• Project name: Rural Communities Connect
• Lead organisation: Rural Housing Association
• Partner organisations: Rathfriland Regeneration and Hilltown Community Association

Statement of support

Rural Housing Association’s (RHA) “Rural Communities Connect” initiative, funded through TEO’s Central Good Relations Fund is a 'pairing' project, focused on increasing the capacity of rural community leaders/ groups in Hilltown and Rathfriland to deliver good relations projects championing diversity and promoting inclusion. The project which concluded in March 2024 focused on breaking down barriers between Rathfriland and Hilltown, through the creation of a series of shared spaces/ pop-up cafes across both communities where local people could integrate and form relationships, whilst exploring both local and international culture through music, art, food etc.

RHA adopted a co-design strategy to develop the project, working alongside community leaders to conduct a community needs audit identifying potential barriers to integration. This process demonstrated there were limited opportunities for people from BME backgrounds to mix and integrate with others in their community, as well as a lack of meaningful engagement opportunities between CNR/ PUL communities. This invisible barrier to integration was multi-faceted, with issues such as funding for cross-cultural projects in the area, the language barrier for BME participants and a lack of engagement with hard-to-reach groups.

RHA worked with local leaders to design a diversity focused project which fosters more inclusive, connected communities. As part of the design process, we looked at other examples of good relations projects promoting diversity and inclusivity, including RHA’s Housing for All project in Sion Mills. Based on this model we included the addition of a mentoring element connecting community leaders in Rathfriland/ Hilltown with community leaders in Sion Mills who have experience of delivering Housing for All projects. This mentoring element was key to helping increase the capacity of local leaders to develop the skills to plan, design and deliver a good relations plan in Rathfriland/ Hilltown area ensuring a sustainable approach to good relations delivery. We also enlisted the support of local translators to help recruit and support local people from BME backgrounds.

Project delivery saw 500 participants from a diverse range of backgrounds participate in the project, most of which had never taken part in a good relations project before, participants included people from CNR/ PUL communities, Moldova, Ukraine, Rwanda, Nigeria and Estonia. Activities included a six week shared education schools project, a cross community parent and toddlers project, a pop-up cafe older persons, a shared history project exploring St Patrick’s Day and Burn’s Night, a music project exploring immigration as well as the delivery of a conversation cafe connecting people who have English as a second language as well as a series of community focused events.

The project was been a huge success, bringing together all ages from all community backgrounds. Prior to this project in the area, there were few opportunities for people from both areas to integrate and form relationships.

The relationships formed between community leaders and the mentoring support they received from both Rural Housing Association and Sion Mills Community Forum has had a lasting impact as they work together to identify more opportunities to continue working together.

Participant feedback

• “I am originally from Nigeria and moved to Newry before settling in Rathfriland, before joining the project I was anxious about how we would be accepted locally. After taking part in the project I was relieved to find that everyone was welcoming and friendly. I felt accepted and included.”
• “The Burns Supper was really warmly received in Hilltown. As a cross-community event it was probably the most successful and well received I’ve ever come across. It was unthreatening without losing the authenticity at its heart. Thanks, and congratulations everybody on such a warm and welcoming introduction to the Burn’s Night tradition”

Outcomes and achievements

This project engaged 500 people across Hilltown, Rathfriland and surrounding rural areas, including, CNR, PUL and BME communities. Survey data indicated positive attitudinal change with over 90 per cent of participants forming positive relationships with others from a different community background.

The project opened up shared spaces to a diverse range of people previously not engaged in good relations activities. By creating inclusive spaces for participants to meet and form relationships it has created more cohesive communities as residents from Hilltown and Rathfriland feel comfortable visiting each other towns and using community facilities in areas they previously wouldn't have (evidenced through survey data).

By engaging the support of a local translators, pop-up cultural cafes engaged a wide section of the local BME community many of which had never taken part in a community relations project before. These cafes provided a space where the BME community could share food, music and dance from their culture. This element of the project was extended with community leaders continuing to support the local BME community through a series of English classes and social events.

