L-R: Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons and NIO Minister Fleur Anderson visit the Moravian Church in Gracehill, hosted by Bishop Sarah Groves and Rev Kiran Young Wimberly.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has hosted the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister Fleur Anderson at visits showcasing the diversity of work carried out by his Department.
Minister Lyons and Minister Anderson were in the Mid and East Antrim area to meet with participants of DfC employment programmes before visiting the Moravian village at Gracehill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Minister Lyons said the visits were an opportunity to highlight the breadth of his Department’s remit and the scope of its successes.
“From employment support programmes to the promotion and protection of our historic environment, my Department is producing positive outcomes across its varied spectrum,” said Minister Lyons.
“I am keen to promote this work and to form the basis for collaboration wherever possible, and so welcome this opportunity to highlight our successes with Minister Anderson.”
Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons with NIO Minister Fleur Anderson at Raceview Mill in Ballymena.
The Ministers’ first visits were to Mid & East Antrim Affordable Food Club and Raceview Mill where they spoke with participants on JobStart, a DfC employment programme for those at risk of long-term unemployment. The Ministers met young people from the JobStart 16-24 scheme as well as participants on JobStart 50+, all of whom have been retained after completion of their placements.
The Department received funding of £15m from the NIO to deliver JobStart 16-24 under the ‘New Deal’ funding initiative.
The NIO is also the UK Government Department sponsor for the £1.9m pilot JobStart scheme for the 50-64 age group, which is funded by HMT.
Minister Anderson said:
“It was a pleasure to meet people who have participated in the JobStart programme and hear their experiences and the opportunities the scheme has provided for them.
“JobStart is a shining example of the benefits our collaboration with the NI Executive can bring to the people of Northern Ireland. It will also help address the issue of economic inactivity and support people into good work.”
The Ministers then moved on to Gracehill, part of the Moravian Church Villages World Heritage Site after its designation by UNESCO last year.
DfC has supported the transformation of the Old Post Office into a Community Hub through the Village Catalyst programme and has funded the restoration of listed buildings in the village since the 1970s.
Minister Lyons added:
“The UNESCO recognition of a small village on the world stage is a great endorsement for Northern Ireland, reminding us all that our heritage is well worth preserving and celebrating.”
Minister Anderson concluded:
“I was thrilled when the Gracehill Moravian Church achieved UNESCO recognition last July and I had a fantastic experience visiting this cherished landmark and seeing around the village.
“It was a great opportunity to meet congregation members and volunteer guides and congratulate them on being one of only two UNESCO sites in Northern Ireland. I learnt from them about the fascinating history of the church’s past and its current work here and around the world. My sincere thanks goes to Minister Lyons for inviting me along.”
The Department (DfC) received funding totalling £15m to deliver the JobStart Scheme from the NIO under the New Deal for Northern Ireland funding initiative from June 2023 to March 2025.
The Scheme offers quality job opportunities for six-months, but this can be extended to nine-months for young people on Specialist Pathways.
1,560 young people have commenced an opportunity, 462 (30%) are on a 6-month opportunity and 1,098 (70%) on a 9-month opportunity. 1,034 participants have completed their opportunity to date with 73% (754) of completers sustaining employment rising to 81% (836) if those moving to Education/Training are also included.