Welcome to the West Armagh Consortium's website. We hope that you will find this both interesting and informative. We would like to take this opportunity to give the reader some background to us.
The West Armagh Consortium (WAC) was constituted in November 2002 as a voluntary amalgamation of local community groups from Armagh City West. As a non-sectarian and politically unaffiliated umbrella organisation, the Consortium welcomes affiliations from all new and existing community and voluntary groups in our catchment area. The groups currently affiliated represent districts within the three electoral wards of Abbey Park, Callanbridge and Downs.
There will be defibrillator training sessions at Sherrys Field Sports Complex on Saturday 2nd March 2019. This will be the fourth annual training to be delivered to community and sporting group activists. There will be two sessions, a morning one 9.00am - 12.30pm and an afternoon 1.30pm -5.00pm for classes of eight people. Anyone interested in taking up this free training should contact Stephen on 07759949314.
Any budding Entrepreneurs might want to take note of this programme. Its aim is to teach all the necessary skills for the running of a successful business. Located at Armagh Business Centre it is a free course (criteria applies).
However, the course is not solely designed for business start up and is also suitable for anyone looking to improve their employability chances. The skills taught will enhance any CV and open up avenues in the employment market. Check the flyer for details.
The West Armagh Consortium is calling on the youths responsible for the deliberate targeting of children’s play equipment to consider the danger that they are putting young children in. It follows several incidents when bottles were smashed in and on play equipment in the children’s play park at Sherry Field Sports Complex.
Speaking for the West Armagh Consortium, Stephen Fields said, “It is clear from the number of times that this has happened and where the bottles have been smashed that it is not the actions of some fling it away vandals. The play equipment itself appears to be the target with glass being deliberated broken in and around as well as on top of equipment. In some cases, this glass appears to be strategically placed where young children would be playing in what can only be assumed is an effort to inflict as must hurt as possible on unsuspecting children. We have pictures of bottles having been broken and placed at the top and bottom of slides.
“These are deplorable acts and even go beyond the wanted destruction of community facilities. The individuals involved in this are deliberating targeting young children. This is an obvious conclusion considering where they are breaking the bottles and, in some cases where the glass is being deliberately placed.
“Thankfully no child has been injured by these acts. The result has been that the park has had to remain closed on several occasions while council staff clean up the glass.
“As community representatives, we would urge these young people to stop this very dangerous and destructive behaviour. We would urge anyone seeing this behaviour to report it to the police, their local community representatives, or both. All it takes is a sliver of glass to remain on a piece of equipment that a child is playing on for them to suffer a very serious cut. And before anyone turns a blind eye, remember that child could be yours.”
Congratulations to Mr. John Fields and Mrs Patricia Creighton who completed their First Responders Training and will be responding to NI ambulance service calls in the coming weeks. Our new First Time Responders received their training though a four-week course and confidently passed. Their going active with the CFR programme comes shortly after the actions of the Community First Responders are being credited with assisting in the saving two lives in the city. Two men were successfully resuscitated and maintained by CRF volunteers, not the local volunteers but others who responded to the emergencies. Indeed, in one of the emergencies the CFR volunteer accompanied the patient in the ambulance assisting in the speedy delivery of the patient to Craigavon Area Hospital. These incidents happen at Callanbridge and on the Moy Road.
The West Armagh Consortium and REACT came together in the promotion of this life saving project. And we would like to take this opportunity to extend our congratulations to John Fields and Patricia Creighton. We hope that they will be the first of many community volunteers to take up the challenge of the first responding. The four-week training course has been described by the two CRF volunteers as very comprehensive and rewarding. They added that the training programme will also afford them further opportunities to advance their emergency medical responding skills.
We would like to take this opportunity to once again promote this fantastic project and encourage more people to uptake and avail of the training. ‘Such a programme can sometimes be under appreciated insofar that not all emergencies become newsworthy for the very fact that assistance had been readily available and had averted what could perhaps have been a more serious incident. As a result of our initial promotion we identified several people willing to put their names forward we hope that these volunteers will be able to follow through and in turn encourage even more like-minded people.