At this year’s CRCNI Good Relations Awards 2024 The Rural Communities Connect project was named runner up in the Connecting Communities project category, a huge achievement for Rathfriland Regeneration/ Hilltown Community Association's first good relations project.

• Project name: Championing Diversity and Inclusive Communities in Sruthan Na Sailí Estate, Killarney, Co Kerry
• Lead organisation: Clúid Housing

Statement of support

Sruthan Na Sailí is a Clúid built development comprising of 65 houses and 18 apartments located 2km from Killarney town. It is nestled within and a mixed tenure development of local authority and private homes. The area has a broad mixed tenure occupancy.

Residents here moved into their new homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This new community is particularly diverse, with over 40 per cent of the households including non-Irish nationals – the 2016 census showed that just 11 per cent of the population of Kerry were non-Irish nationals.

While this diversity created immense potential for community enrichment it also presented challenges such as limited neighbourly interaction and low cultural awareness. These were compounded by the restrictions and fear brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered the fostering of community spirit in the crucial early weeks and months of the new residents moving in.

Through conversations and feedback from a dedicated resident focus group, the Clúid team identified several challenges impeding community cohesion. These included social isolation, limited interaction among neighbours, and a lack of understanding and appreciation for the diverse cultural backgrounds within the estate.

To address these challenges, the team successfully applied for funding from the HFA Social Investment Fund and partnered with an external facilitator to co-develop a series of workshops and events.

These initiatives focused on community development and leadership aiming to:

• Foster a strong sense of community spirit.
• Promote inclusion and integration across cultural groups.
• Strengthen relationships with key stakeholders including public representatives, An Garda Siochana, the local authority, the established Ballydribeen Residents Association.

One workshop proposed a painted mural project to celebrate the nationalities represented within the estate. Residents contributed by identifying national animals, birds, flowers, and landmarks, which were incorporated into mural designs for the boundary walls at the estate’s entrance. Local artist Deborah O’Keeffe brought these designs to life, creating vibrant, detailed murals representing Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Poland, England, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Thailand.

Another significant milestone was the Sruthan Na Sailí Neighbours’ Day facilitated by Cluid on completion of the project. The event saw residents come together and represented the culmination of the work completed through the workshops and mural projects. It showcased the progress made in fostering positive relationships and friendships among residents. More importantly, it highlighted the seamless integration of children from diverse backgrounds, interacting with no visible differences and building lasting connections. This event laid a strong foundation for continued collaboration and unity among residents, ensuring the community's long-term success and cohesion.

Outcomes and achievements

This project highlights how thoughtful community initiatives can turn challenges into opportunities, building a vibrant, diverse community where all residents can flourish.

Empowered residents

Several residents gained confidence to lead within their community. They joined a subcommittee to advocate and fundraise for a new playground on the Ballydribeen site. They also collaborated with Gardaí to establish on-site clinics in the shared community house, addressing concerns and reducing anti-social behaviour.

Social inclusion

Open conversations among neighbours resolved local issues, particularly around children’s play, fostering mutual understanding and practical solutions. These efforts created a more harmonious living environment for all.

Cultural pride

The mural project celebrated the estate’s diversity. Residents worked with artist Deborah O’Keeffe to ensure all nationalities were represented, creating vibrant murals that now stand as a lasting monument to their unity. The Neighbours’ Day brought cultures together in a joyful celebration, further strengthening bonds.

Sustainable development

The initiatives align with Clúid’s mission to create sustainable communities. Empowered leaders are now driving the completion of a new playground in partnership with the adjoining community association and local stakeholders located near the Derreen Sports Complex on council-provided land. These efforts serve as a model for fostering inclusive and thriving neighbourhoods.

