Destined set to establish bespoke rural Learning Disability Centre

Destined is a learning disability charity currently providing services to over 250 people each week from two centres - one in Derry City and another in Feeny, rural County Derry.

It has an ethos of empowerment and seeks to give its members the skills and self-confidence to take part in activities in their community, and also supports the community to be pro-active in the process of integration.

They have recently been successful in the ‘Time To Shine’ (T2S) leadership programme through the Rank Foundation in appointing Grainne McNickle as Project Development Manager.

In 2019 Destined were awarded funding through the Big Lottery Programme ‘Space and Place’ to create the North West Learning Disability Centre in Derry City.

Through the T2S project they want to replicate this in the rural area to establish a bespoke learning disability centre.

Destined have been operating out of a small rented unit in Feeny for over nine years and when Covid 19 hit, the building was deemed unsuitable.

A new centre would allow all Destined projects to come together under one roof, catering for all ages.

This will include the Five Circles project which delivers programmes for children with a learning disability, their parent/carers and the wider community and their adult group who partake in daily activities such as Training and Mentoring programmes, keep fit classes, cookery and much more.

“I have found the last year very tough” explained Fiona Byrne, a current Destined member.

“I am very socially isolated and miss everyone and not being able to take part in activities such as cooking and planting.

“A new building would give us focus and something to look forward to in the future.”

The new centre will be a huge asset to the rural area.

People with learning disabilities tend to experience high levels of isolation and exclusion from mainstream society and this is increased due to poor infrastructure and resources in the sector.

The centre will not only cater for the needs of Destined members but will also be open for use for the wider public and for professional organisations to make use of the shared space.

As part of the Time to Shine project Destined will be carrying out a consultation process to assess the future needs of people with learning disabilities.

They would actively encourage everyone to get involved to support the need for a new learning disability centre in the rural areas.

If you would like further information please contact Grainne at

07742864625 or email [email protected]