Supporting Communities encourages a self help approach to community development by providing support, advice, information and training to new and existing community / residents groups, statutory and voluntary organisations.
You can read the latest Supporting Communities Ezine on their website.
Community development
Supporting Communities supports existing groups and encourages the formation of new groups, enhancing their skills, knowledge and expertise and enabling them to fully participate in matters impacting on their communities.
Information/advice
Supporting Communities provides information to the community in a number of ways. including through its SCENE News, a bi-annual publication full of news from projects and other organisational activities.
In addition Supporting Communities has a range of factsheets offering useful tips, advice and guidance on a broad spectrum of topics covering housing, environmental, social and economic issues. Supporting Communities also has a comprehensive information bank available to community groups.
Information and advice is provided to communities by the specialist expertise of Supporting Communities staff. Details of all resources available to the community along with lots more information is available from supportingcommunities.org
Policy
Supporting Communities assists relevant agencies to develop policies on models of community participation. It also provides informed responses to policies and consultations based on feedback from the community.
Good practice
Supporting Communities encourages the sharing of community development experiences from community, voluntary and statutory organisations highlighting models of good practice.
Training
Supporting Communities offers training to community groups and staff of statutory and voluntary agencies. Training is available in the form of:
- one to one practical training programmes
- short skills based training courses
- accredited courses
- tailor made packages to suit residential/one or two day courses
Funding
Supporting Communities has information and computer packages available on funding bodies including trusts, companies, business, government departments, local councils and european sources. In addition, it provides:
- funding factsheets
- a funding enquiry service
- Administration
Supporting Communities provides an administrative service to staff and assists external groups. They also administrate all areas of the Housing Community Network.
Housing Community Network (HCN)
In partnership with the Housing Executive, Supporting Communities has established a formal Housing Community Network. This unique structure ensures that residents will have meaningful involvement with the Housing Executive at district, area and central (policy) level throughout Northern Ireland.
Contact details
For more information on the services provided by Supporting Communities please contact:
Supporting Communities
The Hatchery NI
Unit 19 Antrim Enterprise
58 Greystone Road
Antrim, BT41 1JZ
Tel: (028) 2564 5676
Email: info@supportingcommunities.org
