Partners - Ballybeen Women’s Centre Ltd

For twenty eight years Ballybeen Women’s Centre (BWC) has been developing and delivering quality services in an area of low and weak community infrastructure. The Centre has developed a service delivery model that enables individuals and families to access a range of services and support in one location. The Centre provides support to other community groups in the area and has been a catalyst for community development and capacity building.  BWC promotes social inclusion by involving the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups in the community in the development and management of programmes to address their needs. The Centre has  worked to diffuse tensions, break down sectarian and racist prejudice and raise awareness of equality issues. BWC utilises a community development approach, based on principles such as empowerment, user involvement and participation in order to meet the needs of all users. Women of all ages are encouraged to play an active role in the Centre’s development and operation. Women in communities like Ballybeen suffer from multiple forms of disadvantage all of which can have a devastating effect on their self confidence and self esteem. Creating programmes that recognise this and are tailored to meet the needs of women at their level and pace of development is crucial to engaging women and moving them forward.  BWC offers a range of activities aimed at increasing women’s personal development, such programmes have been effective mechanisms in engaging hard to reach women and facilitating their progression and promoting active citizenship.

Education and training is key to empowering people to challenge inequalities and play their role in shaping a new, more just and diverse society.  By developing skills, confidence and knowledge participants are able to input into the regeneration and development of their own community and in so doing impart their vision of a new society at a local level. In order to increase women’s participation in decision making the main focus has been on women themselves and on offering training in personal development, political awareness raising and leadership.

BWC plays an active role in the Women’s Sector in Northern Ireland and has vast experience of lobbying to challenge inequality and promote positive policy change.

BWC recently participated in 2 Europe for Citzens Projects -

"Dialogue with the EU - which aimed to inform participants of EU institutions, policy and legislation  and how they can engage and influence at an EU level.

"Contribute to Change - young women in politics" - which aimed to  increase participation of young women (16-35 yrs)  in political life by changing attitudes, raising  knowledge, confidence levels and self-esteem.

Back to partners' list