CARE ZONE REPORT

October 2019 Care Zone Report 1

The Care Zone working group would like to express their gratitude to all residents, community groups and other partners that have dedicated their time and energy in supporting the Care Zone project since its inception.

RESOURCING The Care Zone project has been financially supported by the Public Health Agency, the Urban Villages programme and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. In addition, the Sacred Heart Parish kindly provided a venue for regular meetings and occasional events. Belfast City Council staff facilitated community events in the Marrowbone Park; Ulster University staff supported the project by providing guidance and assistance towards the training of local Community Champions and Belfast Healthy Cities provided support throughout the project and supported the production of the Care Zone reports.

PROJECT LEAD Jo Murphy Lighthouse

Care Zone working group Roisin O’Neill Barnardo’s Chris Karelse Belfast Healthy Cities Joan Devlin Belfast Healthy Cities Jim Morgan Belfast Health Development Unit Maura McCallan Cancer Lifeline Gerard Rosato Clanmil Housing Association Cecilia Rice Lighthouse Gary Symington Lighthouse Jo Murphy Lighthouse Fionnuala Dunleavy New Lodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership Rebekah McCabe / Conor McCafferty Planning Landscape Architecture Community Environment (PLACE) Cecilia McCloskey Sacred Heart Parish Claire Mulrone Ulster University Sean Devlin Youth Education Health Advice (YEHA) 2 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 3

CARE ZONE STEERING GROUP COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS FOREWORD The steering group is made up of Linda Lagan, Margaret McAllister, Mickey representatives from the following Meehan, Ann Marie O’Neill, Rachel Pierce, organisations: Tami Russell, Deirdre Taggart “We are delighted to support the launch of for individuals and communities to take Belfast Healthy Cities EDITORIAL GROUP this report which we know has been the control of their own lives and move towards Belfast Health Development Unit Author: Chris Karelse result of a tremendous amount of effort a vision where all people are enabled and Belfast Health & Social Care Trust Editorial support: Joan Devlin, Sean Devlin, from the community in the Oldpark and supported in achieving their full health Lighthouse Jo Murphy, Cecilia McCloskey Cliftonville area. and wellbeing potential and to reduce Public Health Agency inequalities in health. Sacred Heart Parish Having both attended the “BUILDING The Executive Office (Urban Villages HOPE: Working together to prevent suicide” Both the Department of Health and programme) Future Search event in Belfast back in the Public Health Agency remain fully Ulster University 2016 (and follow up 2017) we applaud the committed to supporting Co-production Youth Education Health Advice progress made by the North Belfast Care approaches as set out in Delivering Zone under the agreed common ground to Together to address health and wellbeing, have a Community Development Approach and hope that this report will inspire others to suicide prevention. The community- to create their own “Care Zone”. led methodology is very much in keeping with the Making Life Better Framework, We both wish the North Belfast Care Zone which seeks to create the conditions every success going forward.”

“There was a fabulous Fun Day held in the Marrowbone park on the , Oldpark Road, with several stalls handing out important information about Michael McBride, Valerie Watts Northern Ireland Chief Medical Officer Interim Chief Executive Officer, various resources and groups available to those who require them. There Public Health Agency were also complimentary therapies on offer. Many families had a great day out and enjoyed the refreshments on offer. It was lovely to see so many young families out meeting and greeting one another. The community could do with something like this every year”.

(local resident) 4 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 5

PREFACE

The Care Zone project was established as and ignored. Statutory, community and a result of a Future Search workshop that voluntary organisations have found the was led by the then Health Minister Mrs complex challenges difficult to address Michelle O’Neill, ‘Building Hope: Working within these communities. The physical Together to Prevent Suicide’, where twelve environment is characterised by high- common ground themes were agreed density housing estates, a lack of green at the workshop as the best actions to space and high rates of vandalism and be taken forward to improve mental anti-social behaviour. In addition, the area health and well-being and reduce suicide. has been deeply affected by the sectarian Common Ground theme 10, Community conflict and incorporates interface areas Development – Ensuring that a community- as a result. The demographic nature development-approach is the preferred of the area has also vastly changed as method for working with communities, ‘The Troubles’ instigated a significant was the challenge to be delivered by the population movement, while large parts Care Zone. The approach is based on a of the area were physically transformed as community development model that seeks a result of major housing redevelopment to support local residents to improve their programmes. health and social well-being, with the longer term aim of reducing suicide. The The poorer quality of life is also reflected lessons learned from the application of in general health statistics. A higher the Care Zone model are intended to be proportion of people in the area report transferable to other areas in Belfast. poor or very poor health, compared to the Belfast North Assembly Area or Belfast as The total population of the area covered a whole. Male life expectancy in the Care by the Care Zone is just above 18,000 Zone project area is 74.8 years, which is persons. The proportion of children aged 3.6 years lower than the Northern Ireland under 16 is comparatively high in the area, average2. The standardised preventable while the proportion of people aged 65 death rate amongst the Care Zone and over is lower than in Belfast as a whole. population is more than 70% above “A useful project was the production of a booklet featuring The area is characterised by significant the Northern Ireland average3. All major interviews with several people in the area about the old days, levels of deprivation, particularly in relation illnesses are more prevalent amongst the when they were young. This is a useful record of the lives and times to income, employment and health. Care Zone population compared with Like many other communities that are Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole, of some of our more senior citizens with their memories of school impacted by deprivation, this community including cancer, respiratory and days and life as it was when they were young. Reminiscence is a very in north Belfast is characterised by high circulatory diseases. These valuable tool for use with not only senior citizens, but also for the rates of suicide and poor mental health adverse health historical facts younger people can learn from. There have been so across the population. In 2016, 43 out of outcomes 297 Northern Ireland deaths by suicide many changes in lifestyle, employment and schools in the district. occurred in north Belfast, representing a Our past sheds light on where we have come from and shows how suicide rate that is twice as high compared we have made progress… or have we?” to any other Parliamentary Constituency 1. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/ 1 in Northern Ireland . The community statistics/cause-death/suicide-deaths (local resident) residing within the Care Zone project area 2. Department of Health, Life expectancy at birth has been deeply affected by suicide, and by sex and area, 2013-17 (see figure 7 in Care a sense of hopelessness has descended Zone Health Profile) over a community that feels neglected 3. Department of Health, Standardised Preventable Death Rate by selected areas, 2013- 17 (see figure 9 in Care Zone Health Profile) 6 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 7

indicate that urgent action is needed in and to Cecilia McCloskey, Sacred Heart EXECUTIVE SUMMARY order to improve the health and well-being Parish for their expert knowledge and skills of people living in the Care Zone area. in adopting a community development approach in delivering this project and for The Care Zone project formed part of the number of high profile community events. The personal stories behind these statistics, their tireless efforts working to improve the agreed actions taken forward from the The project specifically targeted those uncovered by a series of ‘Community local community through compassion and Future Search workshop ‘Building Hope: families who experienced tragic loss of life Conversations’, reveal a picture of a care. Working Together to Prevent Suicide’ through suicide. In addition, local stories fragmented community that experiences that took place in September 2016. The and histories were celebrated to increase significant deficits in their quality of This report aims to support health project was established as a community the “sense of belonging amongst residents”. life. At the same time, these stories also professionals, planners and other development pilot to tackle poor mental An important part of the project was show that a range of organisations and policymakers who are working with health and reduce suicide in the Sacred the development of an evidence base residents working together to address local communities to develop more Heart Parish area in north Belfast. The that highlights the severity of the these deficiencies can bring positive targeted community based interventions Sacred Heart Parish was selected as the health challenges of local residents. A interventions and a sense of hope to local for improved health outcomes. It will pilot area for the Care Zone project due to comprehensive statistical profile was residents. This report has been created to also be of interest to other professionals the prevalence of mental health issues and produced alongside the collection of showcase the community development working in the fields of regeneration and high suicide rate in the area. The project is qualitative data from residents through approach utilised by the Care Zone project community development. Strengthening led by the Lighthouse Charity and brings surveys, focus groups and other forms of and to disseminate the findings that stem leadership and inspiration across agencies together a number of key stakeholders that community conversations. Taken together, from it. Special thanks goes to Jo Murphy, to take forward the actions outlined in this operate in the area, including statutory, these datasets offer a compelling picture Lighthouse for leading this project, to Sean report will be essential to reducing health voluntary and community organisations of both the positive and negative factors Devlin, Youth Education Health Advice inequalities and improving mental health and local residents. The whole area impacting local residents’ health and well- and well-being in the Care Zone area. The approach adopted throughout the being. The data increases understanding of Care Zone project serves as a model of duration of the project prevented a bias the daily personal challenges experienced good practice to establish a renewed sense towards one community or another and by residents that have a direct effect on of hope and social connectedness amongst favoured cohesive ways of working between levels of mental health in the area. local residents in an area affected by severe various statutory, voluntary and community health inequalities. partners. The lack of accessible community facilities or activities would appear to contribute The Care Zone project has a community to the gradual process of deterioration of development approach at the heart of social networks in the area. Family support its operational and strategic actions. is very important for those with a range Care Zone partners have worked with of health issues and even more so for communities (not to or for them) to those coping with mental health issues. empower them to identify local public Despite the efforts of health and other “The Care Zone is a wonderful initiative health challenges and to increase professionals, it remains a challenge to that takes an ecological approach to mental health, understanding of the underlying causes. support people that are deeply affected well-being and resilience by promoting protective factors The aim of actively involving local residents by such issues. Many elderly people feel within individuals, families, communities and the physical and local community groups was to socially isolated and unable to fend for improve skills and build capacity to support themselves, whilst young people seem environment. It is a great example of collective impact, bringing them to take action to increase hope and to struggle with boredom and limited together voluntary, statutory and community groups as well as care in the area. A group of local residents opportunities to escape poverty. The lack of local businesses and residents to work towards the shared goal were trained as ‘community champions’ support networks appears to contribute to of improving the lives of people in the Care Zone area. I was to carry out in-depth conversations with low levels of self-efficacy and to a negative privileged to be involved with the Care Zone during 2018 and residents about the issues that impact their cycle of school dropout, unemployment, mental health and well-being. This was low self-esteem and poor mental health. feel that a lot can be learned from this model of working by seen as an integral part of the community The limited financial security offered by communities across Northern Ireland”. development approach. A key element low-skilled jobs and the additional financial of the project was to bring hope to local strains introduced by the Universal Credit (Roisin O’Neill, Barnardo’s NI) residents, by bringing them together for a system has increased the burden on 8 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 9

people already suffering from poverty. of short-term strategies have often limited CONTENTS Limited opportunities for acquiring the effectiveness of any investment additional skills appear to leave people made in the area. This would appear to feeling they are unable to change their have reduced the level of confidence in CONTEXT current situation. Anti-social behaviour and statutory agencies among community Building Hope: Working Together to Prevent Suicide ...... 14 crimes, such as burglary, occur regularly, members. In addition, opaqueness about Setting the scene...... 15 causing many residents to fear for their the mechanisms that determine how personal safety. There is a perception held investment is being assigned to groups in Policy background ...... 16 by many in the community that the Police the area has negatively affected local levels Political representation ...... 18 Service is unable to respond effectively to of social trust. The importance of environmental factors ...... 18 crime in the area. The multidimensional public health Service delivery in the public realm ...... 19 In relation to service delivery, residents challenges described above cannot be The impact of poverty / Universal Credit ...... 19 tend to ‘put up with things’ since they addressed easily by health and social The impact of ‘The Troubles’ ...... 20 feel they have been let down too often by care organisations alone. Improved raised expectations that have not been communication and joined-up working fulfilled. The fractured responsibilities of between statutory, voluntary and public service provision and the increase community organisations is critical for making local facilities and services CARE ZONE MODEL designed in such a way that they make a Working objectives ...... 22 real difference to residents’ lives. Community development approach ...... 23 Community events ...... 23

HEALTH PROFILE Data sources ...... 30 Key findings ...... 32

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS Methods of engagement ...... 38 Key findings ...... 40

MOVING FORWARD: ACTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION Taking a Community Development Approach ...... 50 Resourcing the Care Zone ...... 51 Actions for Consideration ...... 51 Looking to the Future ...... 60 10 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 11

Bird’s eye view of the Care Zone project area with main facilities superimposed. The Care Zone project area is bordered by Ballysillan Road to the west, Alliance Road / Etna Drive / Flax Street / Crumlin Road in the south, Cliftonpark Avenue / Cliftonville Avenue in the East and Water Works park / Sunningdale in the North.

