Choice Housing, one of Northern Ireland’s largest housing associations, is set to host a vibrant Country Fest to mark the successful conclusion of a five-year Good Relations-based initiative.
The programme, designed to support tenants in shared housing schemes, will culminate in a free community event at the Tower Centre in Ballymena this Saturday, 29 March, from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.
The Country Fest promises a lively afternoon of live musical performances, featuring a stellar line-up of local country stars.
Attendees can look forward to sets from Hugo Duncan, Country Harmony, Fiddler Adam, Boxcar Brian, and Bonny Stewart. The event is open to people from all walks of life, offering an opportunity to come together and enjoy a celebration of music and community spirit.
Cyril Moorhead, Choice Housing’s Good Relations Officer and a key organiser of the event, expressed his enthusiasm for the occasion.
“It was very important to celebrate the five-year Good Relations Programme for our Shared Housing Development Nursery Close in Ballymena,” he said.
“We’re delighted to mark the end of five years with tenants and the greater community in Ballymena. We would like to thank both the management team at the Tower Centre and Ballymena Business Improvement District for their invaluable assistance and support with this event.”
Mr Moorhead also encouraged ongoing engagement from tenants, adding:
“We would encourage tenants to continue to engage with Choice through our Community Network, Community Champions, Service Improvement Team, and similar initiatives to ensure the progress made through this initiative continues to develop.”
Choice Housing manages over 12,000 homes across Northern Ireland, offering a mix of supported, sheltered, and general needs housing. The association plays a significant role in the ‘Housing for All programme,’ which focuses on fostering diverse and inclusive communities.
With seven shared housing schemes operating throughout the region, Choice has demonstrated the positive impact such developments can have on local areas.
Saturday’s event is organised by Choice and supported by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy. This initiative underscores the Executive’s commitment to enhancing community relations and promoting a more united and shared society.
The Country Fest is free to enter, and all are welcome to join in the festivities at the Tower Centre this weekend. It promises to be a fitting tribute to five years of progress in Ballymena’s shared housing community.