New project to make life better across Lisburn is launched

Lisburn SAFE (Safer and Friendlier Environments) volunteer project aims to bring about a connected community in which eveyrone can respect each other’s core values and be proud to live, work, socialise and play.

It will be managed by Lisburn PSP in partnership with the PSNI, NIHE, SEHSC Trust and communities including Old Warren, Hillhall, Hilden, Maze and Ballymacash.

The communities are involved in a complex set of projects which are aimed at reducing disadvantage and enhancing community safety and peace building.

The organisers say community development is key to the success of the communities and working to an inter-agency approach is having a positive impact on issues such as housing, health and education.

Community safety is being improved through partnerships such as Lisburn PACT (Policing and Community Together), relationships with Youth Justice and PBNI where local placements target those involved in anti-community issues.

They say there are volunteers in all areas throughout Lisburn who have an array of skills and the project will help to develop the service provided into a more professional product with protocols and recording systems being a priority.

Speaking at the launch, Adie Bird, Lisburn PSP Projects Manager said, “The work that we propose to conduct by Lisburn SAFE is not new, in fact for many years large groups of unpaid volunteers have been working extremely hard to keep our streets in Lisburn safe and trouble free.”

Philip Dean, Lisburn PSP added: “We were asked to recruit 40 volunteers, we quickly recruited 58 with plans in place to increase this and the areas we currently work in. We are particularly pleased with the number of young people who have volunteered to assist in the betterment of their community.”

Alderman Paul Porter wished the project all the best for the future and said he was delighted to speak at the event.