NETWORKING GROUPS
NORTHERN IRELAND & REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
ACET (Aids Care Education and Training) Ireland
P.O. Box 18, Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT1 6HD
Website: www.acet.ie
Phone: +44 (0)28 9032 0844
E-mail: belfast@acet.ie
Description
ACET in Ireland is a leading provider of Health Education, Training and Community Care Projects. Founded in 1990 as an interdenominational Christian response to HIV/AIDS, ACET now offers a wide range of services on HIV/AIDS and the related issues of Drug Use & Misuse, Relationships and Sexual Health.
ACET is the only cross border agency in Ireland working in the area of HIV/AIDS and related issues. The partnership comprises ACET (Northern Ireland) established in Belfast in 1990 and ACET (Republic of Ireland) established in Dublin in 1992.
Acorn Business Centre
2 Riada Avenue, Garryduff Road, Ballymoney, County Antrim,
Northern Ireland
BT53 7LH
BT1 6HD
Website: www.acornbusiness.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)28 2766 6133
E-mail: enquiries@acornbusiness.co.uk
Description
Acorn is the learndirect centre for the Ballymoney area and also manages the learndirect for business contract throughout Northern Ireland. learndirect offers a flexible online training approach to individuals and businesses with selected courses leading to recognised ICT qualifications.
Acorn also offers a wide range of programmes designed to help you start and grow your own business including the Northern Ireland Business Start Programme. Practical advice on all aspects of business start-up and expansion including access to support, assistance, training, premises and consultancy is available.
Contact Person: Bobby Farren
Mayola Learning Centre
265 Woodstock Road,
Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT6 8PR
Website: www.als-ltd.com
Phone: +44 (0)28 9087 3380
E-mail: info@als-ltd.com
Description
Advanced Learning Systems was established in 1991 to offer training services in Computer Skills, Business & Management, Skills for Life, throughout Northern Ireland. The company has Open Learning Centres in Belfast, Newtownards and Magherafelt.
Contact Person: Helen Mathews
Aghabog Women's Resource Group
Genagh,
Newbliss,
County Monaghan,
Ireland
Aghabog Women's Resource Group is a member of the Monaghan Womens Network.
Contact Person: Edel Logue
Aislann Chill Chartha Teoranta
Cill Chartha (Kilcar),
County Donegal,
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)74 973 8162
Phone: +353 (0)74 973 8376
E-mail: info@als-ltd.com
Description
Aislann Chill Chartha Teoranta is a full-time community centre in Kilcar, Co. Donegal.
Contact Person: Michael MacGiolla
An Crann/The Tree
10 Arthur Street,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland
BT6 8PR
Phone: +44 (0)28 9024 0209
E-mail: ancrann1@compuserve.com
Description
An Crann/The Tree is exploring the role of art and story in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. An Crann provides space where people can tell and hear stories as part of the process of healing and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. It runs workshops, training and residentials and has an archive of stories of the conflict.
An Eochair Ex-Prisoner Support Group
426 Falls Road,
Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT12 6EN
Website: www.als-ltd.com
Phone: +44 (0)28 9043 9095
Phone: +44 (0)28 9024 7291
E-mail: alley150@aol.com
Description
Established 1995, An Eochair is a West-Belfast based support group for Republican ex-prisoners.
Contact Person: Sean O'Hare
An Teach Bán / Centre for Peace Building
Downings,
County Donegal,
Ireland
Website: http://www.peacecentre.ie
Phone: +353 (0)74 915 5544
E-mail: peacecentre@eircom.net
Description
The Centre for Peace Building brings together a consortium drawn from those working with the community sector, providing cross-border, cross-community support for healing and well-being.
Centre for Peace Building is based at an Teach Bán, which is a quality community run residential centre offering training, education, respite and recreation opportunities to enhance personal and group development and to further the process of reconsiliation and peace.
