An outdoor event, facilitated by Blue Green Yonder that took place at Castle Island, Enniskillen this week provided opportunities for people of all abilities to take part in a range of outdoor recreation activities. ‘Adventure for All’, led by Choice Housing and funded by Newpark Homes, formed part of the housing associations Good Relations Week initiatives, which aim to use community-based events and projects to foster inclusion, diversity and community relations.
Participants took part in a range of accessible, instructor-led sessions, including archery, adapted water sports, bushcraft, and willow weaving. Delivered by specialist facilitators with expertise in inclusive outdoor engagement, the event also offered specialist workshops aimed at providing practical ways to make activities which are traditionally not accessible to those with disabilities available and enjoyable.
Tammy Rountree, Good Relations Officer with Choice said,
“Adventure for All is another example of the importance of engagement and collaboration in local communities. Working together, we were able to identify an area of need from within the local community and as a result put together an itinerary of activities that offered an opportunity for the community to come together, have fun and take part in activities they are interested in.
“We are proud to provide a space where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully, develop new skills, and enjoy the outdoors together.
The initiative brought together local residents, community groups and tenants from Choice Housing schemes, including their housing for all scheme Rossole Heights, Sligo Road, Enniskillen which was developed by Newpark Homes.
Simon Johnston, Project Manager at Newpark Homes, who funded the event, added,
"Newpark Homes is delighted to sponsor the “Adventure for All” event in partnership with Choice. This initiative presents a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together and promote inclusion within the local area. We are excited to be involved and look forward to collaborating with Choice on future events that aim to make a positive impact".
The event was run by outdoor adventure centre Blue Green Yonder.
A key element of the good relations work for shared housing developments is identifying the challenges local communities are facing and using this to develop tailored projects that support these areas.
This involves collaborating with residents, partners and other stakeholders to deliver beneficial community relations through the establishment of the Enniskillen Shared Neighbourhood Advisory Group.
With over 13,000 properties across Northern Ireland, and a staff of c500 people, Choice provides a mix of supported, sheltered and general needs housing across Northern Ireland. The association currently has seven shared housing developments across the region.
