Choice Housing celebrates Good Relations success in County Antrim

Choice Housing – one of Northern Ireland’s largest housing associations – has marked the conclusion of a five-year Good Relations-based initiative that has supported tenants in their shared living scheme in Lisburn with a special Country Fest event in the city’s Market Square.

The free community celebration brought together people from across the Lisburn area for a day of music, entertainment and community spirit, with live performances from Hugo Duncan, Country Harmony, Boxcar Brian, Owen Mac and The Singing Brickie, Conor McKay.

Choice Housing

Organised by Choice, ‘Country Fest’ heralded the fifth year of the Good Relations Programme and was supported by the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.

The Programme has its origins in the Northern Ireland Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.  £1.6m has been invested in the Hull’s Hill shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.

Over the past five years, the Hull’s Hill Good Relations Plan has supported a wide range of programmes and initiatives designed to encourage positive relationships, cultural awareness, community engagement and shared opportunities among residents and neighbouring communities across the Lisburn area. The plan focuses on promoting respect, diversity and inclusion through health and wellbeing initiatives, arts and culture programmes, education opportunities and community development activities.

Mark Kent, Good Relations Officer at Choice, said: “The Country Fest event was a wonderful celebration of the positive relationships and community connections that have been developed through the Good Relations Programme in Lisburn over the past five years. It was fantastic to see people from across the community coming together to enjoy the music and entertainment in such a welcoming atmosphere.

“The Hull’s Hill Good Relations Plan has created meaningful opportunities for residents and neighbouring communities to build understanding, strengthen connections and develop a real sense of shared identity. Events like this highlight the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued,” continued Mark.

Choice continues to play a key role in delivering shared housing and community development initiatives across Northern Ireland, providing more than 14,000 homes throughout the region. Through its shared housing schemes and Good Relations programmes, Choice remains committed to building diverse, inclusive and sustainable communities for everyone.