As we look back on another successful ‘Good Relations Week’ filled with events, activities and initiatives aimed at developing and sustaining healthy shared communities, it is important to highlight the impact these programmes are having on local communities and the importance of consistently delivering on this commitment throughout the year, every year.
Choice Housing plays a key role in the delivery of the Department for Communities' ‘Housing for All programme’ – creating communities through diversity and inclusivity. With six shared housing schemes across Northern Ireland, Choice has demonstrated the impact these schemes can have for the benefits of the local communities. Focusing on the needs of the local community and using this to bring local residents and communities together can bring significant benefits to the area and peoples lives.
A key element of much of the good relations work carried out across Choice schemes is identifying gaps in services and challenges that the local community are facing and using this to develop tailored projects that support these areas.
Collaborating with partners and other organisations is another key element of delivering beneficial community relations.
During Good Relations Week in September of this year, a partnership between Choice Housing and Galbally Runners brought 400 runners together in Dungannon Town Centre to participate in the inaugural ‘One Mile Road Relay’. The event, which was organised by Galbally Runners, in association with Choice Housing attracted people of all abilities to compete in teams of four to battle for honours on the iconic ‘Hill of the O’Neill’ in Dungannon. Teams included running clubs, families, sporting clubs, businesses, and local schools.
The event showcased true diversity and inclusiveness bringing together local communities from many areas to participate and enjoy a great community atmosphere.
The ‘Together Art Exhibition’ in Ballymena brought together 200 people over a period of three days, building relationships, and supporting health and wellbeing. This project formed part of a partnership with a range of local organisations, including Carson Project, Scullery O’Tullagh, Harryville Mens Sheds, Ballykeell Community Association, Harryville Environmental Action Team, Veterans Support Group, Ballymarlow Cultural Group, Ballymena Cares, & Tenants from Nursery Close.
A similar art exhibition was delivered in the Atlas Centre, Lisburn – ‘Together with a flow’, partnering with the local Atlas Women’s Centre and brining more than 50 participants together.
The ‘Knowing me, Knowing you’, intergenerational event, also held in Lisburn brought together more than 40 attendees and working with Lisburn Learning Area Community and Praxis Care, bringing together local schools and older people from the local area.
Other activities delivered during Good Relations Week included the Mini Mela in Ballynahinch with more than 250 attendees, partnering with Ballynahinch Community Collective and Artsekta. The expression of cultural traditions event took place in the town square and brought together world music and dance, global cuisine and amazing arts experiences for all the family.
The impact of these and many more projects like them facilitates important community relations, sometimes in the hardest to reach areas that are used to build on with the aim of developing shared communities where people can live with mutual respect and peace of mind.
