Our History
The Ardmonagh Family & Community Group is located in Turf Lodge which falls within the Upper Springfield ward of Belfast City Council. This is an area which is identified as having continually experienced high levels of multi-deprivation as a result of conflict, discrimination and inequalities. The organisation was founded in 1993 by a group of local residents of the area for the purpose of providing a Pre-school service to vulnerable children along with some elements of Family Support. Its mission statement was: “To enhance the quality of life for the residents of the Greater Turf Lodge area by the provision of relevant, accessible, affordable and well managed childcare and family support services. These services will be delivered in a manner that promotes the value base of Ardmonagh Family and Community group which is that of a supportive, loving and caring community”.
In response to the ever present manifestation of the deprivation, the Managing Committee commissioned a ‘Needs Survey’ in the Greater Turf Lodge area and based upon its findings, it which developed a strategy the future of the organisation and that of its future services. It embarked upon the establishment of a childcare service and domiciliary care service which were modelled on Social Enterprise. As a result of this, the organisation was also able to train and employ local residents as childcare and domiciliary workers and this gave the residents a bigger stake in the organisation.
The organisation clearly has a long established history of delivering services to meet the needs of the most vulnerable within our community and 2018 marks the 25thanniversary of working to meet those needs. It also has to be acknowledged that the organisation has come a long way: it is now a company limited; its services have expanded to provide for the elderly and to target the most vulnerable children and it now employs close to 100 staff. Its mission statement has been revised to: “Enhance the quality of life for the residents of Belfast through the provision of relevant, accessible, affordable and well managed supported family and childcare services.” This is to reflect the changing nature of the organisation in identifying and meeting the needs of the vulnerable children and families within our communities which have changed over the last 25 years.
Our roots are firmly in the community, not only in Turf Lodge and West Belfast but throughout Belfast. We are delivering much needed services to the most vulnerable children and families in all corners and we are making a big difference in their lives and that of the city.
Its current services are:
- Daycare Provision for 0 to 12 year olds.
- Family Contact Support.
- Family Support.
- Respite and Supported living for Children and Adults with complex medical needs.
- Elderly Support services, ie: Good Morning West Belfast.