Press Release
13 June 2005
For immediate release
Family Enrichment Centre nominated for ‘Pride of Place’ Award
The Family Enrichment Centre in Stranorlar is among five community projects from Co. Donegal that has been nominated to participate in this years ‘Pride of Place’ awards. Pride of Place is a competition, which celebrates and showcases community group activities and contributions to society.
The Family Enrichment Centre has been nominated for a Pride of Place award for the innovative approach taken by the members of the local community under the direction of the Family Enrichment Centre to redevelop a garden for residents in St Josephs Hospital, Stranorlar. The garden, appropriately named the ‘Garden of Peace’ provides comfort and support to the elderly residents in the Hospital. The walkways and the various features of the garden have been carefully designed and developed with relaxation and memory stimulus that meet the needs of the residents.
Although the Pride of Place award scheme first started in 2003, this is the first year of nominations from County Donegal and Donegal County Council, in conjunction with Donegal County Development Board, has been working with Co-Operation Ireland to get this award scheme up and running in the County.
Pride of Place is a crossborder initiative of the Local Authority All-Island Steering Forum hosted by Co-operation Ireland. The focus is on rewarding people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their local area. The competition is unique in that it recognises and rewards people for their vital contributions to their local community. Too often, the tremendous time and effort that people put into community activities on a purely voluntary basis is overlooked.
Cllr. Patrick McGowan, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council stated that “’Pride of Place’ is a very prestigious award and recognises the great work of people in our community who very often do not seek recognition for the fruits of their labour. These awards are a great source of motivation for many communities and can give a boost and inspiration to others who wish to achieve something similar”. He added that “the Family Enrichment Centre in Stranorlar is well deserving of a nomination for this prestigious award. This centre provides support to all the area and the development of the Garden of Peace for residents of St. Josephs Hospital in Stranorlar is a wonderful achievement and is a great example of what communities working together for their own area can achieve.”
Through out the County five groups have been short listed for inclusion in the prestigious awards ceremony. The five groups selected are:
Fóram Pobail Ghaeltacht Thír Chonaill (FPGTC) - E Fóram Project
Culdaff Community Association –Culdaff Wee Hall Project
Family Enrichment Centre – Stranorlar
Cairde Le Chéille – Letterkenny
Churches Together Project – St Johnston area
All five short listed groups went through a vigorous short listing process to be selected as the Donegal representatives for the Pride of Place Awards and Michael O’ hÉanaigh, Director of Community, Culture and Enterprise in Donegal County Council stated that “considering the quality of work being undertaken in the County by the community and voluntary sector great success is assured with the inclusion of these exciting and innovative projects in the National Competition”.
Further information on the Pride of Place awards can be requested by contacting John Curran, Donegal County Council in the Dungloe Public Services Centre on 074 9561300.
END
For further information contact:
Anne Marie Conlon
Communications Officer
Tel: 074 91 72574
Mob: 087 919 2275
Email: amconlon@donegalcoco.ie