Source: Ordnance Survey / PLACE 12 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 13

CHRISTMAS POSITIVE MESSAGE BOARDS TO PROMOTE HOPE, KINDNESS AND CARE The biggest and greatest gift we ERECTED ON LAMPPOSTS IN THE COMMUNITY. can give is caring for each other in the community. Spread the sparkle of kindness in this community. The greatest gift we have is each other.

Each and Every Person in this Community is a Gift. Spread the Gift of Hope. 14 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 15

CONTEXT 6. Emotionally Resilient Communities SETTING THE SCENE – Creating an environment that promotes open and positive discussion Many people who have been working BUILDING HOPE: WORKING TOGETHER 6. Greater failure of services to be on mental health and well-being to to make the Sacred Heart Parish area TO PREVENT SUICIDE proactive instead of reactive; reduce stigma and build hope. a better place to live, such as health 7. Higher prevalence of suicide amongst 7. Link to Drugs & Alcohol – Ensuring professionals, carers, school staff, clergy and During September 2016 about eighty (former) prisoners; that policy and practice agendas are volunteers, have struggled to respond to stakeholders involved in suicide prevention 8. Poverty more likely to be a factor in interlinked and can join up to jointly the cumulative effects of long term poverty in Belfast came together for a Future suicide; and address these issues in a way that adds and the traumatic events of ‘The Troubles.’ Search workshop that was led by the 9. Increase in loneliness. value. Statistical information, used to measure then Health Minister Mrs Michelle O’Neill. 8. Community Development – Ensuring the impact of these detrimental effects on The workshop, ‘Building Hope: Working Participants of the workshop also identified that a community-development- the quality of life of people living within the Together to Prevent Suicide’, followed eleven ‘Common Ground Statements’, later approach is the preferred method for Sacred Heart Parish area, often does not a whole system meeting method that known as ‘Agreements’, that represent the working with communities. represent the full extent of the challenges. enables large groups to discover common best opportunity for preventing deaths by 9. Tackling Health Inequalities – Statutory agencies have worked to address ground and transform their capacity for suicide in Belfast. A lead organisation or Committing to make better use of this situation through various government action. The purpose of the workshop was person was identified to take forward each existing resources to reduce health initiatives, but have not been able to to bring together the whole system to of these themes. inequalities through addressing social alleviate the significant challenges faced by help tackle the issue of suicide in the city determinants within communities. local residents. and local communities. During this three- 1. Culture of Care – Ensuring we take care 10. Funding and Procurement – Changing day workshop, participants discovered of staff, families, friends and carers to the focus of funding to become Due to the many sectarian interfaces common ground and agreed future action support them in the crucial but very long-term and outcome-focussed that evolved over the decades before plans. Stakeholders came from a range of difficult work they do to keep people using the principles of a social and since the outbreak of ‘The Troubles’, professional backgrounds that each play safe. value act (economic, social, health, a “patchwork” of local communities that a role in addressing the complex causes 2. Early Intervention for Children and environmental benefits). Exploring lack a common identity has developed and factors linked to suicide. Amongst Families – Ensuring that all families the full range of investment that in the Sacred Heart Parish area. The the stakeholders were advocates for are supported to develop children contributes to suicide prevention fragmented nature of communities those with personal experience, crisis and with strong psychological and physical across other funding streams. has made it challenging for statutory, bereavement support providers; funders well-being, positive relationships and 11. Technology - Maximising the voluntary and community organisations to and commissioners; policy-makers; political fulfilled potential. effectiveness of the available identify collectively agreed priorities. As a representatives; representatives from 3. Data Sharing and Collection – technology to improve safety and result, statutory agencies have not as yet the health and social care organisations Improving data, evidence and information sharing and to enhance developed a holistic area action plan with community response officers, rights and knowledge sharing to support better accessibility and flexibility of support; agreed outcomes to address the many advocacy organisations and organisations results. health challenges faced by communities working in education, training and 4. Wrap-around services – Creating a An area of high priority within north Belfast in the area. Local residents perceive that employment. way of ensuring that anyone in need was earmarked for piloting Agreement 8. investment has mostly bypassed the area receives the appropriate support, no Professionals, community workers and and has been allocated to neighbouring The top trends that impact on the work on matter the need. This will require a residents based in north Belfast with in- areas such as New Lodge, Tigers Bay, suicide prevention in Belfast were identified better comprehensive assessment depth knowledge of mental health issues Ardoyne, Ballysillan and Shankill instead. as: system to help individuals access the and suicide prevention had already laid Organisations and volunteers who have right services at the right time through the foundations on which this pilot could sought to continue to support the residents 1. Increase in drug-related deaths; person-centred approach plans. be based. They recommended to pilot the of the area, have identified an increasingly 2. Decrease in government structures 5. Political Leadership and Legislation community development approach in the palpable sense of hopelessness in the joining up; – Ensuring that politicians and policy Oldpark/Cliftonville area in north Belfast, community. They also recognise the 3. More frequent self-harm amongst makers are able to make meaningful due to the prevalence of mental health underlying tension that has resulted from young people; decisions that support a reduction issues and a high suicide rate. This local a mounting sense of frustration about the 4. Increase in health inequalities and the in suicide. This may include policy pilot was subsequently renamed the ‘Care perceived lack of facilities and services link to suicide; proofing and joining up mechanisms. Zone’ and covers the geographical area of available to this local community. 5. Increase in suicide amongst males; the Sacred Heart Parish (see page 10). Sadly, an increasing number of tragic 16 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 17

suicides occurred in the area. Local clergy, POLICY BACKGROUND provides direction for implementation at The Together: Building a United parish volunteers, counsellors and youth regional and local level. Making Life Better Community (T:BUC)11 government strategy workers struggled to support bereaved A number of regional and local planning recognises the importance of a good aims to improve community relations families and address the devastating strategies shape service delivery and quality living environment to improving and facilitate the development of a more impact this had on the local community. investment in the Sacred Heart Parish area. general health outcomes. A review of united and shared society. The strategy For this core group of community workers, The most important strategies are included Making Life Better is currently under way. outlines how government, community it was obvious that something more than below. and individuals will work together to individual effort was required to provide a Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering build a united community and achieve sense of hope to local people, particularly The Draft Programme for Government4 Together8 is a ten-year approach to change focusing on the following priorities: to those families who were bereaved. This is the highest-level strategic document transforming Health and Social Care children and young people; shared group believed that a significant positive of the Northern Ireland government. It Services (HSC) in Northern Ireland. This community; safe community; and cultural gesture had to be made to inspire local sets out government priorities and the strategy aims to move away from HSC expression. As part of the T:BUC strategy, people to come together and to redress most significant actions to achieve these. services that are planned and managed the Urban Villages12 initiative is designed the sense of hopelessness that had grown When adopted, the Draft Programme for around structures and buildings towards to improve good relations outcomes within the local community. Government will provide the strategic a health service that puts people at the and develop thriving places where there Following initial conversations with context for other key government forefront by facilitating care and support has been a history of deprivation and bereaved families about the provision strategies, including the Investment in the community setting. In addition community tension. The Urban Villages of better support, a decision was made Strategy, the Economic Strategy and an to a long term roadmap, Delivering initiative supports shared outcomes to organise a major event to facilitate Anti-Poverty/Social Strategy. Although Together sets out a number of short term across a range of stakeholders and aims the “coming together” of the local the Draft Programme for Government has priorities that seek to make a positive and to provide meaningful examples of how community and empower those who were not been adopted, due to the collapse of ambitious start towards the stabilisation, local communities can inform investment most affected, by involving them in the the Stormont Assembly, its priorities are reconfiguration and transformation of the decisions and help shape specific actions. organisation of this event. The tremendous currently being pursued by all government regional health and social care system. The Ardoyne & Greater Ballysillan Urban effort made by local residents to make departments through twelve strategic Villages programme covers parts of this event a success is testament to the outcomes adopted by the Head of Civil The Belfast Agenda9 sets out the vision the Care Zone area. wish amongst residents to do something Service in the Outcomes Delivery Plan5. and long-term ambitions for the city’s positive in the community. The resulting These cross-departmental outcomes touch future, as well as outlining the priorities ‘Concert of Hope’ was held in September on every aspect of government, including for action over the next four years. While 2016 in the Sacred Heart Parish church the attainment of good health and Belfast City Council lead the development and included performances from Brian education, economic success and confident and delivery of The Belfast Agenda, it was Kennedy and the Gardiner Street Gospel and peaceful communities. The outcomes formulated by a partnership between key Choir from Dublin. The occasion was also are supported by a comprehensive set of city partners, residents and community used to make people aware of support indicators that will be used to measure organisations as part of the Community 4. https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/ services available in the local area. The progress over time. Planning process. The community plan consultations/programme-government- consultation church was filled to capacity with local aims to ensure that public services work 5. https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/ residents, from every part of the Sacred Making Life Better - a whole system together with communities to deliver publications/outcomes-delivery-plan-201819 Heart Parish area, who remained enthused strategic framework for public health6 is better services for local people. The Belfast 6. https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/making-life- throughout the duration of the concert. the strategic framework for public health Agenda is aligned to the Draft Programme better-strategic-framework-public-health The Concert of Hope inspired the core and is designed to provide direction for for Government outcomes. The spatial 7. http://publichealthwell.ie/sites/default/files/ group to plan further action. It affirmed policies and actions to improve the health aspects of the Belfast Agenda will be documents/invest1%281%29.pdf 8. https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/health- their belief that the way to provide effective and well-being of people in Northern delivered through the Local Development and-wellbeing-2026-delivering-together 10 support to this community was for service Ireland and to reduce health inequalities. Plan – draft Plan Strategy . This strategy 9. https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council/ providers to work together with the This ten-year public health strategic provides a 15-year plan framework to Communityplanning/BelfastAgenda.aspx community. The concert provided a positive framework builds on the Investing for support economic and social needs in the 10. https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/buildingcontrol- kick-start to reinvigorating local people to Health Strategy (2002-2012)7 and retains city by coordinating public and private environment/Planning/ldp-plan-strategy. become involved in bringing about positive a focus on the broad range of social, investment and allocating sufficient land aspx#ldp 11. https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/ change in their local community. economic and environmental factors that to meet these needs. publications/together-building-united- influence health and well-being. It brings community-strategy-tbuc-annual-update-201819 together actions at government level and 12. https://sibni.org/project/urban-villages- regeneration-initiative/ 18 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 19

