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Pictured at the launch of the Alpha funded interactive play area at Suffolk Community Centre, West Belfast
29 September 2011
Volunteers and staff at Suffolk Community Centre, Belfast celebrated with the Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, after creating an open play space for local children through hard work and determination.
Created from a piece of land that wasn`t being used the interactive play space was funded by the Alpha Programme.
This supports environmentally led physical regeneration schemes through landfill tax credits to projects within a ten mile radius of the Mullaghglass landfill site in Lisburn. The programme is managed and delivered by environmental regeneration charity Groundwork NI.
Suffolk Community Centre committee received £48,897.50 from the Alpha Programme after an application by its management committee in 2009.The open play space, located in the grounds of the community centre has been designed by local people working with the committee, council staff and Groundwork.
Councillor Ó Donnghaile said he was greatly impressed by the resulting play space. “While Community Centres are usually council-owned buildings the programmes are largely run by local people in partnership with our staff.
“It is good to see that a pro-active committee at Suffolk took the lead on this project and worked hard so that we can celebrate today. I congratulate the committee members in particular, but also congratulate the local community who have supported them on this venture.
Lyle Andrew, Alpha Resource Management said: “We are delighted that the Alpha Programmes` contribution has met the lack of provision for a safe and secure recreational amenity on a derelict piece of land at Suffolk Community Centre.
“This interactive play area has transformed an unused piece of land into place where young children and people enjoy daily activities. This has helped to promote a healthy and active routine for people using the play area and ensures a safe environment in which to do so.”
Chairman of the Management Committee, Darren McKinley, who was among those who helped achieve the funding said: “This centre is at the heart of a deprived community, and it is important to show that by working together we can help create a better life for us all.
“Yes there were difficult days during the project`s completion but it was worth it and I would like to thank in particular Alpha Resource Management Ltd which set up the Alpha Fund which funded our play area and Groundwork which helped us manage it. I would also like to thank Belfast City Council which worked in partnership with the Suffolk Centre Committee to ensure the successful completion of the project.”
Representatives from Maghaberry Community Association celebrate Alpha Programme funding for their outdoor sports area.
The programme was launched by Groundwork NI, invites groups to apply for grants that will be allocated to those organisations that can demonstrate they have the ideas to transform their local surroundings for the better.
All projects must be located within ten miles of the Mullaghglass landfill site at Castlerobin near Lisburn. This covers the greater Lisburn and Belfast areas, Crumlin and areas towards Knutts Corner all eligible to apply.
Commenting on the launch of the Alpha Programme, Richard Rogers, the Project Manager said:
"This is an exciting opportunity for those in the greater Lisburn and Belfast areas to make a real difference and a positive contribution over the next few years to the area through their innovative ideas and forward thinking.
It could be creating new and safe play areas for children, restoring an old pond, refurbishing community buildings, creating community woodland or enhancing a local garden or parkland. Through similar projects we have managed previously we have seen that similar projects have witnessed real benefits for local communities both socially and environmentally.
The possibilities for regeneration are endless and I would encourage those with a vision of how to make their local community a better place to be to get in contact with us"
This new environmental grants programme is funded through the Landfill Tax Credits generated from the Mullaghglass landfill site operated by Alpha Resource Management and all applications and approval of grants will be assessed and administered by the regeneration organisation Groundwork Northern Ireland.
Depending on the nature of each individual project grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 will be available and allocated under two categories: Community-based projects and Biodiversity. Download the latest edition of the Alpha Programme Newsletter here
APPLICATION FORM
Download the application form and the declaration of access below, (guidelines are included in the application form). Please fill out both forms. You can email the completed forms to melvynwaddell@groundworkni.co.uk however signed copies of both forms must be forwrded to Mel Waddell at Groundwork NI, 63-75 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB
Alpha Programme Application Form
Declaration of access 21KB word
All applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis by a Steering Group consisting of representatives from Lisburn City Council, Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Alpha Resource Management and Groundwork NI. It is expected that this funding will be available and spread over an initial period of four years.
Deadlines for completed and submitted applications for 2012:
