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Waterside women celebrate success

Standing left-to-right is course facilitator Cathy Malcolm from CM Consultancy, Health Hub's Anne Marie Campbell, Emer McCallion, Cathy McLaughlin, Samantha Higgins, Amanda Boyd, Shirley McClean, and Housing Executive team leader Norma Buchanan. Seated left-to-right: Housing Executive Good Relations Officer Eddie Breslin, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Sandra Duffy and Ena Gormley from the Waterside Women’s Centre
Standing left-to-right is course facilitator Cathy Malcolm from CM Consultancy, Health Hub's Anne Marie Campbell, Emer McCallion, Cathy McLaughlin, Samantha Higgins, Amanda Boyd, Shirley McClean, and Housing Executive team leader Norma Buchanan. Seated left-to-right: Housing Executive Good Relations Officer Eddie Breslin, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Sandra Duffy and Ena Gormley from the Waterside Women’s Centre

Women from the Waterside area are celebrating after successfully completing an eight-week good relations course, funded by a Housing Executive community cohesion grant of more than £2,500.

The project was a collaboration between three community groups, Oaks Fishing, Waterside Women’s Centre, and Health Hub in Pennyburn.

Local women from different backgrounds and communities had the opportunity to develop their interests and pick up new hobbies during the course which was designed to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for women to socialize and connect with each other.

Educational workshops and training sessions, which taught new skills including angling, focused on cultural awareness, building relations, health and well-being.

Waterside Women’s Centre manager Michelle Nash said: “It was a pleasure for us to host this program with such a great group of women from across the city.

“Providing a safe space for them to come together, break down barriers, helping to reduce isolation as well as making some great connections and long-lasting friendships.

“Thanks to all participants and to the Housing Executive for funding this project, we hope that the collaboration of the three community organisations will help lay the foundations for further projects in the future.”

Housing Executive Good Relations Officer Eddie Breslin said: “We are thrilled to support this eight-week initiative which has not only imparted valuable skills to women in the community but also had a positive effect on their health, forged new connections, and strengthened relationships in the city.

“We hope this experience will have a positive impact on their lives for years to come.”