Construction work to begin on Fermanagh House extension

Work will begin shortly on the Fermanagh House extension which is one of the first to be funded through the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister’s Social Investment Fund programme. The OFMDFM funding is aimed at tackling poverty and deprivation through improved community based services and facilities.

Fermanagh House has proved to be an effective one stop shop for the community and voluntary sector, making services more accessible for local people. Currently the building hosts over 45 different user groups each month meeting the needs and demands of a wide range of interests. The extension (due to be ready June 2016) will ensure we can continue to develop the space and facilities as well as bringing even more much needed services to Fermanagh. Income generated from the facility is utilised to support the Fermanagh Trust’s work to reach even more local groups and charities with grant making and development support.

The new space will also enable the Fermanagh Trust to continue to focus on creating linkages between locally based groups and voluntary/statutory service providers. The proposed project will provide a Centre which has at its core the linking of people and communities across Fermanagh with regional and voluntary sector service providers. The Centre will provide 800 square metres of space which will provide a base for regional charities and voluntary sector service providers in Fermanagh. This will allow them to provide services on an outreach basis across Fermanagh and indeed the broader region.

The proposed project will also provide a strategic focal point for the Fermanagh Trust other areas of work including; foundation building; grant making; community and voluntary sector development work and Shared Education. A range of new services and facilities will be included in the new space including a dedicated community education resource and hot desks for new and fledgling community initiatives and enterprises.