Patricia scoops Housing Executive rural award
Patricia McConnell, Chairperson of the Carnlough Community Association in Co Antrim has secured a £500 prize as part of this year’s Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards.
Situated in Carnlough, on the beautiful Causeway Coastal Route, the association strives to combat isolation by socially connecting all age groups in the surrounding areas through a range of activities.
Held this year in the Seamus Heaney Centre, Bellaghy the annual Rural Community Awards event provides a showcase for individuals and groups undertaking outstanding volunteering work at grassroots level in rural areas across Northern Ireland, helping maintain local neighbourhoods and boosting civic pride.
Carolyn Crawford, Housing Executive Mid and East Antrim Area Manager said, “The Housing Executive are delighted that Patricia took top prize in our rural awards Community Champion section.
“Patricia epitomizes the phrase Community Champion – so well done, Patricia!”
Speaking after receiving the award, Patricia said: “I am glad I have won the community champion award, and I would like to thank our secretary Mary Watson for putting my name forward.
“I started in 2005 - I just looked at the community and thought there’s no point in me complaining about it unless I do something about it so five of us formed the group.
“We started with the luncheon club - one of us did the cooking and the other, the serving.
“There was only about 15 members then – now we have over 50.
“We run a bowling club, a summer scheme, fun days and a craft club.
“We also work very closely with the local schools.
“My granddaughter was the one that suggested we start a summer scheme, so she and I did.
“That has been going strong for 15 years.
“The Housing Executive has been a great support to us.
“For our gardening project which transformed a piece of waste land, the Housing Executive supplied all the tools, planted apple trees and provided a shed.”