Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News - Attwood commends West Belfast communities on plans for a shared future

07 March 2011

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has commended Springfield Road and Woodvale communities for their efforts to drive forward a successful shared neighbourhood.

A consultation exercise was carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on behalf of Forthspring Inter Community Group, as part of the work undertaken in the area under the Shared Neighbourhood Programme 76% of respondents said they would be in favour of local primary schools sharing out of school hour’s clubs.

Minister Attwood said: “It inspires hope when a community such as Forthspring comes together to focus on a common future. I launched Phase 3 of the Shared Neighbourhood Programme here in September 2010 and I recorded my commitment to creating neighbourhoods where community services are shared and accessible to everyone.

“Five months on Forthspring has again risen to the hopes of a shared neighbourhood with the majority of those surveyed in favour of sharing resources such as out-of-school hours clubs and shared school programmes and utilising shared space in the Woodvale and Springfield area for the benefit of both communities.

“It is these aspirations that will help create the communities of the future. Of course there will still be difficulties to overcome. However, the residents of Woodvale and Springfield Road are to be commended for leading the way towards a shared society and for their willingness to take risks to shape a future different form the past”.

As part of the approach to building a shared neighbourhood, groups from both communities participated in an art project entitled ‘Window on the Wall’ demonstrating how, through the medium of art, two communities can work together on a joint project.

Maura Moore, Director of Forthspring Inter Community Group: “Being part of the Shared Neighbourhood Programme is an excellent opportunity for Forthspring to consolidate our work and programmes with both communities on a shared site, thus strengthening the future position of Forthspring.

“We look forward to working with the Housing Executive’s Community Cohesion Team in this important time of transition. The ‘Window on the Wall’ is an example of how, through the medium of art, two communities can work together on a joint project as well as the inter-generational aspect that we would be keen to expand on in the future.

“I have to say the project was a success on every front. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm of all who took part, especially their willingness to share – it means that the artwork really does belong to everyone!”

Dr Denis Rooney CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland said: “The Shared Neighbourhood Programme provides a practical way for communities to move from just co-existence towards real integration.

“While Northern Ireland has made tremendous progress towards becoming a more positive, peaceful and stable society, we have to face the reality that some communities still remain segregated. The Fund remains committed to supporting initiatives, such as the Shared Neighbourhood Programme, which have the potential to deliver and sustain positive impacts within and between local communities long after the Fund ceases to exist.”

The consultation can be viewed at www.nihe.gov.uk