South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) are commemorating its 20th Anniversary since the organisations formation on the day of the Omagh Bomb, August 15, 1998.

Based in the Manderwood Industrial Estate, Lisnaskea, SEFF offer a range of services to the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and ‘other Troubles related criminal violence.’ This includes community outreach initiatives designed to best facilitate a confident, thriving local community.

Over 150 people attended a Service of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, August 14 to acknowledge the work of SEFF over the two decades. In attendance were Board Chairman of the Victims and Survivors Service, elected representatives at Council and MLA level, the Permanent Secretary within the Northern Ireland Office, Archdeacon Harper and many other local clergy, academics and most importantly victims/survivors from across Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

Chairman of SEFF Eric Brown welcomed guests with a poignant speech, addressing the origin of the organisation and its continued need in the community.

“On the evening of 15th August 1998, just a small number of hours after the horror which took place in the Town of Omagh where 29 people and unborn twins were slaughtered as a result of Republican terrorism, three of us gathered at my house to form this organisation.”

He continued, “The South East Fermanagh Foundation (or SEFF as its’ most commonly known) has the strapline - Supporting Victims and Survivors, Strengthening Communities. This strapline illustrates the dual purpose of our work and is as relevant today as it was when it was first scribed all those years ago.”

Mr. Brown went on to describe the early work of SEFF, explaining that at first, they were unsure of how best to help. “We were very much searching for ideas and answers in those early days, and often they didn’t immediately come.” The group decided to write to over 600 homes of those people who they understood had been impacted by the terrorist campaign. They only received 12 replies but believing in what they were doing, they continued their outreach. With the help of Sean Coll of the Victim and Survivors Matters Programme housed within The Western Health and Social Care Trust, SEFF met with the 12 individuals who had responded, offering them a safe space to talk openly about their experiences.

“One of the ladies in attendance that night remarked that this was the first time that she had been able to share her experiences within a group of people who understood her pain, and who could empathise with her family’s experiences,” shared Mr. Brown.

From that point SEFF began to grow and with the help of financial donations, support from other organisations and volunteers, they could help more victims.

Mr. Brown concluded his speech, “Be assured that SEFF will continue to evolve, will continue to try to offer leadership and we will also continue to play our part in building genuine Peace within the community.”

Kenny Donaldson, SEFF's Director of Services since 2008 commented on the ongoing work of the organisation during the service. “SEFF has grown steadily down the years whereby it now has over 1,020 individual members and their associated families. The group has 16 staff, 23 service providers and circa 110 volunteers who offer support services spanning; Counselling, Befriending and Morning SEFF Calling services to name a few.”

Mr. Donaldson continued, “SEFF is a family of diverse individuals who all share a commonality, a principle which is not for sale; that being that the sanctity of human life MUST be protected and that it is not for any man or woman to take the life of another through an act of premediated terrorism or criminal violence. This principle transcends religion, race and all other division groupings.”

The Service of Thanksgiving was one of a range of events taking place over the anniversary week to acknowledge the 20 years of supportive work led by SEFF.