Contact Person: Kate O'Dhubchair
Ards Local Strategy Partnership (formerly The Ards Partnership)
Crepe Weavers Industrial Estate,
20 Comber Road,
Newtownards,
County Down,
Northern Ireland;
BT23 4RX
Phone: +44 (0)28 9182 6913
E-mail: info@ardslsp.org.uk
Description
The Ards Local Strategy Partnership is a successor to the Ards Partnership and was set up under the EU Programme for Peace & Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties.
The Partnership's main interests are: Reducing Inequalities; Education and Skills; Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing; Neighbourhood Improvement.
Contact Person: Tony McMullan
Arts and Disability Forum
Ground Floor,
109-113 Royal Avenue,
Belfast,
BT1 1FF
Website: www.adf.ie/
Phone: 028 9023 9450
E-mail: info@adf.ie
Description
The all-island Arts and Disability Forum exists to facilitate the empowerment of people with disabilities through the development of arts and disability culture. It also promotes equal access to mainstream arts for people with disabilities, as both consumers and participants, and campaigns for better opportunities in arts education, training and employment. The Forum, as a networking and coordinating agency, will showcase the best examples of disability arts practice, regionally, nationally and internationally. It will work with relevant organisations, to network and to encourage them to facilitate arts activities in rural communities and other areas where people with disabilities are currently marginalized.
Contact Person: Avril Crawford
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
MacNeice House,
77 Malone Road,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland,
BT9 6AQ
Website: www.artscouncil-ni.org/
Phone: +44 (0)28 9038 5210 Phone: +44 (0)28 9038 5200
E-mail: info@artscouncil-ni.org
Description
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is the lead development agency for the arts in Northern Ireland. The Council is the main support for artists and arts organisations throughout the region, offering a broad range of funding opportunities through its Treasury and National Lottery funds.
Ashgrove Community Centre
Garvaghy Road,
Portadown,
County Armagh,
Northern Ireland,
BT62 1EB
Phone:+44 (0)28 3833 1650 Phone +44 (0)28 3833 8958
Description
Ashgrove Community Centre in Portadown is one of Craigavon's Community Centres.
Contact Person: Anna Fowler
Ashton Community Trust
Ashton Centre,
5 Churchill Street,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland,
BT15 2BP
Website: www.ashtoncentre.com/
Phone: +44 (0)28 9074 2255
E-mail: info@ashtoncentre.com
Description
The Ashton Centre is situated in the New Lodge area of North Belfast. The main focus of the Ashton Centre is to develop the New Lodge community.
The Ashton Centre is a community Cooperative that is owned and run by local people. The Ashton provides training, education, work space and rental outlets. It is the main centre for employment in the New Lodge Area and the focus for community regeneration.
Contact Person: Paul Roberts
Attical Community Association
Attical Community Centre,
140 Tullyframe Road,
Attical,
County Down, Northern Ireland,
BT34 4RZ
Phone: +44 (0)28 4176 5859
Description
Attical Community Association offers a wide range of recreational and training courses.
Contact Person: Sheila Colgan
Aughnacloy Development Association
Aughnacloy,
County Tyrone
Description
The association is involved in rural education, community revitalisation and developing employment and business opportunities.
Contact Person: Brian McKenna
Ballymacarrett Arts and Cultural Society
143 Albertbridge Road,
Belfast
BT5 4PS
Phone: +44 (0)28 9046 0707
E-mail: gnewell_bacs@hotmail.com
Description
The Arts and Cultural Society was established in the 1990s to promote cultural activities in east Belfast and has become a focus for community arts development.
Contact Person: George Newell
Ballysillan Community Forum
Ballysillan Community Forum,
Willowgrove Centre,
925 Crumlin Road,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland BT14 8AB
Phone: +44 (0)28 9039 1272
Description
The Forum operates as the umbrella group for the large number of youth, women's and community organisations in this part of north Belfast.
