areas.
NIHE manager in Limavady, Pamela Mullan, said the community grant funding would help develop partnership links between the areas of Bovalley and Roe Valley.
She added: “It will also help to address poor levels of engagement and encourage confidence so that residents can take ownership of their areas and demonstrate leadership in their communities.”
Cathy O’Kane, project co-ordinator, said the aim was to get more people involved in the community and to raise awareness about the activities that are taking place at Roe Valley and Bovalley premises.
She said the project represented a new approach to engaging volunteers, committees and the wider community in a skill and confidence building approach delivered in partnership.
She added: “Equipping people with new skills will empower them to demonstrate further leadership in their areas and our volunteers will design and facilitate their own pilot project following training with the aim of further volunteer led projects being developed in the future.”
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