Celebrating ConneXions in the South East
Wednesday 22 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 is financed by the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body was officially launched on Wednesday 22nd June at the Carrickdale Hotel and Spa, Co. Louth.
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 Dundalk and Newry 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 drivers were presented with certificates of achievement by Cllr. Conor Keelan, Chairman of Dundalk Town Council and Mayor Charlie Casey, Newry and Mourne District Council. The service users were split into two cross-border groups, with one group receiving their training in Dundalk, the other in Newry.
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 Owen McCoy from Dundalk commented, “I felt privileged to work with a great group of people who have such drive and passion in their lives and do not let their disability be an obstacle to living their lives with confidence.”
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.”
To find out more about ConneXions, contact Slyvia Linehan at the Dundalk office on 086 777 6161, email connexions@cedar-foundation.org, or go to www.cedar-foundation.org/connexions.
