Celebrating ConneXions in the North West

Thursday 16 June 2011

‘ConneXions that matter’ is the theme of a new cross-border project supporting people with disabilities to connect with their local communities.  The project in the North West, financed by the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body was officially launched on Thursday 16th June at An Grianan Hotel, Burt, Co. Donegal. 

ConneXions is being delivered by The Cedar Foundation, in partnership with the National Learning Network.  It will support networks of people with disabilities in the Donegal and Foyle areas.  ConneXions has been delivering capacity building training to disabled people, who will now set up and develop social networks. The groups will encourage and support others to take part in activities in their local communities.

At the launch event, 20 service users who have been taking part in Capacity Building Training to become social network leaders were presented with certificates of achievement.

Speaking at the event Stephen Mathews, Chief Executive of Cedar said, “Partnership Working is a key tenet of Cedar and ConneXions is a shining example of what can be achieved when organisations collaborate.  I would like to thank the National Learning Network for their support in the development of ConneXions.  I would also like to thank Interreg IVA for funding this action research programme which will, not only provide much needed support to enable people with disabilities to challenge the barriers they experience, but will also inform the future development of services to address these barriers in the long term.”

On being presented with a certificate Donna Russell from Letterkenny commented,“I enjoyed meeting new people who were from a similar background and organising activities for ourselves without the restrictions of wider society.  I hope that we can have more of a say in our own future and give out a positive message to society.”

David Muldoon from the National Learning Network added, “NLN sees maximum inclusion in society by people with disabilities as its primary goal.  ConneXions provides an innovative and practical approach to encouraging social engagement and we are delighted to be associated with it.”