Rowallane DEA Hosts Meet and Connect Event

Rowallane District Electoral Area organised a ‘Meet and Connect Event’ on Tuesday 20 September in the Ballynahinch Community Centre for Ukrainian Families that have recently arrived in the district.

The event was organised in partnership with Choice Housing, County Down Rural Community Network, Hello NMD Programme PEACE IV and WAP Ethnic Minority Support to engage with and welcome new families to the area. The packed programme enabled participants to access information in relation to housing and employment, GP registration and education. This informal and inclusive event also provided new residents with an opportunity to meet and talk with other families from different cultural backgrounds, to share experiences creating a sense of mutual understanding.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “Connectivity events like this are a lifeline for newcomers to our district who plan to make it ‘home’. As a Council, we seek to promote active interaction and communication in an environment of mutual respect, supporting all ethnic minorities moving or already living within our Council area.”

Cllr Savage continued, “We strive to achieve sustainable coexistence between diverse communities with different cultural backgrounds, traditions and languages and I am delighted to see that a multi-agency approach is being taken to promote ethnic and social inclusion in our district.”