Staff and volunteers and public represnetatives pictured at the Kairos centre with the Pride of Place judges.[/caption]
The Kairos Centre was given the opportunity to convey to judges why it should win an IPB Pride of Place Award, having been nominated to participate in the annual competition by Down District Council.
The Pride of Place judges, Mr William Beattie and Mr Terry O’Niadh, were welcomed to the Kairos Centre by Down District Council Vice-Chairman, Councillor Gareth Sharvin and Kairos Management Committee Chairman, Mr Winsor Bell.
During their visit, the judges received a presentation on the role of Kairos and the range of work it undertakes to encourage enterprise and to engage and help the district’s youth. Following the presentation, the judges were taken on a tour of the Centre and its outreach facilities. As part of the tour, the judges were introduced to the Centre’s management committee, volunteers, users of their various services and programmes, and representatives of organisations they work with, and with whom the judges were keen to discuss the valuable contribution Kairos makes to supporting enterprise and youth in the area.
Speaking about the organisation, Down District Council Vice-chairman, Councillor Gareth Sharvin said: “Down District Council fully supports the Kairos Centre for striving to achieve this prestigious award. Their commitment to helping young people and adults through community developments and partnerships including caring for young people in the streets, neighbourhood clean-ups and helping disadvantaged people rehome, is highly commendable.
“Karios also hold youth programmes including four weekly drop-in’s, home-work help, a weekly health clinic, gender specific programmes and various youth diversionary activities. Its adult work includes two weekly drop-in’s, men’s horticultural project, women’s crafts group, and personal development programmes.
“Also, Kairos recruit, support and develop volunteers through their Youth Achievement Awards, Millennium Volunteers Programme (15-18 years), over 18s Volunteering Programme, and i-Year Gap Programme. It is evident that Kairos work tirelessly to improve our local surroundings for the good of our citizens and they are a true example of what the Pride of Place competition stands for.”
In assessing entrants, the judges award marks for: Impact on Community; Innovation; Sustainability; Local Leadership; Management; and Overall Impression.
The IPB All Island Pride of Place Competition is run by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with the All-Island Local Authority Steering Forum, a forum which encourages strategic and sustainable approaches to cross-border co-operation by local authorities.
