Communities Together Residential

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Many thanks to Lyn and Shauna from Ballymoney Community Resource Centre for the invite to the Communities Together Residential held the weekend of Friday 27 July. Very informative and enjoyable time was had by all involved.

Taking part were Bushmills & District Community Association, Dunseverick Community Association, the Giants Causeway Community Association, Rathlin Community Association and Ballycastle Community Development Group.

First stop was a visit to Cloughmills Incredible Edibles and Peas and Love Schemes ably presented by Patrick Frew.

Then on to Ballygally Community Development Association’s Social Enterprise shop and community centre for a tour and talk again very well delivered by Brian Kelly. (Not forgetting the fundraising workshop / getting to know each other session from Lynn).

On to the bus once more for a trip to Broughshane to meet with Jim Rainey of the Broughshane and District Community Association, once again another enjoyable and informative talk and tour.

Overall the community development theme stressed the need to keep things simple in the early stages, get local residents onboard and build local and useful partnerships. All of these projects are centred around developing not only the physical aspects of the areas but an equal emphasis is placed on the health and well-being of everyone involved.

Once again thank you to everyone involved and I very much look forward to building on the partnerships being developed, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Michael Cecil

Chair – Rathlin Development and Community Association.