There are a number of avenues that potential volunteers can go down to register with the Community First Responders. They can contact either WAC or REACT and we will forward their details on or go directly to the CFR website https://www.cfrat.org.
Dunlewey ARCH programme is an 8 week small group support programme for adults who have experienced substance or alcohol misuse issues or problematic gambling. ARCH activities aim to support recovery by reducing isolation and stress, and promoting self-care. Group sizes are limited to 8. Family members may also find the programme useful.
Please see below details of 3 groups starting in November 2018.
Armagh starting Monday 19th November 2018 for 8 weeks
(19, 26, Nov, 3, 10, 17 Dec 2018, 14, 21, 28 Jan 2019)
Dobbin Street Community Centre, 11A Dobbin Street, BT61 7QQ
Group meets each Monday 10am-2pm
Portadown starting Monday 19th November 2018 for 8 weeks
(19, 20, 26, 27 Nov, 3,4,10,11,17,18 Dec 2018, 14, 15, 21,22,28,29 Jan 2019)
ABC Community Network, 82 Thomas Street, Portadown, BT62 3NU
Group meets each Monday and Tuesday evening 6pm-8pm
Dungannon starting Friday 23rd November 2018 for 8 weeks
(23 Nov, 7, 14, 21 Dec 2018, 11, 18, 25 Jan, 1 Feb 2019)
Breakthru, 18 Killymeal Road, Dungannon, BT71 6LJ
Group meets each Friday 10am-2pm
Groups will start in Lurgan and Portadown on Monday 4th February 2019 and in Newry on 8th February 2019.
Two local charities were presented with an equal share of the money raised at the sponsored run/walk held on August 10th as part of the West Armagh Community Festival. The event raised £4,220.Lisanally Special Needs School and Armagh Breast Cancer Support Group each received £2,110 at the night organised by the Lord Mayors Office at which the Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr, Paul Duffy made the presentations and congratulated the festival committee on delivering such a successful event.
There was a special presentation to Jack Rolston who attends Lisanally School. Together with his family ,Jack raised well is excess of £600 and in recognition of this fantastic achievement the festival committee presented Jack with a Harry Potter rucksack and wand. Needless to say there was a plethora of spells cast for the rest of the evening by the young wizard himself.
The event was attended by community volunteers, local politicians and representatives of the two charities.The committees sponsored run organiser Mr. John Fields thanked everyone for all their efforts in the organising and participation in the run. He also thanked the local council who allowed the run to take place in the Palace Grounds. He added that it was particularly heartening to see the money raised being put to such good use.
Following an attempted online scam received by the WAC this morning we would urge people to be vigilant as in a previous instance the scammers targeted people in the locale. It is not clear whether or not the scammers operate on a geographical grid, going through area codes but previously there was a number of individuals targeted within a local area. The scam is similar to the previous one except they are purporting to come from Microsoft this time and not BT. However the result will be the same. You will informed that scammers are:
*Slowing down your computer/laptop.
*If not already on,turn on your machine.
*You cannot see what is going on in the background because they are hiding their activity.
*To see what they are doing, press the windows key and R and it opens up a box bottom left hand corner.
*Then you'll be instructed to insert a lettered code. This allows them to install a programme onto your computer and once that's activated, you have lost control of your computer. You screen will go blank at least at your end but allowing them to access your files. From there on in it will be a matter of them stalling you with false information and bogus commands with the sole aim of gaining access to your banking details.
If you received such a call do not comply with it. Simply hang up. Genuine service providers do not contact their customers in this manner. Even if you are suspicious do not try to confirm with a number or email address that the caller may give. Go to the service providers verified online site and follow their respective contact procedures and details.
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City Banbridge Craigavon Council, Cllr Paul Duffy, has invited members of the West Armagh Community Festival Committee to a reception in the Lord Mayor's Parlour on 26th September. Representatives of the local charities due to receive a share of the monies raised through the sponsored run/walk held as part of the West Armagh Community Festival in August, have also been invited.
