The success of the Living and Learning Together project at Magherafelt has attracted a visit from the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Employment and Learning.
The purpose of the visit was to see at first hand the benefits and opportunities the project has brought to the area and to view some of the free health and wellbeing activities, which have been set up, across Magherafelt and Antrim.
During their visit to Magherafelt, MLAs called into Kilronan School and Magherafelt Council offices and spoke to project participants. Northern Regional College (NRC) Principal/Chief Executive Trevor Neilands welcomed the Committee to the College, which is the lead partner in the project, and provided a succinct presentation on the project’s successes and how it had engaged with over 2,000 learners to date.
Heather Boyd from St Lurach’s informed the visitors how the project has enabled the young people from both sides of the community to come together in Maghera to participate in a dance programme. A watercolour painting was presented to the Committee by one group that had benefited from art classes. Each of the 10 students, who had participated in the class, produced a ‘Pen & Wash’ painting which was combined into one final art piece. NRC Lecturer Louise Lester said that “As a result of the project, these learners have gained new skills, grown in confidence and gained new friendships.”
Inspector Christine Mills, PSNI and member of the steering committee, spoke about the success of the partnership working with youth groups across the Magherafelt area and highlighted the effectiveness of targeted resources on joint projects.
Following the Committee’s visit to Magherafelt to see the Living and Learning Together project in action, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, Thomas Buchanan, said: “During our visit, Committee Members saw at first hand some terrific examples of what can be achieved through partnership working, particularly in rural communities. This impressive project covers so many areas, from health, education and youth work to dance and art classes. It offers a range of activities and opportunities to young and old alike, bringing together people from all backgrounds. It is great to see how, taken together, the various strands of this project can have such a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. Hopefully, the success of this project in the Magherafelt area will inspire others across Northern Ireland to look for opportunities for collaboration in their areas.”
The Living and Learning Together programme is a five-year Big Lottery funded project and is committed to real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need. The project is now in its final year of funding and groups/communities are encouraged to engage with what the project can provide.
Further information can be accessed at the project website at www.nrc.ac.uk/livingandlearningtogeher/ or by contacting Marie Donaghy, Project Manager, Big Lottery Live & Learning Together, Northern Regional College, 22 Moneymore Road. Magherafelt or by Email: marie.donaghy@nrc.ac.uk alternatively telephone 02879 395237.