POLITICAL REPRESENTATION people’s ability to pursue healthy lifestyles SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE PUBLIC REALM was introduced in the north Belfast area in a variety of ways. Safe and pleasant on 14 November 2018. The Government The Sacred Heart Parish area is represented environments encourage people to walk, Historically, the responsibility for the is keen to ensure people are supported to by elected political representatives on cycle, or spend more time outdoors to maintenance of public realm and stay in work and to help them to increase several political levels ranging from the pursue other healthy activity and can services has been shared among different their earnings and thereby reduce poverty. Belfast City Council (Councillors) to the have a positive impact on physical and statutory agencies. Belfast City Council While the underlying aims of Universal Northern Ireland Local Assembly (MLAs) and psychological well-being. Community is responsible for the maintenance of Credit are to simplify benefits and to the UK Government in Westminster (MPs). assets such as parks, places of worship, leisure centres, community centres, parks, support people moving into work, a parallel community services, childcare centres, public playgrounds and recreational austerity drive has seen social benefits MPs and MLAs are elected on the basis of and local groups provide opportunities grounds. Some community centres and being reduced consistently over the last Assembly Areas. The North Belfast Assembly for fostering social interaction, building recreational facilities are delivered by number of years. Community and voluntary Area stretches from the Shankill area in community spirit and combating isolation. voluntary, community or private sector organisations have reported that this has led the South to parts of Newtownabbey in High quality local amenities improve organisations. The Department for to significant financial hardship amongst the North. They have the power to make people’s experience as service users. Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining benefit claimants. Most notably, Universal and amend laws that direct the workings Neighbourhoods that help to foster strong public roads, pavements and associated Credit is already having negative impacts on of government departments. The Northern social ties between residents promote facilities, including street lighting, traffic the most vulnerable people with reports of Ireland Assembly has the power to make resilience and mental health. On the other lights, bollards and ramps. Regular street increased hardship in the form of debt and laws in a wide range of areas, including hand, neighbourhoods that are poorly cleaning and collection of household rent arrears as a result of delayed payments housing, employment, education, health, maintained or that lack sufficient amenities waste is carried out by Belfast City Council and difficulties accessing the ‘digital-by- agriculture and environment. MPs hold the can produce feelings of low self-esteem and Bryson Recycling, whilst the Northern default’ system. The discontinuation of child power to legislate on matters of United amongst residents that can ultimately have Ireland Housing Executive also work to benefit for any third and additional children Kingdom importance such as defence, a negative effect on their levels of mental maintain healthy places as well as the has also been reported for ‘pushing families immigration, international relations and health. provision of homes. Translink, a publicly into poverty’ as families no longer receive taxation. owned transport corporation, is responsible benefits to cover the cost of feeding and Making Life Better, the strategic for the delivery of public transport services. clothing more than two children. Councillors are elected on the basis of framework for public health, recognises District Electoral Areas (DEAs). The Sacred the importance of a good quality living The Department of Education (DE) A package of mitigations that seeks to Heart Parish area is part of the Oldpark environment in improving general delegates responsibility for education protect the people of Northern Ireland DEA, which covers the wards of New Lodge, health outcomes. This link between delivery across two non-departmental against some of the harshest elements of Water Works, Cliftonville, Ardoyne, Ballysillan the physical environment and public public bodies that it directly funds. The welfare reform was agreed by the Northern and Ligoniel. Councillors have ultimate health is also recognised by the Planning Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Ireland Executive. These mitigation measures responsibility of the everyday running of Service, as witnessed by the focus on the Assessment (CCEA) advises the department are due to expire in March 2020, and it is not services within the Belfast City Council, improvement of health and well-being on what should be taught in Northern known at the time of publication, if this will ranging from services such as bin collection as one of the five core principles of the Ireland’s schools through its development, be continued. In addition, housing benefit to urban planning. planning system. This is recognised in monitoring and reviewing of the statutory recipients who are receiving a welfare the Strategic Planning Policy Statement curriculum. The Education Authority (EA) is supplementary payment for social size The Care Zone Health Profile13 report (SPPS)14 as well as by the Belfast City responsible to DE for ensuring the sufficient criteria rules (bedroom tax) will see this sets out the north Belfast political Council through the inclusion of health and efficient provision of education services mitigation payment end and they representatives in the Westminster & well-being as one of the cross-cutting across Northern Ireland, for example, school will need to make up the parliament (MPs), the Northern Ireland Local themes in its upcoming Local Development transport, building and meals services. difference in order to Assembly (MLAs) and Belfast City Council. Plan. The contribution that good quality sustain their design of the built environment can make to a healthy lifestyle is further recognised THE IMPACT OF POVERTY / THE IMPORTANCE OF through the Department for Infrastructure’s UNIVERSAL CREDIT

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Living Places – An Urban Stewardship and 13. Available on Lighthouse, YEHA and 15 Design Guide for Northern Ireland that Universal Credit is a new social benefit Belfast Healthy Cities websites The place where a person lives affects that serves as a key guidance document for introduced by the United Kingdom 14. https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/ person’s health and well-being. The built planners and developers alike. government in an attempt to streamline strategic-planning-policy-statement environment can support or undermine the social welfare system. Universal Credit 15. https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/ living-places-urban-stewardship-and-design- guide-northern-ireland 20 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 21

tenancy. This will have a detrimental As a result of ‘The Troubles’, the social TABLE 1 effect on many households increasing the landscape in the inner north Belfast 16 levels of poverty especially child poverty. area changed significantly. Protestant CONFLICT RELATED DEATHS IN NORTHERN IRELAND JULY 1969 - DECEMBER 2001 Families receiving a Welfare Supplementary neighbourhoods experienced a large Payment to protect them against the outflow of people, so much so that Area Deaths Area Deaths Benefit Cap will see this end on the 31 large portions of terraced streets were Belfast City East 128 Antrim County 198 March 2020, impacting greatly on child demolished. Subsequent construction of poverty and sustaining tenancies. peace walls and the buffer zones, such Belfast City North 563 Armagh County 468 as enterprise parks, took place. Despite Belfast City South 213 Down County 235 subsequent urban redevelopment taking THE IMPACT OF ‘THE TROUBLES’ place in inner north Belfast, communities Belfast City West 617 Fermanagh County 111 on both sides of these peace walls and North Belfast experienced intense violence buffer zones now live physically back-to- Derry City 227 Londonderry County 121 throughout ‘The Troubles’, with both back to each other with little meaningful Tyrone County 337 Republican and Loyalist shootings and interaction. There are also less visible cases bombings taking place. The infamous of spatial division in the area, for example ‘murder mile’, where a high number between the lower and upper side of the 16. Malcolm Sutton’s ‘An index of deaths from the conflict in Ireland’, of assassinations occurred, straddled Water Works park. This particular piece of available from: http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/index.html Cliftonville, Newington, and New Lodge. history of north Belfast has left residents Table 1 highlights the conflict related often traumatised and less resilient when deaths in the city from 1969 – 2002. While facing the challenges of everyday life. sectarian violence has significantly reduced since the signing of the Peace Agreement in 1998, outbreaks of sectarian tension have persisted.

“As a member of the North Belfast Care Zone, it is extremely encouraging to be part of a working partnership that has family life at the core. The sense of good will and passion for creating a better quality of life for local families is immense. This is a great example of the power and the results that are possible from effective collaboration in the heart of the community.”

(Gary Symington, The Lighthouse charity) 22 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 23

CARE ZONE MODEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT APPROACH identified as an early priority as a means of fostering community ‘buy-in’ and support. The core principles of community As previously outlined, a key priority for its existence. Improving health and well- development are at the heart of the Care Community events have been particularly the Care Zone project was to involve local being is a priority for almost every resident Zone’s work operationally and strategically. useful for: residents in a community development with whom the Care Zone working group The people who live within the Sacred approach to address local health engaged during the project, particularly Heart Parish area are the greatest asset • promoting the purpose and aims of challenges. As part of this commitment, on the issues of mental health, suicide to the Care Zone project. The continued the Care Zone; north Belfast residents were involved in prevention, addiction, online safety, sexual development of the local people as assets • consulting those in the community the process of defining the geographical health, and support for carers and the of this community is central to the project’s who are frequently forgotten and extent of the pilot area. This exercise also elderly. Residents emphasised the need continuing aim to create a resilient and whose voices are too often excluded helped to inform the process of identifying for celebratory activities, such as festivals, flourishing community. When a community from important decision-making service providers that were to be included parties and fleadhs, as a way of restoring is shown care and compassion, the chances processes that affect the community in in the Care Zone steering group. During local pride and building community of affecting long lasting change will be which they live; and the process of defining the geographical cohesion. greatly increased. Providing individuals • providing the local community with extent of the Care Zone, local residents with a renewed sense of hope will support information and support services expressed most affiliation with the Sacred them to feel valued and to contribute available. Heart Parish as a geographical unit. It was WORKING OBJECTIVES to the building of a vibrant and resilient subsequently agreed to use the Sacred community, that improves the life chances The organisation of community events Heart Parish area as the geographical To fulfil the Care Zone’s long-term aim of of future generations. demands energy and enthusiasm and a extent of the Care Zone project. reducing suicide by improving residents’ conviction that ‘only the best will do’. One A Community Development Common levels of health and well-being, the Care The Care Zone model requires intensive of the first concrete interventions was Ground Statement group (henceforth Zone partners established the following community development work from the arrival of an Action Cancer Bus at the referred to as the Care Zone steering objectives: various partners on the ground. former St Gemma’s school site where local group) was set up to bring together key Nevertheless, the benefits that can residents could conveniently access cancer- stakeholders, including local residents, • to explore the history of the area, be achieved with a relatively small screening services. The ‘Seeing is Believing’ statutory, voluntary and community including the social and economic and dedicated team are impressive. events demonstrated to the community organisations. The collaboration between changes that have occurred, with The nomination of a lead partner that that they are important and helped to these stakeholders and the involvement members of the community to has the capacity to reach out to the restore a sense of community pride and of local residents has been paramount increase understanding of the factors community, engage local partners and foster a positive community identity. Other in the development of the Care Zone that could help to restore and build a statutory agencies alike, is important events include ‘The Concert of Hope’ and model and in the pursuit of a community sense of community pride and identity; for guaranteeing a continuity in the ‘Christmas Concert of Hope’ events that development approach. The ultimate • to provide the local residents with development of the model. The inclusion of promoted positive messages of hope and role of the Care Zone steering group is to an opportunity to express the representatives of various service providers encouraged the community to ‘look out’ assist in identifying the key health issues, issues that impact on their mental in the area in the Care Zone group has for one another. Both of these events were resources, and knowledge to address these health and well-being by organising enabled prompt delivery of actions. held in the heart of the community and issues. regular consultation events and attracted over one thousand residents. empowering and skilling local people Family Fun days encouraged the use of A Care Zone working group was as ‘community champions’ to carry out COMMUNITY EVENTS public spaces, often plagued by vandalism established to work with the local residents focus group discussions; and and anti-social behaviour. These spaces to co-produce a response to local needs • to develop a statistical health profile From initial consultations with local were temporarily reclaimed to hold fun and to support them to bring about that highlights the main public health residents and through conversations filled activities with catering and family positive change in the area. Adopting challenges in the area that will inform with the Care Zone working group, it was entertainment and they provided a great this approach means that decisions or the local community and relevant clear there was a demand for celebratory opportunity to consult with local residents. actions taken will ‘not be done’ to local statutory, voluntary and community events that would bring people together Additional Universal Credit clinics that residents, but with them instead. One of sector organisations. in a positive context. The need to produce were organised to explain the impact of the early actions identified by the working ‘quick wins’ in the work of the Care Universal Credit to local residents, proved group was to promote the Care Zone and Zone project among local residents was to be very effective in bringing people to increase local residents’ awareness of 24 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 25