• Project name: Portstewart Connecting Our Community
• Lead organisation: Radius Housing Association
• Partner organisation: Portstewart Community Association

Statement of support

Portstewart Community Association (PCA) is a charitable organisation, run entirely by volunteers. Formed in 1970, they have continued to grow their membership and scope of work organising and implementing a wide range of events and activities for the benefit of the local community and visitors to Portstewart. PCA positively engage with all sections of the community, continuously reviewing and evaluating work. They are entirely responsible for organising and running the famous Red Sails Festival, a weeklong programme held in July which attracts visitors from all over Ireland and beyond to Portstewart.

Since 2021 they have been members of the Cappagh Green Housing for All Advisory Group and have worked closely with Radius Housing Association to deliver an extended programme of activities in the local area. Members of PCA also:

• Support Portstewart Trader’s Association
• Attend CCGBC Town Forum meetings
• Serve on the National Trust Beach Forum.

Red Sails Festival | 21-27 July 2024

There were seven days packed full of almost 100 cultural music, dance and children’s workshops, including a family event at Cappagh Green. Events included Blessing of the Boats Ceremony (a reminder of the rich fishing tradition of the town), sand competition, art exhibition, music recitals and events, dog show, Kidz Farm, local historical walking tours and talks.

BBC Radio Ulster’s Vinny and Cate Show broadcast live from Portstewart Strand. Events were organised in several new venues across the town this year to attract as wide an audience as possible. PCA paired with the National Trust and the Mae Murray Foundation to provide inclusive activities on the Strand. Other partners included Ulster Wildlife, PSNI, Community Rescue Service, local churches and Flowerfield Arts Centre.

Radius were the key sponsor of this festival and supported the group through the design of the brochure. A range of other funders and local traders supported this much-loved community festival. PCA also raised money from street collections and a raffle.

Other activities provided by PCA include:

Monthly litter picks

Held the third Saturday of each month. The aim is to encourage more residents to take part and continue to keep the town tidy and litter free. This has also been a great way in which to develop relationships with newcomer families to the town with several Syrian families regularly attending. Radius provided litter pick equipment to support this initiative.

Board games nights

Winter board games evenings held from January to March 2024 to foster social interaction and community engagement in the winter months when residents can feel isolated and lonely. These events will commence again this month.

Christmas activities

Lantern Light Up - 9 December 2024 - Lantern walk with Christmas carols for the annual town Christmas lights switch on ceremony, bringing the residents of Portstewart together for this annual event.

Annual Children’s Cross community party -19 December 2024

Work with Syrian Families

Since 2019 several Syrian refugee families have come to live in Portstewart. PCA has helped these families settle by engaging them with local people during litter picks, walks which empathise conversational English, the Threads of Culture programme for women (funded by Radius), as well as providing some help with education, health, housing and home office forms.

2025

Following consultation PCA are currently planning new events for 2025 which include a Couch to 5K event. They are also widening the boards game night to include chatty café with free refreshments.

Outcomes and achievements

The scope of work and impact that PCA achieves is outstanding given that they are all volunteers and fundraise to run all events. Members foster amazing community spirit through addressing community need and promoting inclusivity. The fantastic support they receive from the local community through attendance at events, support from local traders, and the range of voluntary and statutory organisations they engage with are testimony to their hard work and dedication to making Portstewart a great place to live, work and visit

Portstewart was voted Sunday Time’s Best Place to Live in Northern Ireland, this is in no small part due to the work of PCA. Judges remarked on its ‘community spirit’ and ‘interesting cultural scene’, also ‘beach cleans litter picks and the volunteers behind the annual Red Sails Festival are just a few examples of the local pride that’s always on display’.

• PCA
  • 17 committee members
  • Members spend up to three hours/week on PCA business
  • 60 volunteers who help with activities.
• Red Sails Festival 2024
  • Seven-day festival: 10:00am-11:00pm each day
  • 80 activities
  • Over 4,000 people attended
  • 60 volunteers
  • Eight local partner organisations.
• 12 monthly litter picks
  • 25 regular volunteers.
• Game nights
  • Six events.
• Lantern Light Up
  • Two primary schools
  • Six workshops
  • Over 200 attendees.

