Mourne, Gullion & Lecale Rural Development Partnership (MGL) has awarded Clanrye Group Services grant funding of £25,000 from the Basic Services Scheme of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2014-2020.
The Rural Development Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and administered by Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Partnership’s Local Action Group, under the LEADER approach.
Clanrye Group are located in County Down and County Armagh, with three offices situated in Newry, Downpatrick and Slieve Gullion courtyard. They provide quality training, accredited qualifications and employment opportunities under Disability Services, Youth and Family Services and Community Development.
Through the assistance of Rural Basic Services funding and a contribution from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Clanrye Group will expand its existing services by establishing a Healthy Living Centre to facilitate the delivery of a wide range of health and wellbeing classes. The Group will also use the funding to purchase equipment to aid with rehabilitation services for cancer, cardiac, diabetes and stroke patients.
Councillor Roisin Mulgrew, Chairperson of Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership Local Action Group said, “The creation of a Healthy Living Centre is a welcome addition to the service provision in this rural area, helping local communities to access vital services, and assisting to alleviate the pressure on our local health service”.
Confirming the Council’s commitment and support for the Rural Development Programme, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “Rural Development Funding, administered by Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership, is providing much needed assistance to help our rural communities enhance their quality of life. This programme assists the Council in achieving the aim of the Council’s Community Plan, making our district an area in which local communities have access to opportunities and high-quality services”.
Jerome Burns, Contract Manager from Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said, “The Leader Programme, through which this project is being funded, enables local people to determine the needs of their own area and decide how best to address these. I have no doubt that this project will improve the health and well-being of those living in the rural area.”
It is envisaged the local community will be able to avail of the Clanrye Group Healthy Living Centre’s extensive programme of classes and services by Winter 2020.
For more information on Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership and its funding schemes visit: www.mournegullionlecale.com
