Circulation: Area of Clip: Page 1 of 1
Longford Leader* Friday, 12 June 2015 Page: 20
7684 35900mm²
Cluid building thriving conununities
European Neighbours Dayevent in St Michael's Road Cluid Housing held a hugely projects is to enable people to successful European Neighbourscreate thriving communities. In 2013, the organisation Dayevent together with completed a major refurbishment residents from St Michael’s of St Michael’s Road. Before Road recently. this, 70%oftheproperties There was plenty of community on the road were boarded up spirit in the air and the May or derelict. 28 event was largely focused Olderresidents were living on the importance of creating in deplorable conditions in tiny, thriving communities. damp houses, with many Working in partnership forced to sleep in their living with Longford Community room because they were unable Resources Limited and Longford to climb dangerous stairs. Acorn Project Limited Illegal dumping was also a residents from Annaly Gardens, mgjor issue with litter piled up Congress Terrace, St Michael’s Road, Wards Terraceto the second floor windows outside many of the properties. & Lana Aoibhinn were all in attendance. There were Cluid is one of the largest activities for all the family, refreshments Approved Housing Bodies in and the younger Cluid Housing Officer Patricia Ireland providing homes to European Neighbours Day. residents were treated to face low income families; single painting and storytelling. people; older people; people Commenting on the successwith a disability and Traveller of the day, Cluid Housing families. Officer Patricia Treacy said: Cluid’s 37 properties in St “Community events like this Michael’s Road are now occupied encourage participation and by a mix of families and inclusion. Loneliness, isolationsingle people who were previously and depression are common on the Longford County in the fast-paced modern Council housing waiting list. world we live in. Cluid’s Director of Operations, “Cluid is acutely aware of NeilBoltonsaid: “People the importance of enabling are at the heart of everything our tenants to build thriving that Cluid does. European communities in order to Neighbours Day is a fantastic combat this. We invest a lot of opportunity for our tenants time and energy in enabling to celebrate the community our residents to turn their they five in. It’s all about getting community into a great place to knowyour neighbours. to live. Seeing the smiles on all With the hustle and bustle of these faces today shows that modern life we sometimes it’sworking.” forget that there are those in With over 5000 properties our communities who suffer right across the country, from loneliness and isolation. Cluid Housing is firmly committed Events like this one help bring to the numerous community those people right back to the development projects heart of the community.” it supports. The aim of these
Teacy and Peter Masterson (LCRL)pictured with residents of St Michael's Road on