PRIME Minister David Cameron says the work of ARC Healthy Living Centre in Irvinestown should be used as a model for community projects across the UK.

Any confusion over why he chose to visit Irvinestown of all places during his trip to Northern Ireland last Thursday was soon quashed when the people of ARC provided a guided tour of their building at the heart of community life in the village.

The message was clear -- Irvinestown may not be able to boast any big retail giants in comparison to that of Victoria Square in Belfast, but when it comes to community spirit, it has for years, punched well above its weight thanks in part to the development of ARC 10 years ago.

Even Mr. Cameron had to admit himself that the community hub for Irvinestown was in a league of its own.

Whilst touring the centre -- a group of converted estate houses in Sallyswood -- he said: "It is a brilliant example of what I am very passionate about -- bringing different communities together -- the idea that community groups and voluntary organisations can strengthen society. This is the perfect example of Big Society in action." According to Chief Executive of ARC and INTEC (Irvivestown Trustee Enterprise Company Ltd) Jenny Irvine, the idea of "community" in the village has been well rehearsed over the years.

"We have had over 100 years of this community working together," she said, "In 1908 the Irvinestown Fairs and Market Trustees were formed. They comprised of 14 trustees -- seven Catholic and seven Protestant and that balance has remained ever since.

"They were established to be actively involved in community life, to promote and support a wide variety of projects. So it's interesting that pre-partition in Ireland there was power sharing going on in Irvinestown." ARC Healthy Living comprises of 55,000 square foot of work space. 55 members of staff provide services to around 16,000 clients though 36 groups covering all manner of health, social and economic issues. These services are delivered with the help of over 100 volunteers.

Thanks to ARC, Irvinestown can now boast the only Human Milk Bank in Ireland, provide support for drug and alcohol abuse through SOLACE, classes on breast feeding, rural social inclusion for the elderly through Chit Chat and various programmes of activities for children through Cherish Sure Start, to name but a few.

One of the first people to welcome Mr. Cameron to ARC on Thursday was Mary McCordick, a director of the registered charity since its inception.

"We do a tremendous amount here," she said, "I'm also a director for FAST Rural Transport. My mind boggles to tell you everything that goes on in this place. But having the Prime Minister here means a great deal. It is a recognition of the work of everyone involved. "What I would say though, is that every single person who avails of the services in ARC is an important person to us -- each and every member of the community who wishes to come to us is important." According to Ted Maye, director of Irvinestown Community Partnership, ARC is the answer to all the needs of its community.

"There were 2,500 people here in the last census, and Irvinestown was the 26th most deprived area in Northern Ireland. We built this place out of old houses that were burnt out -- people thought it was madness, but 10 years on we are still going strong and the people of the area have taken ownership of it too. There has not been so much as a flower pulled out or a window broken here -- it has been a great success." Irvinestown girl, Christina Beatty, who has lived in Sallyswood for most of her life, added: "I have seen it change so much in the last 10 years," she says "In the summer you come in here and you can see the children from the park feel happy to come in and potter around. It's great for them to have somewhere to go when their parents are working. I want to start volunteering from for the ARC Summer Scheme myself." Describing the visit as a "dream come true" ARC Chairman, David Monaghan, said it was obvious to him why the Prime Minister came to the village. The Irvinestown man, born and bred, with a business in the village said his three year's tenureship was soon coming to an end, adding that Thursday's Prime Ministerial visit was top of the list of highlights "The people of Irvinestown have led this organisation from the very start -- we are the hub for everything here and we have achieved a lot in 10 years." Mrs. Irvine was pleased the visit had been such a success.

"The flowers baskets were out, the sun was shinning and Irvinestown was looking it's best," she said, Hoping that Mr. Camerson will take home more than just the many well wishes, MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew said the challenges of the future could not be glossed over.

"I'm glad the British Prime Minister came here. This community has shown great leadership in the past. It's not just about economic regeneration, there are so many different services. If there is a way of supporting families, ARC are there doing it. I have been back and forward to ARC many times since the official opening 10 years ago and it has been a pleasure every time I have walked into this building.

"This to me is one of the best examples in Ireland of community development and I think that's why he chose to come here.

"But it is important to remember that he is seeing us at our best. There are serious challenges to be addressed, you can't gloss over the bad stuff and he has to understand there is a responsibility to rural areas like Fermanagh. ARC is a good example of how with a small amount of funding and the right amount of commitment and dedication great things can be achieved within a community -- but great people on their own aren't enough, we need investment."