Conway Centre Energised By Funding
04 August 2009
Conway Education Centre, at the old mill, has been given a summer boost with the news that it has received substantial funding to purchase specialised recording equipment including video cameras, DVDs, professional headsets and televisions.
The funding came from the Energy for Children Charitable Trust, which was set up by the local natural gas industry four years ago specifically to help disadvantaged children within the local communities. The equipment has now been purchased and is being enjoyed by the large groups of children who attend the centre on a daily basis.
When the West Belfast community was given access to the vacant Conway Mill back in 1983, Father Des Wilson and a group of community leaders immediately decided that one floor should be devoted to education. Since then the Education Centre has evolved to offer a host of adult and youth educational, training and cultural opportunities.
The Centre strives to provide a safe and secure environment where children are treated with dignity and respect, with all those attending being actively encouraged to express their opinions but yet still expected to remain within a respectful code of behaviour.
The Energy for Children Charitable Trust, founded and administered by Phoenix Natural Gas, is continuing with its aim to raise £250,000 for local disadvantaged children by the end of 2009.
Margaret Connor from Phoenix recently paid a visit to Conway Education Centre to see how the children were getting on and she reflected:
"We are delighted that this equipment is now playing a key role in helping with the quality of social and personal interaction amongst the children. They all seemed especially excited about using the cameras to record day trips that they are planning to make throughout the rest of the year".
Anyone wishing to know more about Conway Education Centre can contact 02890 24 8543.
Pic: Children from Conway Education Centre celebrate the funding boost with Day School Tutor Brendan Holland and Margaret Connor from Phoenix Natural Gas.