Community organisations in the Strabane area are being encouraged to promote their vital programmes and services through a new project being run by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The Shared Spaces, Shared Services project aims to raise awareness about some of the many useful services led by the community sector currently available both in Strabane Town and the surrounding area.
The scheme is part of the Council’s Good Relations Programme which supports local communities by promoting the valuable work that community organisations do and encouraging people from all backgrounds to engage with the essential services provided across Derry and Strabane.
The new project provides an online platform for organisations to highlight the services they provide and to invite people in to their premises to see for themselves what groups are doing to make a difference in their local community.
This will allow them to pave the way towards organising community open days and networking events when restrictions allow.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Graham Warke, encouraged local community groups to get involved with the scheme.
“Community groups provide a wide array of essential services, reaching out into areas where people need them most.
“We have seen during the pandemic the true importance of their role and the knowledge and experience these organisations have in understanding and assessing the needs of those who are most vulnerable and in need of support.
“Many organisations have also felt the impact of Covid-19 on their ability to deliver services, with restrictions on face to face communication.
“Often these groups rely on funding and don’t have the resources to effectively market their services and connect with the wider community, particularly in hard to reach rural areas. I would encourage groups in the Strabane and surrounding areas to see how this project could benefit them.”
The Shared Spaces, Shared Services project will assist organisations in developing the provision of open and accessible shared spaces for everyone, while also helping to identify any barriers that may exist for people who choose not to access those services.
It’s hoped the learning from the scheme will help groups and individuals plan more effective ways to connect to the public and promote engagement with service providers.
A number of videos have been produced to showcase the services of ten local community organisations which can now be viewed online on Council’s website at https://www.derrystrabane.com/sharedspaces
Other groups who may also wish to participate in the project can get in touch with Council’s Good Relations Team by contacting Carol Stewart at carol.stewart@derrystrabane.com or on telephone number: 07753 427 836.
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