with similar concerns together in mutual highlighting the content of the event As was the case for the first Fun Day, the importance of speaking out and asking support. Such events have provided were produced and distributed by young event was used as a platform for statutory, for help whilst breaking down the stigma a platform to promote community volunteers amongst local residents. A range voluntary and community agencies to raise associated with suicide and mental health. connections and a sense of belonging, of partners from the Care Zone working awareness about the services they offer. The while also increasing awareness of service group used their networks and resources event attracted 800 people from different providers within the Care Zone area to provide a range of free activities such age groups and backgrounds including INSPIRATIONAL YOUTH AWARDS through health promotion activities and as children’s play activities, yoga taster many residents who do not normally stands. sessions, arts and crafts, healthy eating participate in community activities. The In March 2019 YEHA, Lighthouse, demonstrations, haircuts from a Turkish success of the day was made possible Streetbeat and Belfast Healthy Cities barber, sport massages and a community largely by effective partnership working organised a youth awards ceremony in the CHRISTMAS CONCERT OF HOPE barbeque. As with other community between the Care Zone working group Duncairn Centre. The focus of the event events, a number of local service providers members, public and voluntary agencies was to highlight the positive contributions Following the successful organisation of offering mental health and well-being and local community organisations. young people make to their local the Concert of Hope in September 2016, services were invited to use the Fun Day as community. Special awards were presented a subsequent ‘Christmas Concert of Hope’ a platform for providing information about to young people who have overcome event was held during Christmas 2017 their services to local residents. In addition, CYCLE AGAINST SUICIDE adversity, personal challenges and difficult in the Sacred Heart Parish Church. The a conversation corner was set up to allow NORTH BELFAST SCHOOLS circumstances and who selflessly support concert featured performances from “The local residents to engage in a more in- others in their community by volunteering, Priests”, folk groups, local church soloists, depth discussion on their mental health Each year Cycle Against Suicide partners awareness raising, organising community local primary schools and reciters. The and well-being and on their experiences of work with a number of schools along the events or as peer mentors. There were over inclusion of Santa and Mrs Claus ensured using healthcare services in the local area. Cycle route to co-host a mental health 100 young people in attendance. that the event was also memorable for The results from this are included in the event comprising presentations, videos, children. Despite the most awful weather publication, A Sense of Place – Stories from celebrity speakers, entertainment and conditions, many local residents attended. the North Belfast Care Zone17. The Fun an exhibition of local mental health COMMUNITY CHOIR Day was attended by over 400 people of all services. In March 2018 Lighthouse, YEHA, The concert was also used to highlight ages, including many young mothers with Start360, Streetbeat Youth Project and the It is widely recognised that singing is an the plight of families impacted by suicide their children. Most attendees were local to Belfast Health Development Unit worked enjoyable activity. However more recently and to raise community spirit. A team of the area or had close (family) connections together with North Belfast Area Learning it has been used as a therapy for relaxation, volunteers braved the elements to erect living in the area. Some were newcomers Committee to organise the mental health overcoming depression and anxiety and message boards (see pages 12 & 13) and represent a growing community of event. Over 400 pupils from 11 post reducing stress. Following the Christmas outside the venue that featured messages ethnic minorities in the area. primary schools in north Belfast attended Concert of Hope, a community choir was of hope and joy. Local volunteers also this amazing event hosted in Boys’ Model set up in 2017. Its purpose was to bring prepared a unique gift bag for each person Following the success of the 2017 Summer Secondary School. The aim was to promote people together so that they could meet attending that signified care, compassion Fun Day, a second Fun Day event was the message ‘It’s ok not to feel ok; and regularly for enjoyment and relaxation. The and hope, containing information on organised in consultation with local it’s absolutely ok to ask for help’ to young choir is run by volunteers and meets every support services, a Christmas gift tag to residents, who selected the Marrowbone people within the Care Zone area and the Monday evening in Sacred Heart Parish encourage all present to do something Park as an appropriate venue. Although it is wider north Belfast area. centre. The evening begins with a “chat and special for a friend or neighbour and… a the only green space in the local area, the a cuppa” and the singing includes a variety ROLO to share! The event was also used to Marrowbone Park has been associated with of songs and hymns, old and new. The raise awareness on the Care Zone project disrepair, anti-social behaviour, substance MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS CLASS choir varies in number and has members and its objectives. misuse and a place where people have WITH EX FOOTBALLER CLARKE CARLISLE from eight to eighty years of age but has a sadly taken their own lives. It was felt that core group who attend regularly. They have the organisation of a community event in In June 2017 the ex-professional premier provided the music for the Nativity tableau SUMMER FUN DAYS the park would make it possible to reclaim league footballer Clarke Carlisle spoke each Christmas Eve and for other seasonal this local green space for wider community about his battle with depression and the functions, but its main function is to be a A Summer Fun Day was organised by use. The ‘Listening brings Hope’ event attempt he tried to make in ending his social and enjoyable activity. the Care Zone working group in the car that took place in August 2018 aimed to life. There were over 80 young people park of the former St. Gemma’s school create a family friendly event, by providing in attendance at the event organised in August 2017. Information bulletins a range of activities suitable for all ages. by YEHA. The aim was to highlight the

17. http://www.placeni.org/shop.html 26 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 27

MINDFULNESS SESSIONS ACTION ON HEARING LOSS SESSIONS

Aware NI delivered mindfulness sessions Action on Hearing Loss agreed to trial “a to local residents in June 2017 and in clinic” in Sacred Heart Parish centre to September 2018 in Sacred Heart Parish facilitate local residents who suffer from Centre. The feedback from residents who deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. So far attended was extremely positive and many two clinics have taken place in August and stated that the sessions would help them in October 2018. The volunteers carried out cope with the daily stresses in their lives. hearing tests; provided advice; checked/ They expressed a wish that further sessions cleaned hearing aids and provided could be made available to them. batteries where necessary to residents. The feedback from local residents was very positive. Many cited that it was useful to have the service locally as they would not be able to travel into town or to hospital or a clinic to have a test or get their hearing aid serviced because taxis were too expensive.

“The Care Zone initiative followed a challenging time in my youth work career, having been impacted by the loss of life of a young person through suicide, I began to lose hope in the role of community work in this local area. Both personally and professionally I was rejuvenated by the Care Zone process. Working in partnership with likeminded people and experiencing the amazing impact of a truly community led methodology, where local people’s voices matter most of all, has restored a personal sense of hope and in turn has motivated me to restore hope in the community.”

(Sean Devlin, YEHA project) 28 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 29

TIMELINE

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPING COMMUNITY COMMUNITY KEY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION CELEBRATION CELEBRATION THE AREA CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS PRESENTATIONS CONSULTATIONS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS PROFILE

Advertising for Pilot Care Concert of Hope Cycle against Summer Fun Day Belfast Healthy Presentation of Defining the Volunteers: Zone Schools Brian Kennedy Suicide North at Marrowbone Cities join the Journey to date Area, Community Posters, Leaflets, Programme feat Gardiner St Belfast Schools Millennium Park Care Zone at 2nd Future Focus Groups. Local Bulletin Mercy College Gospel Choir Steering Group Search Event

Mental Health Three Christmas Information Trained young Health and Awareness Event Universal Credit Statistical Presentation Concert Evening people as Schools Wellbeing info with ex footballer Information Area Profile to Planning Questionnaire based Mentors event in Sacred ‘Clarke Carlisle’ Sessions undertaken by Department DfI and Christmas Heart Parish Belfast Healthy Promise Packs Weekly Meetings Centre Cities Care Zone Space Mindfulness in Inspirational Presentation and created in Mercy Sacred Heart Youth Awards area visit from Consultation 6 week Training: College Action Cancer Parish Centre Analyzing Mayor of Cork activities at Ulster University Bus at former data from the Summer Fun St Gemma’s Site 2nd Summer Fun community Days Peer Mentors Concert of Hope. Day Marrowbone research project Presentation at Certificate become support ‘The Priests’ Millennium Park World Health Evening in New for other young Summer Fun Day feat. local Organization Organised Belfast Campus people at former performances Local history International Consultation Community St Gemma’s Site Ongoing Choir research project conference events for Conversations Sessions carried out by Marrowbone Park Youth support Action for PLACE and Development delivery of mental Hearing Loss community Highly Further health workshops champions Commended Recruitment for in Mercy College in 2018 Healthy Community more Champions City ‘Engaging for Champions Analyzing and Change’ award Facilitate Further Presenting Data Community Recruitment of in Report Conversations Schools based Presentation at Mentors Local History Project Book Place Standard Launch exercise 30 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 31

HEALTH PROFILE FIGURE 1. FIGURE 2.

ACTUAL MAP OF SACRED HEART ACTUAL MAP OF SACRED HEART At the onset of the Care Zone project it Parish area, the figures provided in the PARISH AREA WITH PRE-2014 WARDS PARISH AREA WITH POST-2014 WARDS was agreed to collate localised statistical profile serve as approximation only. PROJECTED PROJECTED information to highlight the major public Source: Ordnance Survey / PLACE Source: Ordnance Survey / PLACE health challenges effecting residents living Information in the profile is drawn from in the Sacred Heart Parish area. Since the data routinely published by statutory localised data was not readily available in sector agencies such as the Northern an easily accessible format, an area profile, Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service The Care Zone Health Profile, containing (NINIS), which is maintained by Northern obtainable statistical data on health and Ireland Statistics and Research Agency well-being and on the determinants of (NISRA). Statistics published on NINIS are health, including demography, education, drawn from statutory sector agencies, skills, housing and community safety including government departments, has been produced. The profile is also a Health and Social Service Trusts, Councils, resource to local community organisations the Police Service of Northern Ireland and was used to inform the community and schools, colleges and universities. In conversations with local residents. The data cases where information was not available contained in this chapter summarises the through the NINIS portal, government key messages from the health profile to organisations such as Department of provide the reader with an overview of the Health, the Police Service of Northern main health issues and health inequalities Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing experienced by the residents. Executive and the Public Health Agency have made available data from their own databases. FIGURE 3. FIGURE 4. DATA SOURCES The Sacred Heart Parish area falls within ACTUAL MAP OF SACRED HEART PARISH SMALL AREAS INCLUDED WITHIN Since no data is collected on the Sacred the Belfast North Assembly area and is AREA WITH SUPER OUTPUT AREAS SACRED HEART PARISH AREA Heart Parish area itself, other geographical partially covered by a total of six wards PROJECTED Source: Department of Health / NISRA units have been used to capture (see Figure 1). Following the redefinition Source: Ordnance Survey / PLACE information in the area. For the purposes of Belfast Council’s geographical area due of the profile, data has been collated to the reorganisation of Northern Ireland’s at the most local level available; where 26 Council areas into eleven new ‘super’ possible at Super Output Area (SOA)18 Council areas in 2014, ward boundaries level, alternatively at electoral ward level have been aligned with Belfast Council’s or at Parliamentary Assembly Area (AA) ten new District Electoral Areas (DEAs) level. Data from the Department of Health accordingly. These new (post-2014) ward generally relates to Small Areas (SAs)19, boundaries are shown in Figure 2. and thereby provides the best statistical representation of the area. Due to the fact There are nine SOAs (see Figure 3) that that statistical geographies often capture cover the area. At SA level, there are a a wider area than the actual Sacred Heart total of 48 Small Areas that fall within the Sacred Heart Parish area of which 30 fall entirely within (coloured green in Figure 4), 14 fall within the parish but also extend across the parish boundary (coloured 18. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/support/ yellow) and 4 fall minimally within geography/northern-ireland-super- (coloured orange). output-areas 19. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/support/ geography/northern-ireland-small-areas 32 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 33

