Almost £500,000 Lottery boost for Culmore’s new Four Corners Initiative

Culmore Community Partnership (CCP) will deliver their flagship project from Victoria Hall, which is undergoing the final stages of its current refurbishment.

The Four Corners Initiative, whose name derives from the origins of the word ‘Culmore’ meaning ‘big corner,’ aims to address need in terms of investment and community development in all four corners of Culmore by bringing the residents from all four corners together into the centre, thus ‘circling the square,’ and creating a unified, inclusive community with a strong identity through its four cornerstone themes: youth, the elderly, essential services and arts, culture and heritage.

CCP’s Chairperson, Neil Doherty, said: “Culmore Community Partnership are delighted that the National Lottery Community Fund has deemed our unique project, The Four Corners Initiative, worthy of significant funding over the next four years.

“Culmore Community Partnership started in 2015 with a group of passionate volunteers who have worked really hard to bring to the forefront, the needs of the community in Culmore. Their relentless efforts resulted in the refurbishment of Victoria Hall which will soon be open to the community.

“The funding of the Four Corners Initiative through the National Lottery Community Fund has come at a critical time when we can animate Victoria Hall in order to deliver The Four Corners Project with specific programs aimed at engaging the Youth, energizing the elderly, advising young families sharing our cultural and historical heritage and uplifting the community at large.

“These funds will help transform Victoria Hall in Culmore into an active, multi-cultural, cross community hub which we hope will encourage engagements with like-minded groups across the city and beyond borders. Huge thanks to Lottery players who have made this possible.”

CCP Development Officer Cathal Crumley said: “Lack of investment has exacerbated the sense of isolation experienced by many residents, particularly our older population and youth who do not have access to private transportation. Culmore has no playparks, youth club, community centre or café. It has no social facilities or venues, and limited public transportation. Although in recent years CCP have been involved in a process of strategic engagement with Council regarding the potential for amenities within the recently opened country park, the historic lack of investment must be viewed alongside investment made in areas of similar or smaller size and population. For these reasons we are delighted that with this significant grant CCP will be able to begin addressing these needs and contribute to the development of a cohesive community.”

Local councillor for the area Angela Dobbins concurred: “Children and youth, lone parents, the elderly, and the disabled are just a few of the groups on whom the lack of local facilities and services impacts greatest in terms of community life, inclusion, health and wellbeing, and overall quality of life. I am aware that much more needs to be done in terms of wider provision within Culmore, but I am thrilled that this vital funding will provide an important building block which will enable CCP to proceed with their wider vision for the area.”

CCP is particularly pleased that this grant, which will fund posts, programme costs, and revenue costs for four years, has coincided with the final phase of the refurbishment of Victoria Hall, the development group’s soon to be opened community hub and base for its work.

Martina Anderson, MLA, who was given a tour of the Hall while on a visit to meet CCP members said: “I could see first-hand the effort and enthusiasm that has already gone into getting the Victoria Hall back into productive use for the area. I hope that when the general health emergency subsides, the Hall can act as a base for CCP’s ongoing development role and that the building will come to life in terms of providing much needed programmes for all age groups and cultures in the area. It is at times of crisis like this that we can all see the need for having proper locally based community support in place.”

Local Councillor Sandra Duffy congratulated Culmore Community Partnership on their successful application. “I have no doubt that this project will be welcomed by residents of the area who have been campaigning for local services for some time. This has been part of CCP’s long-term plans for greater Culmore and adds value to the completion of Victoria Hall as a community asset and facility. As a local councillor, I very much look forward to seeing work on the ground with the Four Corners Initiative and the opening of Victoria Hall. Congratulations again to everyone involved in this project.”

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood also offered his congratulations. “This will provide a much-needed boost in community infrastructure in the Culmore area. As a councillor, MLA and MP I have actively worked with community groups in Culmore to help attract services and facilities to this area and I am delighted to see such a huge injection of funding which I believe is only the start for this area. Culmore Community Partnership have worked tirelessly to promote the area and gain funding which will allow them to continue their work. I look forward to help and supporting them build on this in the time ahead.”

Development Officer Cathal Crumley summarised the mood, “This is the first time any substantial community investment has come our way. We have been working for years to address the need in the area and now we have the opportunity, thanks to the National Lottery and those who support it, to make a real difference. This has been an exercise in collaborative work and an inclusive approach and we hope the people of Culmore will join us in the delivery of the programmes at every level. We look forward to working with all our local residents to make greater Culmore a dynamic and cohesive community.”