Plans have today been unveiled for a substantial new £764,000 extension to Bingham House, Markethill. South and North Armagh Victims Encouraging Recognition (SAVER / NAVER) has announced the start of building work on a project which will provide new workspace accommodation and community space. Nearly 5,000 sq ft of workspace incorporating 12 workspace units and nearly 2000 sq ft of community space, including a counselling suite, rooms for alternative therapy and a large community hall are planned.On completion, the redevelopment of the building will enable SAVER / NAVER to continue to grow its important outreach programmes. The creation of the new units will mark a further step in the organisations aim of sustainability and its work within the field of reconciliation and community development. The project is being supported by the International Fund for Ireland, which has contributed £392,175 to the scheme. It has also been part financed by the European Union through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. These funds have been managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC) who awarded £300,000 to the project. The remainder of the funding has been raised by the group. Speaking at the launch of the project Alexander Smith, Joint Director General of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “The International Fund for Ireland is focused on supporting and enabling community relations and reconciliation. SAVER/NAVER is one example of a cross community organisation working at the forefront of community relations in Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties. “The expansion of the provision here at Bingham House to include affordable workspace is both an exciting and challenging one. We know many examples of sites such as these that have proved to be the catalyst for increased investment in an area, stimulating the growth of both new and established businesses and I’m sure the same will be true of this site.”Addressing those gathered to witness the first sod cutting Dr Arthur Mitchell RDC Chair commented, “When complete the project will positively impact on the economic renewal of Markethill and will also contribute to rural reconciliation in this area. It’s very heartening and satisfying for us as a staff and Council to see groups apply for funding and venture through the hoops of our assessment process to get to a stage where we are all standing here, on site, watching work begin”. Councillor Charles Roulston, Mayor of Armagh, said: “The start of today’s work is only as a result of a great deal of hard work from SAVER/NAVER.  The refurbishment of these buildings will bring a new lease of life to the group and to the Markethill area.  The regeneration of these buildings will provide a number of multi-purpose units which will benefit people of all ages in the area.” Reatha Hassan, OBE, chairperson of SAVER/NAVER, said: “This is the core of our building, the pearl in our oyster. This building will help us bring the community together.”SAVER/NAVER is a cross community, non-political victims support group which was established in 2000 to provide encouragement and support to victims of the troubles and their families. The organisation encourages reconciliation through the provision of a wide number of cross community activities including counselling, discussion forums and alternative therapies to assist individuals to come to terms with the past and to move forward together to develop a shared future. Work has already started on the extension at Bingham House and is expected to be completed in January 2008.

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