Contact Person: Dale Harrison
Ballysillan Women's Network
c/o Ballysillian Community Forum,
925 Crumlin Road,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland
BT14 8AB
Phone: +44 (0)28 9039 1272
Description
Network of women's groups in the north Belfast area of Ballysillan which offers help to groups with training and advisory services.
Belleek Women's Group
c/o Belleek and District Community Partnership,
Unit 2,
Craft Village,
Belleek,
County Fermanagh
Description
The group started in March 2003 after Belleek & District Community Partnership's community consultation and Action Plan identified a need for a women's group in the area and the group was set up with the support of the community partnership and Fermanagh Women's Network. It has organised various taster sessions and demonstrations open to all women in the area eg recreational, health, alternative health, crafts etc.
Blayney Blades
Parish Centre,
Castleblayney,
County Monaghan,
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)42 974 0936
E-mail: blayneyblades@eircom.net
Description
Founded in 1995 Blayney Blades provide education and training programme for women, a counselling service and an out-of-school childcare service.
Contact Person: Olive Bolger
Border Arts
24A Main Street,
Castlederg,
County Tyrone,
BT81 7AS
Phone: +44 (0)28 816 70636
E-mail: peacecentre@eircom.net
Description
Border Arts organises arts related activities in the Castlederg/Ballybofey area. Projects have included classical music, traditional music, workshops, drumming project, carnivals, contemporary dance, painting, drama, circus skills, concerts and tuition in several instruments.
Contact Person: Gordon Speer
Broughshane and District Community Association
10 Buckna Road,
Broughshane,
County Antrim
BT42 4NJ
Phone: +44 (0)28 2586 2777
E-mail: broughshane@nacn.org
Description
The Association is a long-established and successful community group from the early 1970s with an aim of improving community relations through the improvement of the social, educational and recreational facilities within the village and the surrounding district.
Contact Person: Sandy Wilson
Calipo Theatre and Picture Company
Barlow House,
West Street,
Drogheda,
County Louth
Website: www.calipo.ie/
Phone: +353 (0)41 983 7455
E-mail: calipo@eircom.net
Description
Calipo Theatre Company was founded in 1994 in Drogheda. The company was established by former members of the Droichead Youth Theatre with the intention of creating more opportunities for young actors to perform and continue training.
Contact Person: Collette Farrell
Castleblayney Arts and Community Development Company Ltd
Conabury,
Castleblayney,
County Monaghan
Phone: +353 (0)42 974 0195
E-mail: cacrc@eircom.net
Description
The group are based in the Castleblayney Arts and Community Resource Centre which was established in 2001 and has acted as the stimulus for cross-border cooperation in a number of sectors.
Contact Person: Celine McArdle
Cavan Youth Drama
The Arts Office,
Cavan County Council,
Cavan, County Cavan,
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)49 437 1799
E-mail: peacecentre@eircom.net
Contact Person: Mary Hanley
Clogher Valley Rural Centre
Creebought House,
47 Main Street,
Clogher,
County Tyrone
BT76 0AA
Website: www.clogher.com/
Phone: +44 (0) 28 855 48872
E-mail: ruralcentre@clogher.com
Description
The Centre acts as an information and resource centre for community groups wishing to develop cross-community and cross-border co-operation throughout the border regions, North and South.
Contact Person: Heather McLaughlin
Clonard Monastery Youth Centre
Clonard Gardens,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland
BT13 2RL
Phone: +44 (0)28 9032 5939
E-mail: peacecentre@eircom.net
Description
The Centre is a voluntary full-time youth centre situated in the Clonard district of the Falls Road, Belfast.
Contact Person: Crawford Fitzsimmon
Drogheda Area Womens Network (DAWN)
Ropewalk,
Magdalene Street,
Drogheda,
County Louth,
Ireland
Description
The central ethos and mission of DAWN is to make education, training, support and information accessible to all women
Fermanagh College
Fairview,
1 Dublin Road,
Enniskillen,
County Fermanagh,
Northern Ireland
BT74 6AE
Website: www.fermanaghcoll.ac.uk/
Phone: +44 (0)28 6632 2431
Description
Fermanagh College is an award winning college that pledges to provide quality education and training to meet the learning needs of the community, the individual, schools and industry, thereby contributing to the educational and economic development of Fermanagh.
