Cavanaleck Community Association has purchased essential items for its Leaf Centre, thanks to Housing Executive funding.

A Community Grant allocation of £2,946.69 enabled the group to buy a laptop, 10 tablets, computer printer and outdoor cleaning and gardening equipment.

Local volunteers make up the Enniskillen-based association, who work together for the overall improvement of the area.

Throughout the year, the association runs different programmes and events in its popular Leaf Centre, which temporarily closed during lockdown.

New digital technology will now help local residents and tenants complete job and benefit applications and with the delivery of the Listen, Share, Change programme.

Developed by the Housing Executive in partnership with Verbal Arts Centre in, the popular programme uses storytelling to help people start a conversation, have fun and make new friendships.

Running until 2022, the four-year Peace IV-funded project aims to bring communities together with a shared love of reading.

Cavanaleck Community Association treasurer, Debbie Coyle thanked the Housing Executive for the recent funding allocation.

She said; “We are delighted to have been awarded funding for these much-needed items from the Housing Executive, who continue to support us.”

“Items for the garden will enable us to open the Leaf Centre safely as restrictions are lifted and the IT equipment will enable us to offer a service to those in our community who live in digital poverty.”

“It will help us to offer the opportunity to take part in the Listen, Share, Change programme, which we are also relaunching in the area.

“As we open we can offer the use of the equipment in the centre for job searching, welfare issues, studying and so on for those who are not able to do so at home.

“So many people can benefit and we would just like to say thank you to the entire Housing Executive team.”

Oonagh McAvinney, the Housing Executive’s South West Area Manager, said she was delighted to see recent funding could provide essential equipment for the Leaf Centre and its service users.

She added; “The Community Grant Scheme funding has enabled Cavanaleck Community Association to boost its already valuable resources in the Leaf Centre.

“This new equipment will directly benefit residents in the local area – especially through the Listen, Share, Change programme that is very worthwhile and an excellent learning tool for those who contribute online.

“With the summer months coming in too, I have no doubt that Cavanaleck Community Association volunteers will be able to get outside and use the new gardening tools, while also looking after their overall health and well-being.”

For more information, click online at nihe.gov.uk.