Based on 2018 population estimates, the KEY FINDINGS The median age of death is below 78 the Northern Ireland number (78.4 years) total population in the Super Output Areas years in many parts of the area, compared and 1.2 years lower than the Belfast City covering the Sacred Heart Parish area is to 80 years for the Belfast Council area. Council number (76.0 years). Female life 18,350 people. This number represents GENERAL HEALTH Admission rates to hospital are generally expectancy in the Sacred Heart Parish 17.6% of the population in the Belfast higher in north Belfast when compared area is not very different from the Belfast North Assembly Area and 5.4% of the There is a high proportion of residents to Belfast Council and Northern Ireland. City Council or Northern Ireland numbers. total Belfast population. Table 2 provides in parts of the Sacred Heart Parish area Life expectancy in Belfast North is shorter The standardised preventable death an overview of the broad age distribution reporting poor or very poor health (11- than in Belfast as a whole, and also shorter rate in the Sacred Heart Parish area (357 within the area, compared to the Belfast 15%) compared to Belfast residents (8%). than in Belfast East and Belfast South deaths per 100,000 population) was over North Assembly Area and Belfast as a This is also reflected in the fact that in Assembly Areas. The gap between male almost 30% higher than the Belfast City whole. It highlights that the proportion of the majority of the Sacred Heart Parish life expectancy at birth in Belfast North Council area average (276 deaths per children aged under 16 is comparatively area, a high proportion of the population and in Northern Ireland is over three years, 100,000 population) and more than 70% high in the area, while the proportion of claims Disability Living Allowance (14-27%), while the gap for women is just under two higher than the Northern Ireland average people aged 65 and over is lower in many Employment and Support Allowance (18- years. At age 65, the gap for men is one (207 deaths per 100,000 population). Super Output Areas than in Belfast as a 33%) and/or Carer’s Allowance (8-11.5%) and a half years, and for women just over Tables 3 below provides an outline of the whole. when compared against the Northern one year. However, male life expectancy main causes of death. It highlights that Ireland population (5%). in the Sacred Heart Parish area stands at malignant neoplasms – cancer – is a major 74.8 years, which is 3.6 years lower than cause of death in most Super Output Areas.

TABLE 2 TABLE 3 POPULATION TOTALS BY AREA AND BROAD AGE BAND, 2018 NUMBER OF DEATHS BY CAUSE AND AREA, 2017

Malignant Circulatory Respiratory Persons: Persons: Persons: Persons: SOA Deaths (%) (%) (%) SOA Persons Neoplasms Diseases Diseases 0-15 years 16-39 years 40-64 years 65+ years Ardoyne 3 24 6 25.00 4 16.67 4 16.67 All No % No % No % No % Ballysillan 2 18 4 22.22 5 27.78 5 27.78 Ardoyne 3 2,311 627 27.13 765 33.10 630 27.26 289 12.51 Chichester Park 3 9 5 55.56 1 11.11 0 0.00 Ballysillan 2 1,810 336 18.56 614 33.92 608 33.59 252 13.92

Chichester Park 3 1,436 309 21.52 417 29.04 503 35.03 207 14.42 Cliftonville 1 10 3 30.00 2 20.00 3 30.00

Cliftonville 1 2,246 633 28.18 790 35.17 614 27.34 209 9.31 Cliftonville 2 18 7 38.89 3 16.67 4 22.22

Cliftonville 2 1,496 273 18.25 414 27.67 493 32.95 316 21.12 Cliftonville 3 10 4 40.00 1 10.00 3 30.00

Cliftonville 3 1,759 477 27.12 570 32.40 509 28.94 202 11.48 Crumlin 2 24 7 29.17 4 16.67 3 12.50 Crumlin 2 2,830 734 25.94 1007 35.58 744 26.29 345 12.19 Water Works 1 14 5 35.71 2 14.29 5 35.71 Water Works 1 2,695 694 25.75 973 36.10 754 27.98 275 10.20 Water Works 2 18 4 22.22 5 27.78 1 5.56 Water Works 2 1,767 396 22.41 594 33.62 531 30.05 246 13.92 Belfast North 1,039 268 25.79 229 22.04 157 15.11 Belfast North 104,457 22,209 21.26 33,124 31.71 32,381 31.00 16,743 16.03

Belfast 341,877 68,023 19.90 122,513 35.84 101,263 29.62 50,078 14.65 Belfast 3,166 855 27.01 701 22.14 444 14.02

Northern Ireland 1,881,641 393,510 20.91 579,513 30.80 600,421 31.91 308,197 16.38 Northern Ireland 16,036 4,460 27.81 3,780 23.57 2,145 13.38

Source: Mid-year population estimates, NISRA Source: NISRA 34 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 35

• The standardised cancer incidence MENTAL HEALTH Sacred Heart Parish area accounts for ward experiences a comparatively high rate among the Sacred Heart Parish only 17% of the North Belfast population). rate of recorded anti-social behaviour area residents (718 incidences per Like many other deprived areas, the local More than half of social housing applicants incidents, domestic abuse incidents and 100,000 population) is almost 10% community within the Care Zone area consist of single households (n=446). crimes, and hate motivation incidents and higher than the Belfast average (653 has been deeply affected by poor levels of Families account for more than a third of crimes. Violence against the person, sexual incidences) and more than 20% higher mental health: the applicants (n=290). Single households offences and robbery constituted the than the Northern Ireland average (596 • The standardised prescription rate for seem to be overrepresented in the waiting largest proportion of crime reported to the incidences); mood and anxiety among the Sacred list, while the elderly underrepresented PSNI within the Sacred Heart Parish area. • The standardised admission rate due Heart Parish area residents (312 when compared to the wider Belfast The monthly number of reported crime to circulatory disease among the prescriptions per 1,000 population) Council area. incidents is fairly consistent throughout Sacred Heart Parish area residents is more than 25% higher than the the year (between 130-170 per month), (2,150 admissions per 100,000 Belfast average (248 prescriptions) and however a drop in the number of reported population) is more than 10% higher 46% higher than the Northern Ireland COMMUNITY SAFETY incidents seems to occur during December. than the Belfast average (1,934 average (213 prescriptions); admissions) and 4% higher than the NI • The standardised admission rate due The presence of crime often contributes average (2,062 admissions); to self-harm among the Sacred Heart to levels of anxiety amongst the local DEPRIVATION • The standardised admission rate due Parish area residents (243 admissions community. The most common type of to respiratory disease among the per 100,000 population) is 27% higher incident reported in the Sacred Heart Income and economic situation is one Sacred Heart Parish area residents than the Belfast area average (191 Parish area in the year before June 2019 of the most significant determinants of (3,371 admissions per 100,000 admissions) and almost 60% higher was categorised as anti-social behaviour health. Table 4 illustrates the rankings of population) is more than 40% higher than the Northern Ireland average (154 (555 incidents), followed by violence the SOAs located within the Care Zone than the Belfast average (2,378 admissions); & sexual offences (466) and criminal area in the 2017 Northern Ireland Multiple admissions) and more than 60% • The suicide rate within the Sacred damage & arson (244). The Water Works Deprivation Measure (where 1 is the most higher than the Northern Ireland Heart Parish area (39.6 deaths per average (2,074 admissions). 100,000 population) is more than 60% higher than the Belfast average (24.4 In the Sacred Heart Parish area, there deaths) and more than 250% higher TABLE 4 is also a higher proportion of people than the Northern Ireland average RANKING OF SUPER OUTPUT AREAS IN CARE ZONE AREA BY NI MULTIPLE registered at the GP for Chronic Obstructive (16.1 deaths). DEPRIVATION MEASURE DOMAINS, 2017 Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and diabetes compared to the Northern Irish and Belfast average. Prevalence rates of dementia HOUSING are generally lower than the Northern Irish average, particularly in the Ardoyne, Good quality housing is critical to health SOA Cliftonville and Crumlin wards (less outcomes for the population and it is than 5 patients per 1000 people) when important that different types of homes

compared to the Belfast and Northern are required to meet people’s needs as Multiple Depri-vation Measure Domain Income Employment Domain Health Deprivation and Disability Domain Skills and Education, Domain Training Services to Access Domain Living Environment Domain Crime and Disorder Domain

Ireland population as a whole (around 7 they evolve throughout their life. A higher Ardoyne 3 9 67 12 6 19 804 87 16 patients). A local study20 on air pollution proportion of households in many parts of Ballysillan 2 268 543 224 205 146 766 63 234 levels indicate that levels of NO2 pollution the Sacred Heart Parish area live in housing is above or near the legal 40 ug/m3 owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Chichester Park 3 559 721 476 403 400 578 180 282 limit along parts of Crumlin Road and at Executive or a housing association (28% Cliftonville 1 98 161 75 74 183 638 109 100 Cliftonville Circus. - 66%), compared to the wider Belfast Cliftonville 2 515 725 361 334 580 888 55 202

