Team Work Saves Summer Scheme

Fold Housing Association who are currently developing 199 new homes at Rathgill Parade  have come together, with our contractors Kelly Brothers (Phase 1) and Hugh J O’Boyle (Phase 2) to support a children’s summer scheme at Breezemount.

Kelly Kitchen, Development Officer with Fold said, “Fold Housing Association is currently building 199 new homes for families and single people, split over 2 phases of our Rathgill Parade development in Bangor and representing an investment of £18 million in the local area.  Throughout the construction period, a particular emphasis has been placed on creating meaningful employment opportunities on site for both apprentices and individuals who are long term unemployed.  In addition, through the terms of their contracts with Fold, the appointed construction contractors also invest in deserving local community initiatives. We are delighted that the Breezemount  Summer Scheme, which was under threat this year due to a funding shortage, will benefit from this support.  The plight of the scheme was brought to our attention by Alex Easton MLA and as a result, Fold, Kelly Brothers and H J O’Boyle have been able to make financial donations which will ensure the sustainability of the summer scheme for this year”.

She added, “Development of this new neighbourhood is underpinned by quality design and the aspiration to create a highly desirable, safe and inclusive place to live.   Across the two phases of the new development, areas of formalised open space will be created along with a new retail facility which will serve the local community.  The completion of phase 1 is expected in early 2017 with the first homes being occupied in late 2016.   The 97 homes in phase 2) will be completed by March 2018.

Alex Easton MLA said, “I was very conscious of what the loss of the Breezemount summer scheme was having on the families and children in the Breezemount area after the Council withdrew the summer scheme from the area. This resulted in a great deal of upset so with this in mind, I approached Fold Housing Association to see if they could help towards filling the gap for this year until other funding streams could be found. I was delighted that not only did Fold Housing Association agree to pay for one week of the three week summer schemes they also put me in contact with the two contractors who are building the new homes in the Rathgill area who have also agreed to fund the other two weeks. I am delighted to say that the three between them have donated £1100 and the summer scheme in Breezemount can now go ahead. I would like to thank Fold Housing, Kelly BrothersKelly brothers and Hugh J O''Boyle contactors for their kind and generous donation to the community of Breezemount.”

Ian Doran, Site Manager, Kelly Brothers  said,  “It’s great that the children will enjoy their summer scheme this year and that the support  is going to something important to local families.”

Joe McLeigh, Site Manager, Hugh J O’Boyle said, “Supporting the summer scheme at Breezemount will have a positive impact on the local community and we hope all the children enjoy all the activities and fun to be had in the coming months.”

Fold and Helm are working towards a merger in 2017 with the intention of enhancing further their services to all customers and increasing the supply of new quality homes.

Caption
Pictured above: Children from Breezemount in Bangor get ready for summer scheme  fun at  Breezemount Community Centre thanks to support from Fold Housing Association, Kelly Brothers and H J O’Boyle.  Pictured back (L _ R) Sam Cleland, Fold’s Clerk of Works, Joe, McLeigh, H J O’Boyle, Ann McCrea, Breezemount Community Association, Kelly Kitchen, Development Officer, Fold, Ian Doran, Kelly Brothers, Alex Easton MLA and Alderman Wesley Irvine, Ards & North Down B