Category Seven – Community Wellbeing Initiative
Winner: Cox’s Desmesne Youth & Community Project, Dundalk, Co Louth
Summary:
Cox’s Demesne Youth & Community Project is based in a large local authority housing estate in Dundalk. In 1991 two derelict council houses were renovated by the community, spearheaded by a local man, helped by a team of 18-20 year old FÁS workers. People within the community offered their skills free of charge e.g. carpenter, bricklayer. The project became known as “The House” and generated much pride locally. The original aim was to provide a safe, welcoming place where young people could grow, develop and always feel at home, helping them in all sorts of ways. This has been maintained to the present day. It has a long legacy of community giving and it brings a cohesiveness and collaborative approach through interagency work, facilitation, investment and strategy, to the community it serves. “Well-being” is the focus that permeates through all of its activities and programmes. “The House,” is firmly established as a place of and for the community.
Group Contact: Paula Gribben
Citation:
This is a wonderful project that provides exceptional service to the community it serves. Two donated council houses have become a home from home, where new skills and new opportunities are offered to the disadvantaged youth of a housing estate. They have responded with over 200 children and young people availing of the services on a weekly basis.
