Killyleagh is certainly a proud place to live in.
On Friday 19 August, Killyleagh Youth Club warmly welcomed judges from the IPB Pride of Place Awards to the Bridge Centre, Killyleagh following their nomination by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
The IPB Pride of Place Awards, in association with Co-operation Ireland, are an all-island competition that sets out to acknowledge the hard work that communities are doing. Killyleagh Youth Club was nominated in order to showcase their outstanding example of a local community responding effectively to a local problem.
When the Youth Club recognised that the young people in the area had nowhere to come together, a group of local volunteers opened the ‘Killyleagh Drop In’ every Friday night from 9.15pm to 11.15pm in the Bridge Centre as part Newry Mourne and Down District Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership Action Plan.
This group of volunteers undertook to lobby local councillors and make representations to the Council to extend the opening hours and provide staff cover in the Bridge Centre on a Friday night. Following consideration the Council agreed to a twelve week pilot scheme and following its success, the club continues to welcome thirty to forty young people each night into a safe, warm and inviting environment. Two years down the road statistics prove that this initiative is still having a positive impact on reducing anti-social behaviour in the town.
The young people who attend the club have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programmes such as beauty therapy, boxing, football, talent shows and on a regular basis have guest speakers who give talks on issues such as drugs/alcohol, personal safety and staying safe on line.
Newly Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said: “Pride of Place is an ideal platform to recognise the huge efforts being made in communities throughout the district and I would like to the Killyleagh Youth Club volunteers for their outstanding efforts in making their community a better place for everyone.
“All we have to do now is await the Awards Ceremony outcome in November. Irrespective of the outcome, Killyleagh town and its young people are fortunate to have such a band of committed and dedicated group of volunteers making a positive contribution to their community.”
The Judges were impressed with this local community initiative which continues to be provided by a group of local volunteers and enjoyed the presentation made by Chris Hagan from Killyleagh Youth Club. During a tour of the premises the judges were able to witness at first hand the excellent work being carried out as they surveyed the eye catching display of photographs and press cuttings. Equally they were impressed with the various testimonials of support that were expressed during the judging event. Grateful parents, representatives from the PSNI, NIFRS, PCSP and local faith groups highlighted the difference the club had made, not only to its young members, but to the town as a whole.
Chris Hagan, a leading light in the Killyleagh Youth Club said: “We wound like to thank the Council for nominating us. It is a tremendous honour to be selected from groups across the aide Council area.
“We are delighted to host the judges and and there has been great community support for our project since it began. We can see the benefits in the youth in the relatively short time it has been running.”
Councillor Billy Walker who lives in Killyleagh said: “I have supported this project from day one. The presentation by Chris Hagan and his team was very professional and they should all be proud of themselves. I think the judges were very impressed with the presentation and the youth project.
“Killyleagh is now looking forward to the final results ceremony at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast in November. We must give credit to Chris and his team for their excellent work. Statistics by the PSNI show that crime rates are down in Killyeagh and much of this is attributable to the Killyleagh Youth Club project. I would like to mention James Savage as a former active youth club member who has now moved on to the Youth Parliament. He showed great commitment in moving things forward.
Chairman of the Killyleagh Youth Forum, James Savage, was also over the moon about the project’s success and said: “I have been involved in the Youth Club over a number of years and I can say it has changed the lives for the better of many of the young people in our community. It is an excellent cross-community venue.
“As a member of the Northern Ireland Youth Parliament I am delighted with the outcomes and hope to see the Youth Club grow from strength to strength.”
And Rowallene Councillor Terry Andrews said: “I am delight that Council has recognised the efforts of the Killyleagh Youth Club. They have made a huge contribution to their community. It is a tribute to all involved.
“I understand the judges were so impressed with this project that they indicate that it could be used as a model to roll out over the whole of Ireland.”