Contact Person: Elizabeth Morrison
Foyle Friend
37 Clarendon Street,
Derry,
County Londonderry,
Northern Ireland,
BT48 7ER
Website: www.iol.ie/~nwgay/
Phone: +44 (0)28 7126 3120
E-mail: info@foylefriend.org
Description
Foyle Friend provides information, support, advocacy and training to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexual orientation.
Contact Person: Sean Morrin
Léargas
189-193 Parnell Street,
Dublin 1
Website: www.leargas.ie/
Phone: +353 (0)1 873 1411
E-mail: info@leargas.ie
Description
Léargas is Ireland's National Agency for the management of transnational programmes in the areas of Youth Work, Primary and Secondary Education, Vocational Education and Training, and LifeLong Learning. The National Centre for Guidance in Education is also based in Léargas.
Contact Person: Jim Mullin
Limavady Area Partnership Ltd (formerly Limavady District Partnership)
Council Offices,
7 Connell Street,
Limavady,
County Londonderry,
Northern Ireland
BT49 0HA
Phone: +44 (0)28 7776 0306
E-mail: peace2@limavady.gov.uk
Contact Person: Paul Beattie
National Learning Network
c/o Roslyn Park College, Beach Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4, County Dublin
Phone: +353 (0)1 205 7276
E-mail: info@nln.ie
Description
National Learning Network is Ireland's largest non-Government training organisation with more than 50 purpose built training and employment units nationwide catering for over 4,500 students each year. Its objective is to assist people at a disadvantage in the labour market to learn the skills they need to build lasting careers in jobs that reflect their interests and abilities. This is achieved through a brand of training, education, mployment access and enterprise development that is respected and often replicated across
New Haven Trust
DHaven House,
36 Pound Road,
Newry,
County Down,
Northern Ireland,
BT35 8DT
Phone: +44 (0)28 3026 9502
E-mail: peacecentre@eircom.net
Description
New Haven Trust was set up to help in the education/training and rehabilitation of ex-offenders and people suffering from alcohol/drug addiction to enable them to earn their living and develop their full potential as members of society. To provide counselling/advice and assistance to said individuals and their families and to further the advancement of training and education of the aforementioned persons by undertaking environmental work programmes.
Contact Person: Thomas Coyle
Newry and Mourne Carers' Association
Ballybot House,
Newry,
County Down,
BT35 8BG
Phone: +44 (0)28 3026 7015
E-mail: nmca@cinni.org
Description
NMCA provides information, advice support, education, crisis intervention, training, advocacy and a social outlet to carers. We also have a cross-border carers project and a Young Carers' project. The aim of the association is to endeavour to empower carers so that they can participate fully in community life and have a reasonable quality of life.
Contact Person: Sue Cunningham
Newry and Mourne Women Ltd
Ballybot House,
28 Cornmarket,
Newry,
County Down,
BT35 8BG
Phone: +44 (0)28 3025 6148
E-mail: newwomen@globalnet.co.uk
Description
Newry and Mourne Women Ltd was developed in 1999 by different groups of women in the area who saw a need to be a voice for women and it has established 16 groups in the area to promote women’s issues.
Contact Person: Kathleen Smith
North West Institute of Further and Higher Education
Strand Road,
Derry,
County Londonderry,
Northern Ireland
BT48 7BY
Website: http://www.nwifhe.ac.uk/
Phone: +44 (0)28 7127 6504
Description
The Institute aims to:
Encourage and facilitate participation in education
Provide a wide choice of high-quality learning opportunities for people aged over sixteen, of varying abilities and backgrounds
Meet efficiently the needs of corporate clients and public organisations for training services and consultancy
Enable those who study and work with the Institute to achieve success, fulfilment and progress.
