Lissize Becomes First Official Shared Neighbourhood in Northern Ireland
Lissize Estate in Rathfriland, Co.Down has become the first existing social housing area in Northern Ireland to be officially designated with shared neighbourhood status.
The official designation was marked by the unveiling of a plaque at the entrance to the estate on Wednesday 9th December 2009 and coincided with the launch of Lissize’s Good Relations Plan and Neighbourhood Charter.
Lissize is one of sixteen housing areas participating in the International Fund for Ireland’s Shared Neighbourhood Programme, designed to support and encourage shared neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland. Launched in 2008, the Shared Neighbourhood Programme works with existing communities and aims to create 30 shared neighbourhoods over a three-year period. The Programme is managed on behalf of the International Fund for Ireland by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Maxi Beal, Chairperson of Lissize Community Association said: “It is a real honour for Lissize to be officially designated as a shared neighbourhood – and to be the first existing estate to achieve this status. Lissize has been a mixed estate for many years and we are delighted to receive this recognition. The residents of Lissize have come through some very challenging times but with help, we have turned this estate around so that we can all enjoy the peaceful and settled neighbourhood we have today. We’re delighted to have been given the opportunity to be part of the Shared Neighbourhood Programme. ”
Congratulating the residents of Lissize, Sandy Smith, Joint Director General of the International Fund for Ireland said: “What makes the Shared Neighbourhood Programme special is that it focuses on the strengths, successes and lessons acquired by communities such as Lissize who have been quietly working to bring about change and to build share neighbourhoods where everyone is accepted and respected.
“Lissize was one of the very first communities to commit to our Shared Neighbourhood Programme and we are delighted to see their journey reach the stage of official designation today. Everyone involved is to be congratulated for their commitment and hard work in turning their vision of being a genuinely shared neighbourhood into a reality – and for the wonderful and inspiring example which they have set for other communities across Northern Ireland.”
Commenting on the community’s commitment to the Shared Neighbourhood Programme, local Housing Executive Manager Aengus Hannaway said: “I am delighted to be here today to acknowledge this major achievement by the people of Lissize. They are to be commended on their commitment and determination to become a Shared Neighbourhood. The local project team will now focus on the issues identified through the Good Relations survey to address the needs of the whole community.
“The Shared Neighbourhood Programme has started a new chapter for Lissize, and I am confident the residents will continue to build on everything that is positive in this community. They can be assured of the continued support from the Housing Executive and other agencies in the future.”
At today’s announcement of Lissize’s success in achieving official Shared Neighbourhood status, the Lissize Community Association also launched its Good Relations Plan, based on a community survey carried out earlier this year, and its Neighbourhood Charter.