Council area (25%). There were a total of Cliftonville 3 150 219 120 96 129 864 398 155 938 applicants registered on the social Crumlin 2 21 30 56 20 10 749 168 68 housing waiting list in September 2017, which represents 21% of the waiting list Water Works 1 15 89 18 8 26 767 46 35 20. Green Party NI/Gradco of the North Belfast Assembly Area (the Water Works 2 2 23 2 4 63 846 341 21 measurement of NO2 levels across 40 locations in Belfast and North Down. population within SOAs that cover the Source: NISRA Results available on: http://www.greenpartyni.org/ significant-study-show-extent-of-air-pollution-problem/ 36 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 37

deprived and 890 the least deprived). The these high rates of economic inactivity. community relations for future generations. proportion of school leavers in Belfast table highlights that many SOAs within the Unemployment is generally higher than Enrolment numbers in primary schools (PS) North Assembly Area that go on to higher Care Zone area are affected by significant the Belfast and Northern Ireland average, in the Sacred Heart Parish area between education (32%) is lower than the Belfast deprivation, particularly in relation to with youth unemployment rates particular 2002 and 2017 have been quite consistent average (39%), while the proportion that income, employment and health. The high in most of the SOAs. In the majority of with the exception of Cliftonville Integrated become unemployed (8.7%) is higher than Access to Services domain indicates that the SOAs in the Sacred Heart Parish area, PS, which has experienced a significant the Belfast average (6.7%). the area is among the less deprived; the proportion of the population claiming increase in enrolment numbers, and Sacred however, the focus within this, is on Jobseeker’s Allowance (3.5-8%), Income Heart PS, which has seen its enrolment A significant proportion of the adult physical accessibility to services, and many Support (5-12%) or Housing Benefit (25- numbers fall by more than half. While no population in parts of the Sacred Heart factors impact on accessibility. In many 44%) is above the Belfast average. There is a newcomer pupils were enrolled within the Parish area have no formal qualifications parts of the Sacred Heart Parish area, 47- significant proportion of children 0-15 years primary schools in 2002/2003, the number (37-51%) when compared to the wider 71% of households do not have access to old living in low income households (up to of newcomer pupils in 2016/2017 has risen, Belfast population (30%), while a lower a car. This compares to 38% of households 63% in Ardoyne / Water Works areas) and particularly in the Cliftonville Integrated PS. proportion of the adult population in in the wider Belfast Council area. The table proportion of pensioners on low income However, all primary schools in the area still parts of the Sacred Heart Parish have a also highlights significant variation within (up to 77% in Ardoyne). have lower proportions of newcomer pupils third level qualification or above (15-26%) the area in relation to deprivation, with two compared to the Belfast average. when compared to the wider Belfast of the SOAs within the Sacred Heart Parish population (39%). There is a low level of area considerably lower on the overall EDUCATION AND SKILLS There is considerable variation in rates of engagement with essential skills courses, deprivation ranking. GCSE and A-level attainment within the further education and higher education in Good quality education for children is Sacred Heart Parish area. In many parts the parts of the Sacred Heart Parish area There are high rates of economic inactivity important for enabling a higher quality of the area a lower proportion of school (Ballysillan and Ardoyne in particular) when in the Sacred Heart Parish area (42- of life later in their lives. It provides the leavers achieve at least five GCSEs at grades compared to the Belfast average. 54%) compared to the wider Belfast route into meaningful employment and A*-C (54-75%) or at least two A-levels Council area (36%), with the exception a stable income. Schools often also equip (22-56%) when compared to the Belfast of upper Oldpark Road area. Long term pupils with the social skills required in life. average educational attainment 80% and sickness and disability appears to be a Social diversity in the school setting might 66% respectively. Generally speaking, major factor when it comes to explaining contribute to the development of good attainment among school leavers entitled to Free School Meals is lower than among their peers without this entitlement. The TABLE 5 ACHIEVEMENT OF SCHOOL LEAVERS BY SUPER OUTPUT AREA, 2015-16

Achieved At Least 5 GCSE’s Achieved 2+ SOA School Leavers (%) (%) grades A*-C (or equiv)21 A-levels (or equiv) Ardoyne 3 18 11 61.1 4 22.2 Ballysillan 2 21 15 71.4 11 52.4 Chichester Park 3 16 12 75.0 9 56.3 This Care Zone has provided a lot of help and support for Cliftonville 1 47 39 83.0 31 66.0 the people of a very deprived part of our city and has been Cliftonville 2 20 20 100.0 17 85.0 availed of by the whole parish area, with both sides of our Cliftonville 3 16 12 75.0 9 56.3 community benefitting from it. It has provided much useful Crumlin 2 28 15 53.6 10 35.7 information and practical help for everyone who wanted it. Water Works 1 27 17 63.0 11 40.7 e.g. “Action for Hearing Loss” held a regular surgery where Water Works 2 24 19 79.2 8 33.3 people could have their hearing aids checked and be given Belfast North 1101 821 74.57 581 52.77 batteries for NHS hearing aids. This was a blessing for many. Belfast 3695 2918 78.97 2160 58.46

Northern Ireland 22746 18582 81.70 13037 57.30 (local resident) Source: Department of Education

21. This number includes school leavers that have achieved 2+ A-levels or equivalent) 38 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 39

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS their involvement in focus groups on the Sacred Heart Parish area by documenting public health challenges in the area, the life experiences of people who lived there. Community Champions also took part in Fifteen people who grew up or worked in METHODS OF ENGAGEMENT who had been responsible for delivering the Place Standard assessment of the local the area during different decades agreed elements of the training programme. In environment. to be interviewed on their experiences Following completion of the Health recruiting participants for the focus groups, of living or working in the area. These Profile, it was recognised that in-depth emphasis was placed on identifying people participants were recruited with the help engagement with local residents of the from different backgrounds, gender and CHRISTMAS CRACKER of Care Zone working group members and Sacred Heart Parish about their health and age so that a wide range of voices in COMMUNITY QUESTIONNAIRE were fully informed about the purpose well-being was required to help build a the community would be appropriately of the project and how their information complete picture of the health challenges represented. To achieve this, invitations for A questionnaire was developed with the could help to inform it. The Public Health they experienced. Various engagement focus group participants were advertised support of the Public Health Agency Agency funded Planning Landscape methods were deployed by the Care Zone as widely as possible, while also relying on to gauge the opinion of local residents Architecture Community Environment working group, to reach a wide group of ‘word of mouth’ and the social networks about the qualities of the local area. (PLACE) to carry out the interviews and to local residents. of the Community Champions. A template The questionnaire was issued to those produce the publication A Sense of Place – of questions and additional prompts, who attended the Christmas Concert of Stories from the North Belfast Care Zone. developed during the training sessions, Hope (n=170) and included the following COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS supported the facilitators to lead the questions: discussions, which focused on the health CHILDREN’S CONSULTATION A representative group of twelve local challenges residents experienced in • How do you feel about living residents was recruited to undertake a their everyday lives. This set of questions in the area? During the Summer Fun Day event at the twelve-week training course that was and prompts was carefully selected to • How would you rate site of the former St Gemma’s school in delivered in partnership with the Ulster complement the available statistical community spirit in your area? August 2017, feedback was collected by University. The purpose of the programme information in the health profile on health • How would you rate the look Belfast Healthy Cities from children on was to empower the group to become status and the determinants of health. of your area? their play activities and their views on their health and well-being ‘champions’ within Initial briefings ensured that protocols • How would you rate the safety local built environment. The participating the community. The training course were applied to all participants in the of your area? children, aged between 5 and 12 years encouraged the group to undertake a focus groups; for example, on behaviours, • How would you rate transport old were engaged by community artists mapping exercise of the area and to anonymity and withdrawal, and agreed in your area? through a variety of child-friendly art and increase their understanding of the area’s among facilitators before group discussions • How would you rate health in craft activities. Parents were also consulted challenges in relation to health, education, were held. All participants were informed your area? about the provision of (child-friendly) crime, services, housing, transport and that their identities would be kept • How would you rate housing facilities in the local neighbourhood. In infrastructure. The training was supported anonymous and that they had a right to in your area? addition, a school survey on the views of by presenting the statistical data compiled withdraw from the focus group at any time. • How would you rate children and young people on their local in the health profile. As part of the education in your area? environment was developed by Belfast training, the Community Champions also • What would you like to see Healthy Cities. Questionnaires were sent received assistance to develop the skills PLACE STANDARD TOOL changed or improved in your out to seven schools throughout the north and knowledge necessary to facilitate community area? Belfast area in 2014. The pupils surveyed focus group discussions to gain in depth The Place Standard Tool is a tool included Primary 4 and Primary 7 children knowledge and stories from local residents developed by NHS Health Scotland22 to A quarter of the respondents indicated in primary schools, and Years 8 and year 10 and on methods to report on the findings. record stakeholders’ views on the built they were below the age of 45, while more pupils in the secondary schools. environment and to support increased than half of the respondents indicated that understanding of the links between they were over 55 years of age. FOCUS GROUPS the built environment and health and MARROWBONE PARK CONSULTATION well-being. The tool seeks to present Focus groups were usually organised the findings in a structured way, using ‘LOOKING BACK TO GO FORWARD‘ The working group also sought to ensure around a common interest group and key elements of the environment, for that local residents’ views were represented facilitated by Community Champions example, footpaths, housing, safety, to The ‘Looking Back to go Forward’ project in mainstream consultation processes and Care Zone working group members policymakers and planners. In addition to aimed to capture the local history of the initiated by Belfast City Council on

22. http://www.healthscotland.scot/health-inequalities/impact-of-social-and-physical-environments/place/the-place-standard-tool 40 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 41

proposals to redevelop the Marrowbone KEY FINDINGS “People are the strength [of the living in the Lower Oldpark / Rosapenna Park. Many of the working group members community] but that is breaking up – area: felt that the proposals addressed local Findings in this section provide an overview keeping themselves to themselves and concerns insufficiently, particularly those of the main health and well-being family connection is broken.” “You daren’t speak to them as they would held by women and the families of those challenges highlighted by residents living challenge you. They throw stones and who had taken their own lives in the in the area, through the various forms of Focus group discussions reported that local litter the place.” park. They also felt that the proposed ‘Community Conversations’. residents still tend to look out for each consultation sessions in the Marrowbone other to some extent. Residents based Young people are more scathing about Park were not likely to uncover those in the Upper Cliftonville area tend to be the general appearance of the area and concerns. Following discussion with a LIVING IN THE AREA mainly positive about their neighbours and the difficulties in making the area look Council representative an additional the level of support they receive from their welcoming. They highlight the importance morning session was held in the Sacred In response to a short questionnaire that social networks. The Sacred Heart Parish of initiatives that bring people together Heart Parish centre. A second session with was distributed among local residents seems to provide a certain common sense to counterbalance the negative behaviour young people who use the park regularly during the Concert of Hope, residents of belonging to the area and facilitates associated with some elements in the was also organised. indicated that they generally like living shared social networks: community. in the area, with two thirds answering As a result of further liaison with positively to a question on living in the “People only acknowledge each other in “I like the men’s sheds in that the area the Council, a meeting between the area. People living in the upper parts of passing by, a nod. […] I come here as it’s is used for that instead of being used for responsible Council officer and a bereaved the Cliftonville Road tend to be more my parish.” bonfires” family member was organised during positive than those living in the Oldpark which the impact of the proposed /Rosapenna areas of the Sacred Heart The importance of re-establishing Young people are particularly perturbed redevelopments on the memorial site Parish area. values such as friendliness and support about the presence of ‘headers’ (people on were explained in more detail. The Youth for neighbours when required, was drugs) in the area and the transient nature Education Health Advice (YEHA) project Throughout the community conversations highlighted. These were values that of some parts of the community brought together a group of local young people talked fondly about the community residents indicated were upheld during people affected by the loss of peers to spirit of the area in the past, but they also ‘The Troubles’, when crisis situations “Manor Street is like benefit street, houses exchange their views on the proposed highlighted how this was changed with the demanded that communities came are old, lots of people moving in and out, redevelopment with the Council officer. advent of ‘The Troubles’ and subsequent together against common threats. more foreign people.” This engagement provided consultees urban redevelopment. Residents also recognize that the impact with a greater sense of efficacy, while also of ‘The Troubles’ in the local area has led to leading to more informed consultation “There was a real change in community intercommunity strife and fear of the ‘other’ SOCIAL CONNECTIONS responses. spirit when the area was redeveloped. community. You didn’t know who your neighbours Due to the close ties, safety fears and were or what they belonged to.” It was also highlighted that community sectarian tensions that many have SEMI STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS events create the potential for bringing within their immediate area, residents Many participants in focus group local residents closer together. This is socialise by visiting family or friends at The community events were used as an discussions recalled memories of people reflected in the results of the questionnaire home. Community facilities such as sport opportunity to carry out semi-structured working together to organise events such that indicate that local residents identify clubs, gyms, the Parish Centre, parks and interviews with a wide range of local as street parties, that created a sense of the level of community spirit in the area at hairdressers are also referenced as places residents on their experiences of using the connectedness and a welcome to all. the time when the Concert of Hope was where people sometimes go. However, healthcare system and on their preferred These discussions also highlighted that held as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. during the focus group discussions, priorities to be pursued throughout the local residents generally have close family participants generally agreed there are not Care Zone project. At some of these events generational ties within the local area and The issue of lower levels of community sufficient opportunities to socialise in the a ‘conversation corner’ was set up to allow these historical family connections to the spirit was raised as a potential factor local area. There is a lack of welcoming attendees to articulate personal health area, create a strong sense of belonging. in unwanted social behaviour going public spaces in the area. The Marrowbone challenges on a voluntary basis, about their However, residents also recognize that the unchallenged. Local residents feel Park is seen as a meeting place for young experiences of living in the area. intensity of social bonds has weakened over frustrated about the nuisance caused people only. The nearest leisure centres the last decades: by younger people through anti-social are perceived to be out of reach. Residents behaviour and drug use, particularly those tend to rely on facilities such as pubs and 42 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 43

