Community Premises Support

Eskra Childcare - Before

Eskra Childcare - After

Churchtown - Before

Churchtown - After

About the Project:

The aim of this programme was to offer organisations across four council areas an opportunity to make improvements by developing and improving the infrastructure of community buildings.  This programme aimed to assist organisations providing facilities for community use to become self-sustaining and offer enhanced community services.

The programme provided assistance for 29 organisations in the Fermanagh, Omagh, Limavady and Strabane council areas.  The premises which all received minor improvements or refurbishments were as follows:

• Fermanagh Council Area – Aughakillymaude Community Association, Galloon Parish Church Hall, Kinawley GAA, Maguiresbridge Orange Hall, Roscor Youth Village, Tempo Parish Church Hall and Wark Hall.
• Omagh Council Area – Drumduff and Drumnakilly, Eskra Childcare Ltd, Greencastle GAA, Mid-Ulster Enterprise Ltd, Owenkillew Community Association, Trillick Enterprise Ltd and Tyrone GAA.
• Limavady Council Area – Benedy Community Association, Burnfoot Community Development, Foreglen Community Association, Glenshane Community Association, Greysteele Enterprise Ltd, Hands that Talk, Magilligan Playgroup and St Matthew’s GAA.
• Strabane Council Area – Aughabrack Community Association, Bridgetown Orange Hall, Churchtown Community Association, Derry & Raphoe Action Ltd, Garvagh & District Hall, Lisnafin/Ardnalee Trust, Newtownstewart Leisure and Two Castles ABC.

These small scale improvements included replacement boilers, refurbishment of disabled toilets, window and door repairs, new flooring, new kitchens and provision of multi-purpose rooms and a new heating system depending on the requirement at the premise.

Progress to date:

This project has completed construction and is operational. The upgraded facilities have resulted in improved access for all, increased connectivity and cohesion between local residents and users of the various facilities and have ensured vital community services have been sustained.  A wide range of events and activities are now being maintained and extended including programmes designed to address systematic issues linked to deprivation such as childcare, employment and training.  Activities offered will contribute towards providing positive health and wellbeing through the opportunity for increasing social interaction, personal development and physical activity.

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 Community Premises project has completed construction and OBA data collection is ongoing to complete the final capital infographic.  OBA data collection is in the early stages for the final post capital infographic.