Minister announces £350k funding during visit to Women's Aid Armagh Down

The UK Government Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan, visited Women’s Aid Armagh Down at Downshire Place in Newry on Thursday 9 May to check out regeneration plans that are being kick-started with government funding of £350k.

Women’s Aid Armagh Down provides essential support and accommodation to women and children affected by domestic violence in the local community. Their centre in Newry was given the funding from the third round of the Government’s Community Ownership fund, to breathe new life into its buildings, so that local people can continue to get the support they need. Numbers 5 and 7 Downshire Place are being renovated in a £2m+ development that will provide much needed facilities for their service users.

The Minister heard about the development of a new service, the Young ELEOS Programme, which is being supported by the funding. The programme will make a real difference to the lives of young people, by supporting them to improve their personal development and relationship building skills.   

Minister Buchan, UK Government Minister for housing and homelessness, said "I've been so impressed when I've come here. We're investing £350k to help support Women's Aid here. The work that they are doing is so important. I've just heard how domestic violence is a big issue here and it's great that this money is being invested. I've heard about how the money is going to renovate two premises, and in particular, it's going to provide new facilities for children who have been affected by domestic abuse, as well as for their mothers and UK Government is delighted to be part of this and to be spending this money."

The Minister added "It's been great to see how the ELEOS Programme will support young people of Newry to build skills and take their place in society.

“We’ll continue to fund vital projects like this through our £150 million Community Ownership Fund, so that we can protect these vital places and help community groups carry out important work for local people.” 

Eileen Murphy, CEO, Women’s Aid Armagh Down said "It's the start of a long process, but it is the start of something really, really exciting because it enables us to be able to provide resources, safe, secure resources for women, children and young people to help them work through the trauma of their experience of domestic abuse, and find a way to live an independent, financially stable life full of hope."

 The CEO added “We were delighted to welcome Minister Buchan to Women’s Aid Armagh Down to announce funding from the Community Ownership Fund. The ELEOS project, which will see a Centre of Excellence for domestic abuse and support established in Newry, requires more than £2 million investment. The £300,000 capital investment and £50,000 revenue from the Community Ownership Fund is a fantastic start to our fundraising efforts. We are very grateful to Minister Buchan’s department for this support. 

“The ELEOS project will provide early intervention for women and children at risk in domestic abuse situations. It will make a phenomenal difference in the future of domestic abuse service delivery.”

Minister Buchan praised the quality of work and innovation on show at Women's Aid Armagh Down adding there still is work to be done and concluded "and that is precisely why UK government is investing this money. There is a real need."

The Minister also visited two more projects being supported by Levelling Up funding. This included a visit to Kilcoo in County Down, where £195,000 from the Community Ownership fund has given local people the chance to buy and renovate a parish hall which has been part of the community since 1895, so that the community can continue to benefit from it. 

This was followed by a visit to Camlough Lake, where the Government has invested £2.8m from the Levelling Up Fund to create a new recreation centre. This will deliver a new sports facility which will give local people new opportunities, improve their health and wellbeing and boost tourism.   

The £150 million Community Ownership Fund helps community organisations to maintain more spaces and services, protecting vital community assets and putting them into local ownership so they are around for generations to come. This funding is part of £435million the Government is investing in Northern Ireland from its levelling up funds to spread opportunity and boost prosperity in communities.