A new directory for Ardoyne listing the wide range of community and youth groups has been published to help local people access support and give families ideas of activities available.
Drawn up by Ardoyne Youth Enterprise (AYE) and funded by Urban Villages, the directory is described as ‘a guide to what’s on, where and when’ and co-compiler Shane Whelehan said it had a very practical use.
“The motive behind his is that it’s a way to help the community,” he said. “We found when we had our detached youth workers out to talk to young people they had no alternative to hanging around the streets, but this directory will allow them to see what is going on in the district. There is plenty on offer, from Judo to arts and crafts – a range of positive alternatives for young people.”
Holy Cross Girls’ School Principal Maura McNally said she has found the directory invaluable.
“We are situated outside Ardoyne and this is great for us because we can easily find out where the support is from groups – it’s a very welcome resource,” she said.
The directory has been funded by Urban Villages, an initiative operated from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister targeting five areas of the north for special attention. Ardoyne and Ballysillan along with Colin, Lower Newtownards Road, Sandy Row, Donegall Pass and the Markets and the Bogside and Fountain in Derry make up the areas targeted by Stormont.
Joe Hinds from Urban Villages said the directory was something they were happy to back.
“We have three key themes – to foster positive community identities, to build community capacity and to improve the physical environment,” he said. “The directory has a wealth of information and it is something we are delighted to be able to support.”
