A group of Killyleagh volunteers, supported by Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), Youth Services and local councillors, are delivering a 12-week pilot programme aimed at young people in the area.
The group have been instrumental in getting the opening hours extended to 11pm on Friday nights, to run educational classes for local youths, which has been enthusiastically welcomed by residents in Killyleagh.
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Councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews with members of the new community group on Killyleagh.[/caption]
Locals have been very vocal for the need for the community facility to extend opening hours during the weekends hopes this programme will help reduce anti-social behaviour in the area. The group are keen to engage young people in activities during key times at the weekends in a safe and fun environment.
The group who have formed as part of the Community Safety Action Plan funded by the PCSP met recently to design the components of the programme. It is envisaged there will be wide-ranging activities including sports and beauty courses on offer at the centre during the extended opening hours.
PCSP Chair, Councillor Willie Clarke said: “I am delighted that this group have taken the initiative to develop programmes for young people and are willing to give up their free time at the weekends to help engage with young people in positive programmes and make Killyleagh a safer place.
“The PCSP roll out action plans to help make changes in areas where there have been problems with anti-social behaviour. As a partnership we need the support of locals to identify and implement changes. Continued commitment is vital to ensure that the programmes continue following completion of the action plan.”
Killyleagh councillor Billy Walker added that “There be a number of excellent programmesset up for all the youngsters such as pool, indoor soccer and watching TV – it will be a place for them to chill out safely. And there will also be activities for the more elderly people of Killyleagh too.
“This is all part of the anti-social behaviour action plan being rolled out in the town. We have pulled a group of interested residents together too now to help create a more positive community life in Killyleagh and we will be targetting funding from different sources as has been done in other commnunitie successfully. The group still has to be formally constitutes but hopefully there will be exciting times ahead for Killyeagh.”
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