Service users from New Horizons Partnership in Strabane recently had the chance to put their local elected representatives on the spot and quiz them about topics which affect their daily lives.
New Horizons caters for people with mild/moderate learning challenges in the North West.
A group from the facility’s community inclusion class took part in a question and answer session with some of their local councillors from Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The meeting took place in the Council Chamber in the Strabane offices.
The event was facilitated following a request from New Horizons for a visit to the Council offices to provide participants with an awareness of what services the Council provides to the community.
In attendance were Cllrs Raymond Barr, Caroline Devine and Fergal Leonard, along with Alderman Derek Hussey and Sharon Maxwell, Democratic Services Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council.
A presentation was provided and included an overview of the Council area, what services are provided and how decisions are taken at Council, along with ways local people can engage with Council.
The class from New Horizons were then able to put their questions to the Councillors on issues of concern and get advice on how to progress specific queries.
Audrey Brown, Client Facilitator from New Horizons explained how beneficial the visit was.
She said, “The service users attend community inclusion class every week. Within that we explore what community inclusion means to them.
“They have very strong ideas and opinions about the community they live in, the amenities available to them and the challenges faced as they strive to achieve independence.
“I encourage them to focus on their strengths rather than their disabilities and from there encouraged them to use their voices.
“The chance for them to participate in a serious discussion and bring their concerns to the fore gave them a great sense of importance and achievement, in a sense it validated their rights as citizens within their community.
“The group’s main concerns focussed on the lack of social housing, the cuts in funding for transport and the need for more accessible community activities.
“Many of the group live in rural areas and funding cuts have caused transport prices to rise which is causing a major worry for some of them.
“They were really happy with the response from the councillors and I feel they felt more empowered from the experience.”
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