• Project name: Burnvale Community Association
• Lead organisation: Radius Housing
• Partner organisation: Burnvale Community Association

Statement of support

Burnvale Crescent, Cookstown was one of the first 10 T:BUC shared housing developments in Northern Ireland. Burnvale Community Association was established in 2017 with members from the new tenants living in Burnvale Crescent. They have worked closely with Radius Housing to develop their capacity, increase good relations and implement a wide range of events and activities for the residents of Burnvale Crescent and the wider Cookstown area. More recently Ruairi Cummings, chair Burnvale Community Association has been instrumental in collaborating with Radius Housing staff to tackle issues in relation to anti-social behaviour. He has led on a number of initiatives that have helped to completely mitigate ASB and transform the culture of the scheme into a warm, inviting and safe place to live for all tenants regardless of their age, race, religious belief or sexual orientation.

From 2020 they have been active members of the Cookstown Housing for All Advisory Group and their input to that group has shaped the way Radius has delivered programmes and activities to address the needs of not only their tenants but the wider Cookstown Community. The group now fundraise for and organise events with minimal support from Radius. They go out of their way to make newcomer families to Cookstown feel welcomed and safe and have been a driving force in making Burnvale Crescent a more inclusive place to live. They have attracted young people to be actively involved in the community and act as peer mentors. BCA work with a range of voluntary and statutory agencies with members sitting on the Cookstown interagency group. They also work closely with Mid Ulster District Council and the PSNI to address anti-social in the area.

Cookstown Cultural Parade

The group partnered with Radius Housing, Clanmil Housing, The Hub (a local community organisation) and Apex Music Centre to deliver Cookstown’s first Cultural Parade. The parade, which marked Good Relations Week was a celebration of the many cultures that make up the community in Cookstown and the wider Tyrone area. The parade finished off in Burnvale Crescent where all the groups who took part in the parade put on a fantastic show on stage of music and dance.

A group of young people spent several weeks learning how to play the Samba drums to participate in the parade. The Cookstown Samba Band was established and since then members have enjoyed playing in many venues.

Other activities provided by BCA include:

Litter picks

Regular litter pics bring residents together to continue to keep the development tidy and litter free.

Community artwork project

This involved the young people designing pieces of artwork to brighten up the development.

Entrance welcome artwork piece

Residents have worked with a local artist to design an entrance piece celebrating the history and identity of Burnvale Crescent.

Community garden

BCA are in the process of turning a piece of waste ground within the development into a community garden. Radius are working closely with tenants to ensure a legacy of the Shared Housing Programme.

Christmas events

Santa at Burnvale Crescent - Santa arrived in his motorised sleigh, and tenants enjoyed a ride on the sleigh and a chance to meet Santa, Mrs Clause and the elves and receive a small gift.

Santa’s Grotto event at the local community centre for the wider Cookstown community. Families could meet Santa receive a small present.

• Ruairi Cummings, chair Burnvale Community Association: “We know that our work has made a real difference to the local community. The support we get from Radius alongside donations from local business really allow us to make an impact on the ground. “

Outcomes and achievements

BCA are made up of a diverse mix of eight Radius tenants from a range of backgrounds. They work selflessly for the benefit of other tenants within Burnvale Crescent and the wider Cookstown area building community, encouraging people to take pride in and respect their area, working to address loneliness and social isolation and tackle head on anti-social behaviour in the area.

• Cookstown Culture Parade
  • 4 partner organisations
  • 400+ people attending
  • 10 tenant volunteers from Burnvale Crescent
  • First cultural parade in Cookstown
  • Young people learnt a new skill
  • Creation of Cookstown Samba Band
• Litter picks 2024
  • 4 litter picks
  • 15 volunteers involved
• Youth Community Artwork 2024
  • 28 young people involved
  • 5 members of BCA volunteering
• Christmas events 2024
  • Over 200 people attending both events
  • 5 members of BCA volunteering

Key learnings included:

• The benefits of starting small and getting community buy-in.
• The possibilities that a small group of people can make a difference.
• The importance of connecting in with tenants and local decision-makers to achieve longer term success and make a long-lasting difference.

