oldwarrenpointforum

Warrenpoint Community Partnership (WCP) was formed in 2007 after a number of groups in town came together to discuss a joint application to the Department of Social Development’s Community Fund and to agree on a fair allocation of available funds.

It was agreed there was a need for a platform where local groups could come together to discuss areas of mutual interest, combine their resources and undertake joint projects that would not be possible for any individual group to deliver with any degree of success.

Consequently, Warrenpoint Community Fund was formed and a Community House was opened at Thomas St. Rental was shared with South Down Family Health Initiative. Meeting facilities were used by most member groups and a number of other activities undertaken including B.E.L.L (Basic English/ European Language Learning and Senior Citizens Art Classes. The Community House was also used by a number of Statutory and Voluntary Counselling Agencies.

In September 2009 due to lack of funding we made the decision to vacate the building and to seek alternative accommodation. One of the WCP member group, the John McCoy Amateur Boxing Club offered us a classroom at the rear of their premises. We relocated in September, and soon all our groups were using our new home for their regular meetings.

We are currently in the process of expanding available space by adding another classroom; this will allow us to offer use of a computer suite with photo-copying facilities to the local community.

We now have Thai Chi classes running every Monday & Wednesday nights and have received funding for further Senior Citizens Art Classes that will begin in September.

Funding has been applied for that will enable us to organise a number of additional courses such as Computer, Art & Craft, Media and Drama courses.
Fundraising events have allowed us to bring the Action Cancer Big Bus to Warrenpoint twice every year since 2007, and we aim to continue bringing this valuable and important service back twice yearly.

We have also been busy with Volunteering Schemes, Tree Planting in Ringmacilroy Park and lobbying the local Council to address the serious problem we have with Dog-fouling around the town.

All our groups have worked closely with local agencies such as The Confederation of Local Community Groups, Newry Volunteer Bureau, Peace 111, Mourne Heritage Trust, Community Safety Partnership and members have attended many seminars on Funding, building community capacity, networking and co-operating with other groups, and have organised child protection and stewarding courses.

WCP also increased their member groups during the past year. Our members groups are:

Warrenpoint Boxing Club
Warrenpoint Youth Club
The Friendship Group
Puzzles
Little Bugs
Live & Loud
Young Adult Partnership
Warrenpoint Community Rescue
Warrenpoint Town F.C
Warrenpoint Boat Club
Whoop De Do Drama Group
Warrenpoint Radio Club
Carrickree Residents Association
Warrenpoint Maiden of the Mournes Festival Committee
Warrenpoint Environment Culture & Heritage Collective
Tai - Chi Group
B.E.L.L. Basic English & European Language Learning
S.O.B.A.G Save Our Baths Action Group
Open Door Club

Membership is open to all clubs and groups and clubs in the Warrenpoint area. All our facilities are available to any groups and they may have up to 3 members sitting on the executive committee. Information on upcoming funding opportunities, courses and other items of interest like events that groups wish to promote are circulated to all member groups.