Clanrye Group Honoured at Civic Reception Marking 40 Years of Service

Staff and representatives from Clanrye Group attended a civic reception on Monday 20 March hosted by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage.

The event, which took place in Council Offices in Monaghan Row, was to mark the anniversary of delivering 40 years of service to the local community. During the reception staff recounted stories from the organisation’s early beginnings as a community workshop in Canal Street in 1982 with only a handful of staff and local trainees. 

The organisation has grown in size since then and now has more than 130 staff and volunteers across five locations. Members of the Board who have been with the organisation since the late 1980’s, are still invested and are proud of what the organisation has become today. From connecting residents with local employers through their employability programmes, empowering individuals to secure training and qualifications through their range of training programmes, to helping the community improve their quality of life through the provision of physical, mental health and wellbeing services, the organisation is always trying to stay ahead by delivering solutions through projects that put the people and community first.

The Council has supported Clanrye Group since the early 1990s, match-funding a variety of disability and employability programmes, and as such has an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the support the organisation brings to local citizens of the district.  Congratulating the staff, board members and volunteers for their incredible contribution, Chairperson Councillor Michael Savage said, “It is understandable why this community organisation took home the prestigious accolade for ‘Best Community Well-being Initiative’ in the Pride of Place Awards 2023.

“Clanrye Group keeps people and the community at the heart of everything they do through the range of services they provide, giving people the confidence and the skills they need to make their way in life and fulfil their true potential.  This remarkable organisation is truly unique and it was my pleasure to host this civic reception in their honour.”

Clanrye Group Chief Executive, Liam Devine said, “We would like to thank Newry Mourne and Down District Council for their continued support, and fully appreciate the Pride of Place award nomination and the recent civic reception held in honour of our contribution to the community. We feel privileged to be able to support local people on a daily basis and hope to continue doing this for another 40 years. I would like to thank the team at Clanrye Group for their dedication and willingness to go above and beyond, quite often during challenging times. You are a credit to this organisation.”

The organisation has produced a celebration video to mark the 40-year celebration, and they are inviting residents to view this on their YouTube channel.