PHASE 2: Derry City, Omagh & Castlereagh
Project: Cloughfin Community
Grant Awarded: £10,500
About
This project, which developed out of an earlier project responding to the needs of older people in a rural part of Omagh District Council in Sixmilecross, built on and enhanced the achievement of the earlier project. The idea of a 4-G (generational) reminiscence project that could bring together grandparents and school children across the generations in an active and participative project had been discussed for two to three years. The engagement of a facilitator on a ‘sessional’ basis to link with the diverse groups across the different townlands and across the sectarian divide and then to engage seriously with two primary schools in the area (again involving both sides of the community), was a vital part of the project. The involvement of the local community forum (Omagh Forum of Rural Associations) was mutually beneficial and helped build in sustainability of the work of the project. The level of participation (and the excitement) of the local groups and the community exceeded all expectations.
A book of stories – Wait ‘til ye hear - written by people locally was produced (a second edition may be produced later) and launched in one of the local community centres, The Flaxmill Centre with about 100 people attending including the Chair person of the District Council. An added dimension of the project was that the local Education and Library Board became interested / involved in the project and not only assisted with the publishing of the book but also undertook to ensure that the book will be among resource materials made available as part of the curriculum for local schools covering the theme of local history/community culture. Also the project helped energise local people to work together and to do so on a cross-community basis in a very effective way.