• Project name: Empowering the African and Caribbean community
• Lead organisation: Apex Housing Association
• Partner organisation: African Caribbean Community Network

Statement of support

Over the last year, more than 30,000 people came to live in Northern Ireland and excluding Belfast, the Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) area was the main area where people settled. The community structures in the city required development to support these newcomers. Whilst there are two umbrella groups in Derry/Londonderry representing migrants, the diverse cultures and traditions of these populations often made it challenging for some to engage.

Recognising this, Apex took proactive steps to empower first-generation African and Caribbean people, including staff and tenants of Apex as well as the wider community. Doreen Murugi, an Apex staff member, tirelessly supported African and Caribbean newcomers despite having limited resources. Acknowledging the difficulties of newcomers in settling into the North West, we identified the need for a dedicated group to support the African and Caribbean community's specific needs.

In October 2023, Apex supported Doreen in establishing the African Caribbean Community Network (ACCN) through the ‘Housing for All’ shared housing programme. With Apex's assistance, the group set up governance structures, obtained insurance and established a bank account. ACCN has since applied for charitable status and holds monthly support meetings with Apex. The group has become a vital part of the North West community, ensuring the African and Caribbean community's voice is heard and respected.

ACCN's efforts have been instrumental in building a sustainable and inclusive community through various impactful projects and events. It has promoted understanding and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds among local people and different African and Caribbean countries. Since its formation, ACCN has addressed issues specific to the African and Caribbean community that could not be effectively managed by those unfamiliar with their culture.

Since the establishment of ACCN, Apex has supported the network to deliver several initiatives, including:

• A telephone support line, which receives more than 250 calls every month from African and Caribbean people. ACCN has built a wide network of contacts, providing support and signposting to existing services such as housing advice, GP registration, school access and culturally appropriate products.
• Helping group members obtain childcare qualifications, addressing a significant barrier to women's employment.
• An Easter celebration that introduced African and Caribbean cultural traditions to a broader audience, integrating local customs such as the Easter egg and Easter bunny to promote inclusivity and shared experiences.
• The launch of the 'Becoming Culturally Competent' guidelines.
• A World African Day celebration at St Columb’s Hall, showcasing African culture through music, dance, storytelling and food. This event highlighted the richness of African traditions and encouraged the local community to engage and appreciate diversity.
• Initiating a women's group to empower women through education on rights and employment opportunities. This group has collaborated with organisations addressing critical issues such as female genital mutilation and domestic abuse.

Apex has also worked with ACCN to develop its strategy and various subgroups, including the Women's Group, the Health Care Workers’ Group and the Young People’s Group, ensuring targeted services for different demographics.

Chair of ACCN, Kingsley Agoha, said:

• “Without the encouragement and support of Apex, the African Caribbean Community Network would not have been able to establish itself and grow as it has over the last year. We are now providing vital support and a voice for the African Caribbean community in the North West, whilst celebrating and sharing our culture with local communities.”

Chief executive of Apex, Sheena McCallion, said:

• “At Apex, we pride ourselves on delivering more than housing. Working with community partners, staff and tenants, we strive to create real empowerment within communities. By supporting groups to establish structures and design and deliver their own projects, long term sustainability is created. It has been our honour to support the aims and activities of ACCN over the last year.”

Outcomes and achievements

The African Caribbean Community Network (ACCN) is now well established and applied for charitable status in September 2024. The network has a fully managed bank account and has established several subgroups, including:

• A women's group that has grown from five members to over 200 members.
• A healthcare group supporting 113 members working in the sector.
• A youth group with 44 members.

The World Africa Day event attracted 2,100 attendees, filling St Columb’s Hall in Derry/Londonderry to capacity. The event was attended by MPs, MLAs, and the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, and featured on UTV.

Additionally, a recent Christmas celebration brought together over 500 individuals from various backgrounds, facilitating understanding and integration.

Former Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Cllr Patricia Logue, said:

• “Through these efforts, Apex and ACCN have created a vibrant, inclusive community where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”