GLENWARD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIA TION fjlic£upn GLEN ESTATE WELCOMED, VALUED & RESPECTEDI Hellu iier4CH C)UT aij Ui• 'Wekome si ir.11)- 'Alll ?F ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Disti'ict Office Noithei"n Ireland Housing Executive NIHE Area Office Northern Ireland Housing Executive NIHE Eileeii I'hompson Northem Ii"eland Housing Executive NIHE Mike Mohan Noithern Ii"eland Housing Executive NIHE Gus Moore Noithern Ireland HousÉng Executive NIHE Sarah Hai"kness- Robinson Supporting Communities Nl Beli Getty PSNI Donna Mackey Ards and North down Boi'ough Council Paul Hawkins Glen Community Church Janice Mawhinney Bees Nees Nursery Doiial McGaiiigle Londonderry Pi"imaiy School Isiiiay Woods Newtownards Clll'onicle Cominunity Centre Staff Ai'ds and North down Borough Council Ti"acy and Megan The Wai"ehouse Newtownards
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort" Herm Albright 1876 - 1944 Some years ago the chairpersons report started with the above quote. I make no apologies for using the same quote again this year as I found it quite encouraging because it reaffirms to me what can be achieved when a number of local people come together with a common interest in making their community a better place to live, work and play together. The GWCDA is one of those such groups. Each week members of the community give their time freely to ensure each of the programmes, activities and clubs run smoothly and efficiently and to these people I would like to offer an immense thank you. For the Mens shed- Mr Paul Hawkins and Mr Ron Redpath Youth Club - Rhonda, Doris, Maureen, Carter and Michelle Walking Football {2022-2023)- Mr Billy Tate Ladies groups and Aerobics (2022-2023) Amanda Tate Senior Youth, I believe in the words of Benjamin Franklin when he quotes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, these are the sentiments of Paul Hawkins, Beth Campbell and Doris Thompson in their superb input and belief whilst worl<ing with the youth of the area and their encouragement of those they work with WHICH is very evident. Thank you to all the committee members and friends who have helped with the various seasonal events throughout the year. During the past number of years the GWCDA have been very proud to work in conjunction with Glen Community Church with the delivery of various programmes including the planning and delivery of a local mural project.
GWCDA continue to lobby for a multisports/football pitch within the Estate as this is a much needed facility for the young people in the area. The association have continued to maintain very positive worlcing relationships with statutory agencies such as PSNI, NIHE, Housing Associations, SEHTrust and Ards and northdown borough council, Transport Nl, Londonderry Primary School, Local councillors, MLA'S and MP for the area. l am very pleased to be able to say that the support our community have received from local business in both monetary terms and service in kind has been fabulous. Over the years the Newtownards Chronicle have been very supportive within our community by providing coverage of all GWCDA events as well as our local information column the Glen Gleanings. Thanks to Claire for our regular FB posts and updates and I can assure you she has been a great asset to the association over the past number of years. Many thanks to Mr M and our very own female Monty Don (Aunty Don) you know who you are. Who have both been very busy preparing the community garden by way of planting bulbs and flowers over the last number of years. They continue to be excited by our very own greenhouse, in which they plant various fruits and vegetables. Special thanks to Reverend Stephen Doherty, Paul Hawkins and members of th the church family for the Church plant that celebrated its 10 Birthday this vear and has continued to grow steadily within our community and has helped and supported many families in their hour of need. This has been a busy and exciting year for our community by having a number of new homes built on the quarry heights site. We as a committee are feeling very positive about the future with funding being secured recently for the new shed and equipment located in the rear of the community house, which has enhanced the growth of the mens shed programme.
We are also very pleased to have adopted the land to the side of the community house which will allow the group to further grow and offer new environmental programmes. "Remember its not what can my community do for me, but rather what can I do for my community" Your friend and Neighbour Mr John A Gibson BEM. Chairperson, Glen Ward Community Development Association
GWCDA MEETINGS ATTENDED Housing Forum Tlie Housing Foriiin meets quartei'ly in the Cominunity House. Represeiitatives from the NIHE, tlie PSNI and GWCDA discuss mattel's regarding the eveiyday i'unning of the estate such as housing, envii"onmental and social issues. The Housing Foium receives an Empty House Update infoiming them of whei"e empty houses "e situated. The Housiiig Foi"uni also repoits oil the cleaning of the estate and discusses what needs to be done regai'ding, e.g. hedge cutting or illegal dumping. The Housing Foi'um then approaches tlie appi"opi"iate ageiicies to find out what can be done to tackle the problem. The NIHE also keeps the GWCDA up-to-date on the various schemes which are due to take place within the estate. Steering Group The Steel'ing Gi"oup Committee meets twice annually one of these meetings is the estate walkabout where various i'epresentatives from all statutory agencies and local politicians are in attendance to walk the estate and highlight various issues. The steel.ing Group Meetings ai"e held to enable all service providers to work together for the better of tlie estate, and to give the GWCDA the opportunity to raise issues. This meeting is chaired by SLlPPOI"ting Commiinities.
GWCDA ACTIVITIES GWCDA YoirrH CLUB The GWCDA'S Juiiioi. Youth Club is held oil Friday nights from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, for all PI'iLiiai'y Scliool aged children. Tlie childi.eii take in many activities rangiiig fi'om aits and ci'afts, Inusic, drama, cookery, dance and vai'ious pliysical team games, such as football, basketball and rounder's etc. Free play is also encow.aged as it is siich an iniportant pait of a child's development. NumbeL'S have inci"eased on the children who attend each week. We have welcomed four new Volunteei's iii the last year to help oiit at the Youth Club. Help is always still wanted, if anyone would like to volunteei" please call into the Glen Community House for inforniation. 1131
GWCDA FAMILY FUNDAY th Tlie Aiinual Family Fun Day was held oil I l July at Londonderry Primary School in the Glen Estate. Lots of activities wei'e held foi- the children, including bouncy castles, a giaiit slide. a BBQ took place with lots of food and refi"eshments. The committee would like to thank evei'yoiie for theii continuing support who made it an enjoyable day for everyone there.
GWCDA & GCC Carol service Tlie GWCDA and GCC lield our joiiit carol service and liglit switch on at the Communit), House this is always a vei"y well attended family event and even Santa made an appearaiice. Cultural Community Dinner The GWCDA held a CFll'istmas Dinner for the residents, in Scrabo Golf Club, the event was a great success with around 45 residents attending the dinner. A great day was enjoyed by all. UNDING The GWCDA appreciates all the assistance that has been given over the last year and, while it is not possible to thank evely single individiial who has been involved in raising money for the vai.ious events and projects, the GWCDA would like to thank the following agencies and organisations: Depaittment of Social Development ' Sinall Pockets of Depi"ivation' Ai"ds aRid North Down Borougli Council Noitliei-n li-eland Floiisiiig Executive Soutli Easteni Education and Library Board SPECIAL THANKS Special thaiffts ai"e wai"Inly extended in recognition to all tlie GWCDA Committee Mernbei"s foi. theii. Iiai'd work at fuiidi-aising tlll'oiighout the ycar. The GWCDA would particularly like to thank local sponsors who have helped so geiierously tlyoiighout the yeaL'.