Lisanally Special School and the Armagh Breast Cancer Awareness Group will benefit from the funds raised through the run/walk which was very well supported. Several hundred runners and walkers took part in the event that was held in the Palace grounds on August 10th
Committee members wishing to attend need to confirm their attendance.
Please click onto the link below to view photo montage. Hope you enjoy. We are indebted to Brian Corvan for compiling the short video. Some people have experienced difficulty with the first links. If that's the case click on the last link will take you to our FB page and the video.
https://www.facebook.com/westarmagh.consortium/videos/2123775827897025/
Could you help someone with dementia to keep doing the things they love?
Side by Side volunteers support people living with dementia in the local community. This involves companionship for a person in the early stages of dementia helping them to take part in social and recreational activities, providing one-to-one support to enable people with dementia to continue with their hobbies and interests or engage in new ones.
This would be for a few hours every week or fortnight in the Armagh, Banbridge or Craigavon areas.
We are currently seeking people with these interests:
- Golf - Gardening - Cycling - Baking
- Cricket - Farming - Knitting - Walking
Want to find out more?
If you would like to find out more about this or any of our volunteering opportunities please contact Rosario Mc Hugh, Volunteering Officer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /028 71 384570) or visit our website at www.alzheimers.org.uk.
"The West Armagh Community Festival has been in operation for over 20 years and in that time has been officially opened by Mayors and Lord Mayors from ALL parties within Armagh City and District Council (ACDC). The events that appear to be causing upset to members of the unionist parties have been part and parcel of the Festival since its early days, so why are unionist politicians up in arms now, considering that they participated in its official opening over the years and witnessed some of the events in question.
"Indeed, we have the current Lord Mayor officiating at our sponsored run/walk tomorrow night in the Palace Grounds. The monies raised at this will benefit two local charities, Lisanally Special School and Armagh Breast Cancer Support Group.
"The Festival was deliberately timed to coincide with what used to be a very volatile time of year, particularly within the nationalist community. The Festival organisers used the Festival to redivert energies. By and large this has been a great success insofar that here in Armagh the anniversary of Internment now passes off without any unrest and anti-social behaviour as had been the norm.
"The events in the Festival are named after people who are significant to the community in Armagh, who died either as part of the conflict or had respected standing within the community. There are over 10 events named after local people, not all who died violently.
"We are currently involved in a very busy Festival with a full schedule of multi-cultural events and cross community activities geared to everyone in the community. We hope this statement will suffice. If there are any further queries we will gladly respond to them after the Festival is completed."
Armagh Travellers Support Group (ASTG) is seeking new Directors (Trustees) to join our Management Board. This is a great opportunity to make a difference to an organisation committed the improving the quality of life of the Traveller Community living in Armagh. You will be part of a voluntary team supporting the governance of an organisation delivering a range of supports and community services to families and young people. We are looking for individuals with a background in the private, public, voluntary or community sectors with an interest in social justice issues who can contribute to the leadership and governance of the Organisation. If you feel you have skills and qualities that could help, ATSG would welcome your involvement. We currently meet on a monthly basis. For further information, or to submit letter of interest, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tel 028 3751 7531 by Friday 24th August.
The final walk in the 7 Hills Challenge Parks Experience took place with a dander around Kinnego Marina Lough Neagh. All the walks in this programme have enjoyed very fine weather and it was fitting that the programme finished off at such a picturesque location and on such a fine morning. Congratulations to all those who took part in the walks and to Mr. John Fields who served as guide, coach and general all round mentor for the walkers. We hope to revisit the project again as part of our promoting healthy lifestyles programme.