Contact Person: Gerry McGuckin
Mid-Ulster Women's Network
27-29 Moneymore Road,
Magherafelt,
County Londonderry,
Northern Ireland,
BT45 6AG
Phone: +44 (0)28 7963 4781
E-mail: peacecentre@eircom.net
Description
The Mid-Ulster Women's Network (MUWN) provides local women in the mid-Ulster areas with a strong voice, with real opportunities for personal development, training and education and leisure pursuits, fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation for those women and their families, who by reason of social or economic circumstances, have need of such facilities, so that their quality of life may be improved. The activities of MUWN include the following: providing assistance for the formation of new groups( i.e. agreeing a constitution, financial training, committee training, sourcing funding and training needs and sourcing value-for-money training providers).
Polymer Training Limited (formerly British Polymer Training Association)
Coppice House,
Halesfield 7,
Telford,
County Shropshire,
United Kingdom
TF7 4NA
Website: www.ptlonline.org/
E-mail: general@ptlonline.org
Description
INTERREG II-supported sectoral skills training for the rapidly-changing polymer industry across the Irish border region.
Contact Person: Sharmaine Bowers
Positive Youth Links
18 Bond's Hill,
Waterside,
Derry,
County Londonderry,
BT47 6DW
Phone: +44 (0)78 5108 1040
E-mail: peacecentre@eircom.net
Description
The group emerged in October 2003 from a cross-border and cross-community training program developed by YMCA in Milford and The Villages Together in North Tyrone. The training program brought 18-30 yr olds together to examine common issues through personal development and community leadership training.
Rathcoole Churches Community Group
The Dunanney Centre, Rathmullan Drive,
Newtownabbey,
County Antrim
BT37 9NF
Phone:+44 (0)28 9085 4616
Description
The Group aims to create in the Dunanney Centre a place where all parts of the communty can come to safely take part in employment, training and educational activities.
Contact Person: Alan Rufli
Redeemer Pilots Women's Training Programme
c/o Redeemer Girls' School, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk, County Louth
Phone:+353 (0)42 932 8124
Description
The Redeemer Pilots programme (begun in 1994) offered training and personal development to women from the Cox's Demesne area of Dundalk. In 1998 the project sought to develop links with similar groups North of the border to explore themes relating to poverty and discrimination, using creative drama as the medium for the linkages.
Contact Person: Kathleen O'Reilly
Smashing Times Theatre Company Ltd
Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7
Website: www.smashingtimes.ie
Phone:+353 (0)1 865 6613
E-mail: info@smashingtimes.ie
Description
Smashing Times Theatre Company has a long history of using theatre to promote peace building through the arts and of working with, and linking groups from Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Contact Person: Freda Manweiler
South Tyrone Empowerment Project (STEP)
Unit T7, Dungannon Business Park, 2 Coalisland Road,
Dungannon,
County Tyrone
BT71 6JT
Website: www.stepni.org
Phone:+44 (0)28 8772 9002
E-mail: info@stepni.org
Description
STEP offers community development training and other interpreting and services for migrant workers across the South Tyrone area and further afield in Northern Ireland.
South West Fermanagh Development Organisation Ltd (SWFDO)
Teemore BT92 9BL
Phone:+353 (0)28 6774 8893
E-mail: teemorecomplex@hotmail.com
Description
South West Fermanagh Development Organisation (SWFDO) was established to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of South West Fermanagh and environs without the distinction of age, sex, race, political, religious or other opinion. The group encourages economic activities that will promote alternative employment in the region, thereby retaining the local people in the Community. In furtherance of these aims the groups will provide, with appropriate assistance, Advisory, Financial, Educational and other Training Services to the Community. It will promote greater economic wealth through the support of business and industrial diversification, backed up by research and professional evaluation, and seek to encourage the provision of enhanced employment opportunities within the region. To this end, the Organisation provides premises for letting to business start-up or developing companies.
