Childcare and Family Support Cluster
SIF provided funding of over £2.2m for the building/extension of two childcare and family support hubs that will provide an integrated approach to family support alongside the provision of quality, safe childcare. The hubs will deliver a range of services which address health, advice and education needs within wider community needs.
Project Name: | Childcare and Family Support Cluster |
|---|---|
Zone: | Belfast North |
Category: | Capital |
Social Investment Fund Outcome: | Increasing Community Services |
Status: | Operational – Construction Complete |
Funding awarded: | £2,214,364 |
About the Project
The project was developed to address the multi-faceted needs of families and children within their wider communities in Belfast North specifically with regards to pathways to employment. This cluster project involved the construction of two childcare and family support hubs, built on separate derelict sites, with the core feature being to provide an integrated approach to family support delivering a range of health, advice and education services alongside the provision of quality, safe childcare.
The Wishing Well Family Centre hub involved the development of a new building to create pre and after school places. The Ashton Centre Development Ltd (ACDL) hub involved a new Childcare Hub creating training opportunities and viable jobs helping people to enter the local job market. The project also aims to develop social investment opportunities to provide long term sustainability.
Progress to date
This project has completed construction and is operational. The provision of enhanced services and early intervention will support the local economy in the targeted areas leading to positive impacts for children, families and the wider community. The hubs provided much needed childcare in the area and strengthened the community by delivering sustainable growth in employment, meeting the need for community space as well as contributing to the physical regeneration of North Belfast.
Impacts
Monitoring and evaluation of all Social Investment Fund projects is carried out using “Outcomes Based Accountability” (OBA). Where SIF has funded capital works, the project provides quarterly “post-capital” data for a period of 3 years which details the positive impacts enabled by the capital works undertaken. The Childcare and Family Support Cluster project has completed its 3 years of post-capital monitoring. Below are the capital and post capital infographics which highlight the key impacts of the project.
