Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group

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First meeting of residents panel is success.

2nd February 2010

29^th – 30^th January saw 31 people from Suffolk and Lenadoon travel to the Derrynoid Centre in Draperstown to explore the possibility of setting up a Suffolk and Lenadoon resident’s panel. The resident’s panel would be; Representative of Suffolk and Lenadoon residents, regularly engaged to assess public opinions, concerns, issues concerning the community and of assistance to SLIG in helping us to engage with a wider community audience.

The residential was attended by thirty-one residents from both the Lenadoon and Suffolk areas and if the residential evaluations are anything to go by, it was a resounding success. Participant evaluations reflected that the core aims of the residential ‘Outlining the aims of a resident’s panel’ and ‘Increasing participant’s knowledge of SLIG and the other community’ were either ‘very well’ or ‘fairly well’ met. Other topics covered included; a review of government policy in relation to community cohesion and shared futures, the opportunities, threats and challenges facing both communities, how to make political representation more representative and how do both communities engage with their young people.

As you can see the residential had a full programme of formal activities to get through, much of which was completed in small groups. However, those present had time to socialize informally on the Friday evening and again feedback from the evaluations would illustrate that everyone enjoyed the location and services provided at the Derrynoid centre.

Following on from the residential it was agreed to setup the resident’s panel and its inaugural meeting will take place on the 29^th Feb in the Balmoral Hotel. Undoubtedly this meeting will build upon the enthusiasm and commitment shown by those in attendance and the panel will become an essential consultation group to SLIG’s future plans, which includes; debating the contentious issue of policing and public safety and organising a programme of SLIG summer events.

If anyone would like to know more about the resident’s panel please contact either Darren or Joe on 028 9062 9146