Could you be a community first responder was the question we asked when this article was first published .To date there have been several people who have expressed an interest in responding to this. Although there wasn't a time frame outlined for the purposes of moving the appeal forward both WAC and REACT have agree to resubmit this appeal via all our social media outlets. It has also been decided to set the end of the month as an interim cut off date, at least for the initial appeal and in order to get those who expressed an interested connected to the CFRAT. Obliviously the recruitment of first responders will be an ongoing process and will continue after this initial promotion.
To find out more follow the link READ MORE to the original article.
In a follow up to our 7 Hills Challenge last November/December we are organising the Armagh Parks Experience that will commence on Saturday 26th May.
In a slight change to the format ,this event will take place over five sessions taking in parks in and around Armagh. Starting off with the Demesne on Saturday 26th it will also take in Navan, Segahan, Gosford and finishing off with an historical walk that will also include refreshments
FOLLOW UP TO 7 HILLS CHALLENGE- ARMAGH PARKS EXPERIENCE
There are a limited number of place available for this so we would encourage people to book early. As with our previous challenge the walking guide will be John Fields. You can register through the usual consortium number or email. Tel; 07759949314 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The West Armagh Consortium has appointed Stephen Fields as their Community Development Programme Manager. The post formed a substantial part of the consortiums successful application to the Big Lottery. The consortium were successful acquiring nearly £200,000 for a three year programme under the Big Lottery Peoples and Communities Programme.
Stephen has now taken up the post and will be based in the consortiums offices at Sherry Fields Sports Complex. The WAC Chairperson Fiona Kelly welcomed the appointment saying " The West Armagh Consortium have for many years now strived to get a full-time resource in place at Sherry’s. I am confident that local community groups and the community in general will be able to benefit from this appointment.
The programme under which Stephen has been appointed also has programme costs and I know that he has already been in contact with local community groups to consult on a beneficial action plan, a plan that will take the needs of groups into account. I would like to wish Stephen all the best in his new role."
The programme is a three year one running until 2021 and will encompass many aspects of community activities in the west of the city. Although based in Sherry’s Sports Complex, aspects of the programme will be delivered in the various community venues throughout the city. It is envisaged to utilise the network of community houses that were set up under the NRPB programme.
Pictured above are some of the volunteers that availed of the recent defibrillator training that the West Armagh Consortium delivered on Saturday 3rd February. There was two sessions consisting of classes of 8 persons. These classes are part of the ongoing training programme in the use of AEDs that began with the provision of defibrillators for community houses located within the neighbourhood renewal area. This is the third year that community volunteers been trained up in the use of these life saving devices. This training provides an ever increasing pool of community volunteers capable of using the machines that are located in several estates in the town.
The Big Lottery announced today that The West Armagh Consortium have been successful in their application to People and Communities strand of funding. The consortium is delighted with the award that amounts to almost £197,000 investment in local community. Below is how the Big Lottery made the announcement on their own website earlier today.
The West Armagh Consortium recently purchased a small stage that is available to groups to hire out. The stage is 8ft X12Ft and 18" high complete with step. Suitable for small presentations such as a dancing display. Reversible hard wood and padded surface. Completely portable and easy to assemble and transport. Transportation of stage is available as well.
Callanbridge Park and Legar Hill Residents Association held a successful series of cookery classes hosted by members of the Polish community. An enjoyable time was had by all especially at the tasting sessions.
Pictured at the pensioners Christmas party held in the Pearse Ogs Social Club on Friday 15th December. The party was a joint venture with the Pearse Ogs and West Armagh Consortium. Transport was laid on to accommodate pensioners from all over the town and the event was attended by pensioners from many areas of the town. It was a night of varied entertainment with live music, renditions from the Bard of Armagh, Irish dancing and numerous raffles and spot prizes. Enough to say , no one went home empty handed. As local community representatives were made aware we replaced the grant annually given to groups to help with pensioner Christmas events with this party. We are hoping to build on this for next year and many thanks to the Pearse Ogs who facilitated the party and allowed us to use their annual party to include a wider area.
A proud Harry McGeough pictured with his grandchildren who gave a fantastic display of Irish dancing at the party.
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100377
