Funding of £5,000 from the Housing Executive’s Community Safety budget has been awarded to Good Morning Down to maintain their important service to the local community.
Operating out of their Belfast Road office at the Down Business Centre, Good Morning Down provides a telephone befriending and support service to elderly and vulnerable residents in the Down area through a team of trained staff and volunteers.
Staff and Volunteers also advise partner agencies if there is a need for referral assistance. This service has been operating since 2003 and daily contact with their clients also helps tackle loneliness and helps them feel safer at home.
Funding from the Housing Executive’s Community Safety budget enables the development of local solutions to address anti-social behaviour within Housing Executive estates and promotes and strengthens local relationships between a range of agencies. The service works closely with the Housing Executive and a range of statutory and voluntary agencies.
Linda Baker, Project Co-ordinator for Good Morning Down, said: “We are delighted to receive funding from the Housing Executive’s Community Safety Unit to continue our service to the greater Downpatrick area.
“Our call beneficiaries rely on our service, our staff and volunteers who live in the local area, understand the issues which face residents who live alone. Receiving a befriending/caring telephone call from our team can make a huge positive impact to the lives of our service users and their families as some of our members may not see anyone from one day to the next.
“This funding will improve service delivery and make our output more efficient in providing a vital resource to our Downpatrick based service users.”
Loma Wilson, the Housing Executive’s South Down Area Manager added: “The Housing Executive, as well as various partner agencies, works closely with Good Morning Down to engage with residents and build stronger communities.
‘The resource provided by Good Morning Down negates isolation for those residents who live alone or who do not have regular contact with others. Also, this resource allows key stakeholders such as Police Service of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service to target residents who may be at risk of crime or injury at home and help keep them safe.
“The origins of Good Morning Down can be found with the Housing Executive at its core. Both organisations aim to foster vibrant communities and are vital resources in serving the community of Downpatrick.”
