An exciting new business opportunity has been welcomed in Downpatrick.
A social enterprise business hub funded through the Northern Ireland Executive, one of seven such entreprise hubs through Northern Ireland, has opened up in the Grove shopping centre.
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Gabriel Magee, Kieran Casement and Charles Maxwell of Lecale Residents User Group and Friends, Owen Connor, Down Business Centre board member, Russ Hanna, Down Community Transport Manager, Claire Ferris, Work West Manager, Daryl McCoubrey, ALWT Productions, Councillor Terry Andrews, Sam McClelland, Downpatrick Social Entrerprise Manager, with Down District Chairman Cllr Billy Walker.[/caption]
Manager Stephen McClelland explained: “We are delighted to welcome Down District Council Chairman Cllr Billy Walker to the new Social Enterprise Hub in Downpatrick. Social Saturday was a day when nationwide a campaign was held to encourage people to support their local social enterprises.
“I hope that this hub encourages people to ‘buy social’ and consider the impact their spend could have in terms of social good. I’m just overwhelmed by the interest in the hub and its services to date. It is evident that social enterprise is very much alive in the Downpatrick area.”
Down Council Chairman Cllr Billy Walker added: “This is a very important development in Downpatrick for Down District and I sincerely hope that many people and organisations access the wide range of opportunities that are available. Social enterprise businesses are fast becoming a key employer of people and helping to generate the local economy.
“It is great to see that there is a clear buzz in the hub already. There are desks with computers available with a range of softwares and this alone is a fantastic start to a social enterprise start up just moving ahead. We must do all we can to finally come out of recession and I congratulate the OFMDFM on this sound initiative.”
Many organisations are availing of the support and services already with help in developing their social enterprise idea, using the meeting room space free of charge ir availing of the ‘hot desking’ facilities available. They can also test trade their products in a retail space in the Grove Shopping Centre. Â Networking events, workshops, and ideas generation sessions will also form a key part of a packed programme of activity.”
The social enterprise hub in Downpatrick is one of seven spread across Northern Ireland. The south east social hub comprises Downpatrick and Lisburn premises and it is supported by the office of the First Minister under the Delivering Social Change Programme which aims to tackle poverty, dereliction, and unemployment by encouraging social enterprise business start-ups within local communities. This project is funded by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Delivering Social Change fund.
For further information on the Downpatrick social hub, contact the manager Stephen McClelland at email:
smclelland@nmea.net
or call in for a chat.
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