Contact Person: James McBarron
The Bytes Project
1a Millennium Way, Springvale Business Park,
Belfast, BT12 7AL
Phone:+44 (0)28 9028 8810
E-mail: patricia.haren@synergycentres.org
Description
The Bytes Project through the informal usage of ICT will provide young, excluded people from seven areas of high deprivation within Belfast and one area in Derry with person centred personal development to include single identity and cross community projects. The project aims to increase the confidence and knowledge of the participants with a view to eradicating the barriers that stand between them and employment, education and training.
Contact Person: Patricia Haren
Triskele Community Training and Development
Workhouse Resource Centre, Shercock Road,
Carrickmacross, County Monaghan,
Phone:+353 (0)42 966 3706
E-mail: info@triskele.ie
Description
This project aims to support the delivery of life-long learning opportunities through community development training to minority groups that experience disadvantage in the East Border region and facilitating the clustering of these groups on a cross-border/ cross-community basis
Contact Person: Assumpta Kelly
Trojans Youth & Community Development Group
BT48 9TF
Phone:+44 (0)28 7128 6698
Description
Phase II of the peace II-supported project aims to continue the work of bringing three groups together - Trojans (Creggan), East End (Coleraine) and Cockhill (County Donegal) - in a three-month programme of structured training, with a cross-community/border residential weekend at an outdoor pursuits centre at the end of every programme. The project has worked to demonstrate a contribution to personal support and guidance, which will be offered to the participants, as well as dealing with truancy, crime reduction, tackling drug and alcohol issues, providing Information Technology and soccer skills training. 'Project Approach' will involve young people in the evaluation process and in the identification of further education / training programmes.
Contact Person: Rodney Dalzell
Upstate Theatre Project
Barlow House, West Street, Drogheda, County Louth
Website: www.upstate.ie
Phone:+353 (0)41 984 4227
E-mail: admin@upstate.ie
Description
Upstate Theatre Project was founded as an independent, community-centred theatre organisation in July 1997, following almost a year of research and road-testing. The company has enjoyed outstanding success over its first five years, presenting - in the words of the Arts Council's quarterly newsletter 'Art Matters' - "a diverse range of fully professional theatre in Drogheda, the North East and beyond".
Upstate is located in Drogheda, County Louth, an ancient town steeped in history, and now in the hands of a young, vibrant and increasingly multi-cultural population. Less than an hour by road, (or half-an-hour by train) from Dublin, Drogheda is a major gateway to the border counties of Louth, Monaghan, and Cavan. Upstate's work draws not only from the life and culture of the town and surrounding area, but also from this wider border region, an area rich in literary and theatrical tradition. The project is also ideally located to develop links with colleagues and communities across the border in Northern Ireland.
Upstate seeks to attain the highest standards of excellence in its new writing and artistic productions, while breaking new ground in its innovative relationships with community organisations, its educational and training programmes and its links with artists and communities in Northern Ireland and overseas.
Contact Person: Declan Mallon
Warren House Group
Dartington, Totnes, County , England TQ9 6EG
Website: www.whg.org.uk
Phone:+44 (0)1803 862231
E-mail: admin@whg.org.uk
Description
The Warren House Group was established in the 1970s to conduct research and training/design strategies in order to assist families and children marginalised in Western countries.
Whiterock Children's Centre
Whiterock Road, Belfast BT12 7FW
Phone:+44 (0)28 9027 8107
E-mail: chrissie.cahill@usdt.org
Description
Whiterock Children's Centre is a non-profit making community based organisation which offers a diverse range of services to children and their families. The Centre's mission is to provide accessible quality facilities which will offer child/family centred care, learning and training and maximise opportunities for students, workers and the community and create local employment and enterprise.
Contact Person: Deirdre Walsh
