Rouskey Community Association scoops Housing Executive rural award
Rouskey Community and Development Association in Co Tyrone has secured £1,000 prize as part of this year’s Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards.
Situated in the hinterland of Omagh, this project promotes sustainable living through organic gardening practices and rainwater harvesting as well as offering an array of health and well-being activities to all members of the community.
Held this year in The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine 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.
Eoin McKinney, Housing Executive Rural Unit, said,
“A big well done to Rouskey Community and Development Association on their well-deserved award, as they took the top prize in our Cleaner and Greener section.
“I commend them for their outstanding environmental work in the village – their efforts in encouraging environmental sustainability in the wider community are inspirational.
“It is evident when visiting Rouskey that local people take great pride in their local environment and are committed to making it an attractive and vibrant place to live.”
Kevin Moquin, Rouskey Community and Development Association committee member said,
“Everyone was very excited to receive this award.
“A lot work has gone into improving the grounds at our community centre, creating stunning art murals around the site, extending our community garden and building a new polytunnel.
“We have been able to encourage people of all ages, including Housing Executive tenants, to engage in our workshops which include gardening, music, crocheting, cookery, literacy and heritage.
“Gardening classes have helped people to be more self-sustaining by teaching them how to plant vegetables and flowers at home.
“We also converted a shipping container into a community garden activity centre where people can come and learn the practices of upcycling and that sort of a thing.”