Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News - Housing Executive Announces Winners of the 2012 Good Relations Awards

30 May 2012

The Housing Executive and members of the Housing Community Network celebrated the 2012 Community Relations Week by hosting an event on 18 May to promote Good Relations and to mark the achievements of five community groups fitting in with the week’s theme of ‘No More Them and Us”

The Good Relations Awards scheme is funded jointly by the Housing Executive and the Community Relations Council and enables community groups to bring to life the principles of the Housing Executive’s Good Relations policy. Each of the 5 winning groups will receive an award of £2,000

Brian Rowntree, Chairman of the Housing Executive said:

“This event celebrates the excellent work done by our community groups and these awards contribute to making a real difference on the ground by increasing respect for diversity and developing relationships between and within communities. The Housing Executive is delighted to be able to highlight good practice and to support those who work tirelessly to improve community relations and cohesion within their communities.”

Commenting at the awards ceremony, Brian Holmes Director of Supporting Communities NI said:

“Community Groups warmly welcomed the 2012 Good Relations Awards and in this 6th year of operation we received the highest number of applications yet. The judging panel was very impressed by the commitment shown by volunteers to deliver Good Relations projects”.

Tony McCusker, CRC Chair welcomes the progress made in the ten years since Community Relations Week began in 2003 but stresses the continued need to tackle difficult issues:

“The vision of a society which has moved beyond ‘Them and Us’ still has to be turned into reality. Taking part in Community Relations Week events is an active way of demonstrating your dedication to peace building.”

The 2012 Good Relations Award winners are:

Drumcarran Community Association - Bus Stops – A journey forward

Derriaghy Village Community Association - One family

Ballybogey Community Association - Ballybogey, Balnamore & Stranocum Cross Community Celebrations

Carrick Hill Residents Association with Shankill Women's Centre -Young People’s Project

Cathedral Youth Club - Bastion Allotments Project

For further information about the winning projects contact Linda.hutchinson@NIHE.GOV.UK