bookies to socialise in their local area. SUPPORT TO ACCESS TO HEALTH health facilities outside their immediate in reducing health levels of older people. Although facilities such as cafes and coffee AND WELL-BEING SERVICES neighbourhood. The nearest public mental shops would be welcome, some express health service, for example, is located “lots of older people are alcoholics; old concern about the affordability of such The health issues most frequently ‘quite far up’ the Antrim Road. In addition, people don’t leave their home apart from places: mentioned by residents in the focus some residents feel that certain facilities or going to church”. group discussions included mental health, services are not accessible to them because “It would be nice to have somewhere to depression, cancer, asthma, Chronic of fears of personal safety on route or due to In relation to accessing health services, meet likes cafes or places to drop in [to] Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and a lack of trust in the services provider. The young people largely identify similar issues get a tea or coffee and not have to buy a arthritis. Most participants acknowledged Girdwood centre and Ballysillan park/leisure to those raised by adults, such as GP meal.” that poor lifestyle choices and drug and centre offer good facilities but are perceived waiting lists and poor physical access to alcohol use is a contributory factor to by some residents to be in neighbourhoods publicly managed leisure centres. Several participants indicated that the lower life expectancy with local residents, that are unsafe to travel to. prevalence of anti-social behaviour in the amongst wider issues. area during evening time discourages local Focus group participants mainly indicated SUPPORT TO ACCESS MENTAL residents from leaving their home. As The Sacred Heart Parish area has a that they are very unhappy about the effort HEALTH SERVICES a result, some people, especially elderly number of General Practitioners (GPs) and it takes to get an appointment with a GP, residents, do not get the opportunity to pharmacies that offer frontline healthcare which is usually the first port of call to seek Focus group participants who have socialise regularly and can feel socially services to local residents. Some major advice on a health issue. experienced drug abuse, depression or isolated. A lack of opportunities for health facilities are located just outside suicide themselves, or who have had volunteering adds to this problem. the Sacred Heart Parish area such as the “I phoned 24 times this morning before family members who experienced these Mater Hospital on Crumlin Road, the I got through [to the General Practice]. problems, generally applaud the level of Responses also indicate there are not Carlisle Wellbeing & Treatment Centre and When you do get through they say it’s too family support available to them. However, enough facilities for young people in the the Community Mental Health Resource late and you have to try again after 8am major concerns are flagged up by focus area. Almost one fifth of questionnaire Centre (Old See House) on Antrim Road. tomorrow.” group participants in relation to accessing respondents identified the improvement In addition, leisure facilities such as the professional help on mental health. It was of youth services as a priority for change. Ballysillan Leisure Centre and Girdwood Discussions highlighted that waiting times highlighted that some people, especially The Deanby Youth Club and the Youth Community Hub are also located just of up to four weeks for an appointment men, may not want to seek help because Education Health Advice (YEHA) facilities outside the area and residents are fearful with a GP appears to be standard. Some of the social stigma attached to mental are identified as the only opportunities of travelling outside the area. It was also respondents felt that GPs are on a tight health. Responses also indicate that for young people to come together. It was noted that residents are not always aware time schedule because of the pressures residents often do not appear to know highlighted by some respondents that of local facilities or the range of activities on the health system and do not take the which service to turn to, other than their young people are perceived to ‘hang out in that take place within the Sacred Heart time or make the effort to really understand GP or the A&E (Accident & Emergency) groups at the back of shops’ and to partake Parish area. their health issues. Pharmacies, on the department in hospitals and often they are in (underage) consumption of alcohol. other hand, are easily accessed and tend not able to provide the right type of care. There appears to be an unmet demand for to offer good advice on health issues and The reason cited for attending A&E is that Young people themselves mirrored addiction support services. There are also on availability of other services. The quality in using the mainstream health channels the general perception that there are insufficient sport and recreational facilities of service offered by health service carers is such as the GP or the Community Mental insufficient facilities for them to come within the Sacred Heart Parish area. The perceived to be good, but since carers can Health Resource Centre, patients can wait together in a safe environment, particularly only publicly available sports pitch is only stay for a limited time, the care that is several weeks to access a professional in relation to late night youth provision Marrowbone Park and is only available provided by family and friends remains very mental health service. Even in emergency during the weekends. Young men in through a booking system that requires important. situations, patients might still have to wait particular felt they would benefit from payment. Schools in the area generally do for several hours and might ‘do a runner’ better leisure and sports facilities. not offer recreational facilities for public Young people indicate that their peers’ instead of waiting to see a professional. use since school facilities are accessible to overall health levels are adversely impacted Respondents also raised a problem with “Just walk about and round the Water school pupils only. by drug use and mental health issues, consistency in healthcare services, where Works and hang about streets. I stopped such as depression. Young people identify patients often do not see the same health going to the youth club last year because Residents felt that poor public transport the use of alcohol as a major health issue professional and the health professional is nobody was going. Nothing else to do.” connections make it difficult for people affecting elderly residents in the area and therefore unfamiliar with their health issue on a low income to physically access suggest that social isolation also plays a role or health history. It was also highlighted, 44 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 45

there is a gap in healthcare services for THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Respondents indicated that poor walking fumes makes local residents susceptible to young adults when they are no longer and cycling facilities discourage residents the effects of air pollution. Speeding and eligible for children’s services and are Local residents acknowledged that the from walking, cycling or spending time joyriding occur regularly and often create moved on to adult registers. built environment can have a significant outdoors. They also perceive that a lack dangerous situations for pedestrians and impact on their health and wellbeing. This of public spaces and destinations such as cyclists. As a result, respondents indicated that local is reflected in the fact that environmental parks, playgrounds or coffee shops provide residents often prefer to go to local charity improvements and housing are often very limited incentives for local residents Young people indicate that they need organisations since they feel workers mentioned by questionnaire respondents to go out. Local green spaces such as the more sports facilities they can use at no within the charitable organisations listen as priorities for change. Residents also Marrowbone Park often feel unsafe due cost, as payment has to be made for the more carefully and are able to provide highlighted they felt that the quality of their to anti-social behaviour and therefore go only 3G pitch in the area. Local parks are good advice. Organisations such as the local built environment is poor. Less than largely unused. Focus groups participants not attractive to use during night-time due Lighthouse charity, Tackling Awareness one fifth of questionnaire respondents rate felt the area is designed for car use. People to the presence of drug users. of Mental Health Issues (TAMHI) and the look of the area as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. with mobility issues have difficulties Samaritans were mentioned as the most The quality of housing also appears to be moving around in the area due to poor “There is drinks and drugs in the Water useful services available in the area. perceived as good but there were concerns quality and limited width of pavements, Works. I am not allowed in after dark”. about older housing stock and private and often depend on the use of taxis for Respondents generally agreed that the landlord accommodation. their shopping and access to other facilities. Young people also report similar challenges first source of support people turn to in in relation to transport in the area. Some cases of mental health is family, and that Focus group participants identify the lack of Public transport services are generally young people use buses but highlight the it would be very beneficial to make more cleaning and maintenance of public realm; perceived to be infrequent and unreliable, poor state of bus shelters and the lack of information on how to access professional insufficient public transport provision; air particularly early in the morning, with timetable information. They also highlight services available to family members. pollution and insufficient street lighting waiting times of up to 20 minutes that black taxis offer a convenient and Despite the fact that family members often as the key environmental factors that have being reported. The lack of timetabling affordable way of getting around instead. play a crucial role in caring for people with the most negative impact on public health information and bus shelters at bus mental health issues, it was felt there is locally. Residents reported that some stops, particularly in the lower Oldpark Children also identified a lack of dedicated very little support for them as carers. This streets and entries and alleyways between and Cliftonville Road areas, makes it green and open spaces that allows them is a particularly pressing issue for those houses are not regularly cleaned. This is unattractive to wait for a bus. to play and socialise safely, with a degree who support family members who are sometimes due to parked cars blocking of independence. A lack of imaginative struggling with drug addiction and those access for Council cleaning machines. Bins “We don’t have bus shelters, you have to and accessible playgrounds for children who have had to deal with traumatic and recycling boxes are sometimes not stand in the rain and the cold waiting for often results in them playing in car- experiences such as a suicide in the family. collected for several weeks due to the same them.” dominated streets or abandoning active issue around access. Respondents also play altogether and staying indoors. “No support at all for carers living with reported that entries are often full of weeds Most residents do not use public transport this. [You] don’t like to tell anyone. Your and disposed drug needles. at all and have resorted to use private mind is constantly worrying. God forgive taxis or black (shared) taxis, which are COMMUNITY SAFETY me it was a relief when it happened” (son “You ought to see the druggie stuff around seen as a good replacement for public took his own life). the streets – even on a Sunday morning transport services. This might explain why Focus group participants indicate that local outside the parish centre you can see the questionnaire respondents generally rate residents are severely affected by low levels Young people identified very similar packets lying around.” the quality of transport in the area as of community safety and that this issue experiences. They also find it very positive. Residents also highlighted that seems to have become more prominent challenging to access professional help on The issues of dog fouling and illegal black taxis are often full since they start in over time. This is also reflected in the results mental health issues. Several young people dumping of waste were also highlighted the Ardoyne area. of the questionnaire that indicate that mention Lighthouse as a crucial resource as key environmental issues. Residents only 17% of respondents rate the safety of for seeking information on mental health highlighted that the poor level of street The main routes within the area are often the area as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Residents issues. Young people also indicate that in lighting combined with the presence of heavily congested during peak hours. The avoid certain areas such as Marrowbone recent years schools have started to provide derelict houses and land in some residential presence of seven schools along a 1.2-mile Park due to persistent anti-social behaviour, some information on mental health areas adds to the perception that the built stretch of the Cliftonville Road generates a particularly during the weekends and services to pupils. environment is poorly maintained. lot of car traffic during morning peak hours. night-time. Vandalism and joy-riding are The resulting concentration of exhaust highlighted as being the most visible 46 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 47

