Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group

Public benefits

Purpose 1 Work in partnership to advance education and preserve, protect health What is the benefit that flows from this purpose? The benefit that flows from this purpose is the development of targeted educational and health services for families, increasing family opportunities for family educational attainment, reducing poverty, stress and

anxiety of families, increasing family health and wellbeing. Can you demonstrate this? The benefits are demonstrated through the feedback of service users and members of the public as reviewing the increase in family educational attainment, increased opportunities to employment, greater awareness of health needs with increased access healthier activities and facilities. Is any harm or possibility of harm outweighed by the benefit? The purpose does not lead to harm. Purpose 2 To provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. What is the benefit that flows from this purpose? The benefit that flows from this purpose is the development of Shaftesbury Community and Recreation Centre as a family friendly community hub, increase access and participation of families to recreation, sport and leisure facilities and thus improving the conditions of life for inhabitants. Can you demonstrate this? Shaftesbury Community and Recreation Centre (the Centre) is owned by Belfast City Council and managed by LORAG under a 25 year lease. The Centre is open 7 days a week (96 hours per week) to the public and currently has a daily footfall of approx. 750 people per day. The age range of those availing of the Centre 6 months to 92 years of age. The Centre services include Sure Start, Pre and After-schools, Youth Drop-n, Youth NEET’s, Community Cohesion, Health Education, Therapies Room, Counselling Room Indoor Sports facility, Dance Studio/Minor Fitness Hall, Gym, Outdoor 3g Pitch. The benefits will be demonstrated through active participation and feedback from the beneficiaries, community surveys, and increased usage of the Centre. Is any harm or possibility of harm outweighed by the benefit? The purpose does not lead to harm. The beneficiaries will be all those that seek to use the facilities and programmes as delivered and will include primarily but not exclusively residents from Inner South Belfast, South Belfast and wider Belfast areas.

What your organisation does

LORAG is a community based community development organisation that lobbies for services for the residents of the Lower Ormeau area. Since 2010 LORAG has undertook the day to day management of Shaftesbury Community and Recreation Centre and all the services that stem from the Centre.