Communities host Projects as part of Thriving Together initiative

Work has started on a series of projects designed to make a significant and lasting contribution to peace and reconciliation across the district.

The projects that will be delivered across all Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Electoral Areas (DEAs) are part of the Council’s Local Action Plan’s Thriving Together initiative, which is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Newry

In the Newry DEA, workshops, talks and site visits will explore the history of the City’s canal and engineering, with an opportunity to learn about construction, key engineers and technical drawings through hands-on activities as part of the Newry Canal and Our Engineering Heritage initiative.

There will be a Capacity Building Events Training for Community Groups and a focus on the history of social housing in Newry and Mourne, with the Castles and Tower Houses of East Ulster and Louth project highlighting the rich network of medieval tower houses and the role they played in the history of the City.

Crotlieve

In Crotlieve, registration has opened for a first aid training programme to equip people with practical, lifesaving skills to respond to emergencies, while an inspiring cultural programme combining workshops, guided visits and group writing sessions begins, with the ‘Voices of the Land, Poetry and Songs from Crotlieve’ initiative designed to deepen creative practice and discover the area’s rich heritage through shared learning and exploration.

Slieve Gullion

In Slieve Gullion, the spotlight will be on three projects.

Together Empowering Abilities and Minds invites people to join a new capacity building programme, designed to support children with additional needs by inclusive play, sensory engagement and social interaction, while the Men’s Shed Podcasting Initiative brings shedders together to build practical, digital skills such as recording, editing and online promotion, while creating a safe space for open conversations about men’s health.

The Sacred Spaces: Chapels, Churches and Meeting Houses of Slieve Gullion project, explores the shared history and cultural significance of the area’s historic places of worship.

Downpatrick, Rowallane, Slieve Croob and the Mournes also have projects underway.

Projects in the co-designed plan enables and empowers local community partnerships to identify and deliver priority projects on a community basis. 

The result will be improved, shared and inclusive local services, facilities and spaces, making a significant and lasting contribution to peace and reconciliation across the district, bringing together people from different socio-economic and community backgrounds. 

The Action Plan has been developed by the PEACEPLUS Partnership Board, with the process involving extensive engagement with local communities and key stakeholders, including statutory providers, public bodies, businesses and DEA Forums.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “The Thriving Together initiative, supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the SEUPB, is bringing people across the district together.

“Residents will be making an invaluable contribution to their respective DEAs and a vibrant, exciting and wide-ranging programme has been drawn up. I am very much looking forward to seeing the outcome of the initiative,” he added.

A new PEACEPLUS newsletter is published every two months, highlighting the wide range of projects being delivered throughout the district as part of the Co-Designed Action Plan, providing residents with news on upcoming initiatives and opportunities they may wish to get involved in. To receive future newsletters email peace@nmandd.org and ask to be placed on the PEACEPLUS database, while for information on the (SEUPB) visit seupb.eu