New community ‘Read and Feed’ project for Derry's Ballymagroarty area

Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership (BHCP) are launching a new after -schools service with a difference, supporting pupils and students to improve their literacy skills and at the same time giving them a hot meal and for parents their children are fed, and they have completed school work by the time they come home.

BHCP currently lead on an Outer West area wide project called Fresh Life Beyond Food, based in Synge Court in Ballymagroarty. The Community Library called Library Lane is also located in the same premises and a combination of these projects will provide for the new Read and Feed service.

The project will be launched by the Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr on Friday, October 11 at 1.00pm in 14, Synge Court, Ballymagroarty.

Looking ahead to the launch Mayor Barr said it would assist local families on a number of levels.

“I am absolutely delighted to be invited to launch this initiative which takes a multi-faceted approach to supporting local families,” she said. “The project will help alleviate some of the daily pressures for parents, while providing a welcoming and supportive learning environment for children.

“The addition of a warm meal is particularly welcome during these very challenging times when many families are struggling to put good quality meals on the table.”

Speaking prior to the launch, Emer McDaid, Partnership Manager, BHCP said: “Within the 'Read and Feed Project' our objectives encompass addressing food scarcity, advocating for food waste reduction, and enhancing skills through an early intervention and prevention strategy by establishing after-school clubs for both primary and secondary school students.

“These clubs will offer a conducive environment for completing homework, granting access to library resources and computers, along with providing a nutritious dinner. The meals served will be prepared using ingredients sourced from our "Fresh Life Project" to contribute to food waste reduction efforts.”

She continued: “The Synge Court Hub recognises the prevalent struggles many face amid the escalating cost of living and soaring food prices. It is intended to sustain our food distribution efforts in collaboration with Fareshare, facilitating access to essential supplies during challenging times.

“Additionally, to promote the reduction of food waste and utilising a ‘reuse’ strategy, the remaining resources will be allocated to preparing meals for after-school clubs hosted within the library premises. The Library Lane initiative endeavours to provide complimentary computer and internet access as part of the library's amenities.”

The Feed and Read Hub will create opportunities and activities that will complement school performance, give children the chance to play with friends and enjoy their learning whilst building resilience and social skills.

The Hub will contribute to creating happy building blocks for the children of the future by adopting a creativity approach in developing programmes such as: Homework programmes; Art therapy programmes; Mini drama programmes; Accelerated reading.

Ballymagroarty is an area of high deprivation located in the Outer West Neighbourhood Renewal and Local Growth Partnership area, who seek to provide facilities and services to all the community from birth to old age. It is the community umbrella group encompassing The Foyleside DEA including Rosemount, the Glen, Ballymagroarty - Hazelbank and the Coshquin area.

Lisa Maguire, Partnership Strategy Manager welcomed the initiative asaid: “I want to congratulate Emer and her staff from BHCP for this initiative. It is a simple way of developing two services to get maximum impact.

“The young people who will avail of the service will have the opportunity to have a better quality of life and to gain skills that can have life changing impacts for their futures.”

The launch will consist of a tour of the facility by Fresh Life Facilitator, Rose Marie Griffin, an overview of the initiative by Emer McDaid, a speech on the current challenges in the Outerwest area by Lisa Maguire and the Mayor will formally launch the initiative. This will be followed by a buffet and proceedings will conclude at 3.00pm.