Newtownabbey Projects
Anderson’s Park
After considering various community projects, the residents opted for the resurfacing of the area known as ‘The Entry’ in Doagh Village. The entrance has been unadopted since Newtownabbey Borough Council replaced Antrim Borough Council, and residents felt it to be in a dangerous state. The area was resurfaced and villagers have expressed their thanks to CVNI through a letter of thanks from Doagh Community Village Association.
Ballyhenry
Following consultation with the local PSNI Crime Prevention Officer, the Group proposed the provision of security systems for the homes of vulnerable residents. The systems included personal security alarms, restrictor bars for front doors, and security marking pens. In total, 100 Personal Alarms and 120 Door Restrictor Bars were supplied to elderly residents.
Members from the Glenvarna Community Development Group were also inspired to improve their local environment after their site visit to other community projects. CVNI supplied window boxes filled with native wildflowers to sixty elderly residents. The recipients were delighted by this gesture and the boxes are displayed.
Cloughfern
Meetings held with the Rathfern Community Development group focused on the issues of crime and youth. Residents were concerned with the lack of personal safety for elderly people. As a result, the personal safety scheme introduced in Ballyhenry was extended into the Cloughfern area. CVNI worked with various organisations including the Newtownabbey Senior Citizen’s Forum and the PSNI to provide home safety equipment to one hundred elderly in the area.
The second project in the area focused on youth involvement. The Cloughfern ward has a high proportion of teens and pre-teens (29%). The group considered youth involvement in projects and took advantage of the close proximity of Carnmoney Wood. This woodland is ideal as a resource for environmental education and raising the awareness of environmental issues. The group received a selection of tools and equipment for the construction of bird and bat boxes and future environmental projects.
Kelburn Park
CVNI worked with Burnside and Community District Group to develop a project to enhance their local environment. The Group decided to hold a wildflower and bulb planting day. This intended to enhance the Burnside Walk area both aesthetically and in wildlife value. Beside the adults, more than ten local youth helped planting. This helped install a sense of pride towards their local environment. After the event, the group provided refreshments for all the volunteers, who enjoyed the team feeling of a job well done.
Monkstown
The Bleech Green Residents Association opted for a project designed to improve relationships between the adults and the youth in the area. Youths took part in a residential visit to Corrymeela, Ballycastle, along with some adults from the area. This little step helped to overcome some of the barriers between youth and adults. After the visit, the group reported a marked improvement of behaviour and attitude of the youth.
Rostulla
In Rostulla, CVNI worked with the Whiteabbey Residents Association and other local residents, to identify possible projects. As the majority of respondents to the survey stated the area was unattractive, the Group were keen to aesthetically improve the area. CVNI helped the group design a community garden involving shrub planting and the provision of seating for visitors. Unfortunately, the garden did not receive planning permission, and due to the timescale of the Initiative, no practical project happened in the area.
For further information, contact HelenTomb at Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland, Beech House, 159 Ravenhill Road, Belfast, BT6 0BP
Tel: (028) 9064 5169
Fax: (028) 9064 4409
Project funded by the EU programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II) in Northern Ireland and the Border region, administered by Armagh and District Local Strategy Partnership.