forms of anti-social behaviour, but the also generally agreed that the Police have better opportunities to engage in that provide skills to workers such as congregation of young people drinking or Service struggle to commit sufficient employment. They also highlighted the construction work and work in mills or taking drugs in the area also leads to fears resources to the area and that unwanted need for more out-of-school activities for factories have mostly left the area and for personal safety. behaviour often goes unchallenged. school-aged children, including summer therefore it is difficult for young adults Residents reported that the police often schemes and homework centres. It was to gain work experience. Apart from the “I am afraid of the young people on drink take a long time to respond. recognised that learning support networks Mater hospital, nursing homes, schools, and drugs – you don’t know what they can be particularly important for young local shops and solicitors there are very could do to you.” “There are PSNI cars which go up the road people and children living in deprived limited job opportunities for residents. at night but ignore the carry-on (shop- areas that could support them to achieve Perceived difficulties in accessing Focus group participants indicated they bought alcohol) of the young people.” good results in school or secure skilled employment opportunities outside the feel safe traversing the area during the employment. Limited access to appropriate local area can make it a challenge to find day but that they avoid walking in the Young people indicate that they are often support networks for young people may suitable employment. Many residents who area during night-time and use a car directly confronted with criminal activity also contribute to low levels of self-efficacy are employed rely on poorly paid and instead or stay at home. Elderly residents taking place in the area and do not feel amongst local young people, resulting repetitive work, often during inconvenient are particularly fearful of going out during safe as a result. The flaring up of cross in a negative cycle of school dropouts, hours, that does not provide them with a the night-time. The presence of derelict community tensions, particularly during unemployment, low self-esteem and poor decent quality of life. The insecure nature buildings and the fact that shops and the summer season increases vulnerability mental health. of unskilled employment contracts often offices generally close after 6pm make of all groups. Views of the Police Service denies people an income that they can rely the area look particularly run down in are mixed but it is generally acknowledged “There are no educational facilities for on. the evenings. Most participants indicated that the Police Service is not sufficiently adults around here.“ that they occasionally feel unsafe inside resourced to deal with crime in the area. “Years ago there was work on building their home as well, particularly because Focus groups participants also indicated sites, mills and factories; now very few of burglaries that take place. Some that local residents would benefit from opportunities. “ have wrought iron doors installed at the EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT training in life skills to acquire more bottom of the staircase in order to prevent meaningful forms of employment. There A number of ‘Universal Credit clinics’ trespassers from going upstairs. Burglaries The Sacred Heart Parish area contains seems to be a particular unmet demand organised by the Care Zone working group and other thefts seem to occur often and a variety of schools, including one post- for training around writing Curricula in partnership with North Belfast Advice most participants reported they have been primary school, five primary schools and Vitae. Residents feel that there are very Partnership to inform local residents about affected themselves or know people that two nurseries. However, since St Gemma’s limited opportunities for adults to access the new Universal Credit benefit system have been affected. Burglaries also happen High School on Ardilea Street was closed further education, particularly as the only has exposed the additional pressures faced during daylight. in 2013, most secondary school pupils now post-primary school where adult classes by those receiving benefits. One particular have to travel outside the area to access were provided has now closed. Although issue is the stress experienced by elderly “My next door neighbour’s wee girl was education. Results of the questionnaire some participants indicated that adult residents who often do not possess the upstairs – a man broke in with a knife.” indicate that local residents are generally classes may be available in various facilities appropriate internet skills to access the happy with the quality of educational outside the Sacred Heart Parish area, online claim system. Residents who do not The presence of organised crime groups facilities in the area. It was reported that knowledge about these opportunities have access to internet at home or who in the area that engage in drug dealing, the Mater Hospital is a major employer tends to be lacking amongst residents cannot afford modern technology such and the related intimidation of those for people in the local area and the and classes were cited as too expensive. as smartphone devices expressed similar they deem to obstruct their activities, Youth Education Health Advice (YEHA) Residents also acknowledged the concerns. The potential financial hardship were identified as factors that further project offers good opportunities for skills importance of intergenerational projects caused by delays in benefit payments increase fears over personal safety. Several development for younger adults. Focus for sharing knowledge and skills within the was another issue highlighted by many participants have personal experiences groups participants suggest that local community. residents. The introduction of the ‘bedroom of being intimidated and having family residents feel passionate about improving tax’ causes additional financial stress for members being assaulted. the lives of young people and children who “We have no local training facilities and many households on housing benefits. reside in the area. no one to help with CVs or give career The ‘Universal Credit clinics’ emphasised Focus group participants acknowledge information or guidance.“ the financial vulnerability of many local that the area is difficult to police due the Focus groups participants largely felt residents and the deep impact that the antagonistic stance among some local that there is a need for more nurseries Residents feel that local businesses offer cuts to social benefits have in terms of residents towards the Police Service. They and toddler groups so that mothers limited employment opportunities. Jobs mental well-being. 48 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 49

Young people are generally keen to policymakers and tend to accept the state develop their skills and enthusiastic about of affairs rather than attempting to affect making a positive contribution to their positive change. community. Young people, particularly young women, indicate that they feel there “We served for four years on an is a lack of role models in their lives that interagency group which met monthly. can inspire them to put in the extra effort We had been promised gates for our to achieve the best they can. court […] but they never got done. There was no point in going as nobody cared what we are suffering.” TRANSPARENCY AND DECISION MAKING Focus group participants also feel that Focus group participants acknowledge residents, particularly elderly people, are that government agencies and services not aware of opportunities to express their are crucial in helping to provide them concerns when consultation events are with a good quality of life. However, carried out by statutory agencies, as there they also feel some local services need is no central information point available increased investment and government where such consultation events are strategies have often failed to produce published. real change on the ground. The fractured responsibilities of public service provision Opaqueness about the mechanisms and a growth of short-term strategies that determine how public funding is limits the effectiveness of the current distributed among local community investment in the area. Residents indicate groups has led to low levels of social trust that expectations raised by government amongst local residents. Divisions within schemes are often not fulfilled. As a the perceived Nationalist and Unionist consequence, residents tend to feel that communities, as well as divisions between their concerns are being ignored by these communities, are perceived to be allowed to persist by the government departments. Some community organisations in the area conform to such divisions, and as a result, some community facilities and programmes do not appeal widely to residents

My time working with the Care Zone has been inspirational, since is it has given me justification to what I already knew: that people within the Care Zone are amazing and special. I am honoured to be able to call the passionate, caring and inspirational people I worked with friends.

(local resident) 50 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 51

MOVING FORWARD: RESOURCING THE CARE ZONE across statutory, voluntary and community organisations, as well as the local ACTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION Acknowledging the central role of the community. For example, responsibility for community in understanding the nature improvement of public health outcomes of the Care Zone area, it is equally among the residents of the Sacred Heart The Care Zone project was established more simply, the benefit of local people important to recognise that those who Parish area not only lies with public health as a community development model to grappling with local issues from their work to improve the lives of residents in agencies but also with a wide range of deliver on the Community Development perspective and understanding. the Care Zone face many challenges. In other service providers for whom public Agreement, following the Future Search particular, continued inter community strife health may not be the core responsibility. workshop, September 2016. Its aim was to The Care Zone model used to guide this combined with sectarian politics and the Research has consistently shown that the work with communities to empower them project has, most significantly, helped to fear of ‘stepping on toes’ has slowed the quality of the built environment and the to build capacity to access knowledge, support a sense of hope among residents process somewhat. In turn, this has tended level of access to education, employment, education and improve connectedness and in the area. The local community has to reinforce the apathy and scepticism of adequate housing and leisure facilities generate partnerships within the Care Zone emerged as the greatest asset the area has those who feel they have been let down in are major factors influencing health and area, the Sacred Heart Parish area of north and, by bringing people and organisations the past. well-being. It is therefore imperative that Belfast. together, residents recognise they are agencies work together to maximise the valued and a more positive outlook for Added to these particular historical and positive impact of the services they provide. Before considering how the work of this many has been created. The organisation social dynamics, many of those working ‘on project can be taken forward, it is both of regular community events has played a the ground’ do so on a voluntary basis or appropriate and necessary to reflect on the crucial role in achieving this. The training of as additional workload. The evidence and ACTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION fundamental aim of the Care Zone project Community Champions as representatives understanding gained through the work and the methodological approach taken to of the local community and the active of this project has emphasised that this The foregoing report, a product of pursuing this. role assigned to them in terms of skills circumstance does not deter those who are quantitative and qualitative analysis development and formulation of local determined to work towards developing along with detailed conversations and To this end, there are two key lessons that challenges is key to engaging with the the community assets that are essential engagement with the local community, has this project has identified: community. It is recognised that there for combatting suicide and poor mental identified some of the factors that have the will be a need to train future Community health. The energy and passion they have potential to contribute to the poor mental 1. The importance of involving the local Champions. demonstrated to achieve improvements health levels and high suicide rates in this community to both understand local in mental health and well-being, and by community. Having identified these factors, issues and propose local solutions; and While it is important to celebrate the extension, a reduction of the suicide rate it is possible then to look at potential 2. The need to adequately resource achievements and successes of the Care within this area, has been the driving solutions to both address and mitigate the Care Zone model and promote Zone project to date, it is also vital that force behind the success of the Care Zone them. interagency working. reflection takes place on the ongoing project to date. It is nevertheless vital to challenges to improving public health recognise the human impact this has Through discussions across the Care outcomes of the residents of the Sacred had on these volunteers and the limited Zone community a significant number TAKING A COMMUNITY Heart Parish area. The findings from the capacity in the area to further develop local of potential recommendations were DEVELOPMENT APPROACH community conversations and health initiatives. suggested. Of the 48 ideas agreed, profile have been used to inform how three were believed to have the greatest Rooted at the heart of the ambition to the health and well-being of local Sustained resourcing, in terms of potential for making a positive impact tackle the challenging and complex issue residents can be improved through better investment of time to understand the on local residents’ lives. These have been of improving health and well-being was service delivery. What the community particular context of the area, along with identified as the priority recommendations. the constant guiding role and involvement development approach has revealed is that financial support in order to sustain the of the local community. At the broadest it can only be through further consultation functionality and continued development level, a principal lesson from this project with the community that the action of the Care Zone is essential. PRIORITY ACTION ONE: has been the realisation of the benefit of needed to address the challenges raised MOBILE INFORMATION FACILITY the community model in trying to address can be identified, along with the agencies A significant learning from the work of the and find solutions to local issues; put and service providers. project during the course of the past three It was noted that a mobile facility where years across both forms of investment is the all members of the local community benefit of co-operative interagency working can access relevant information and 52 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 53

professional advice on issues that affect health or addiction issues, and their family LIVING IN THE AREA them in their daily lives would be members, to seek advice without going particularly beneficial. This facility would through a formal process first. To trial a mobile information hub which could be used in potentially include access to appropriate different areas of the Care Zone area on a rolling basis health services, navigation of the Universal The setting up of a residents’ committee to act as a taskforce for developing Credit system and access to employment. PRIORITY ACTION THREE: and promoting regular events to bring local residents together. Services that could be linked to this mobile FURTHER RESEARCH facility could be a ‘street doctor’, a ‘CV To investigate how existing facilities can be made available for community use. clinic’ and a Universal Credit help centre. While the Care Zone project has been very instrumental in identifying some of the factors that among local residents of the PRIORITY ACTION TWO: Sacred Heart Parish area it did not set out SOCIAL CONNECTIONS LOCAL ‘DROP IN’ CENTRE to test established research on causes of poor mental health and suicide. Therefore, A mobile ‘conversation café’ to be set up where all members of the local The development of a ‘Drop In’ centre was more research is needed to establish community feel safe and welcome. This café could operate on an honesty box believed to offer much needed support whether the findings contained in this model to allow visitors to make additional financial voluntary contributions. to the local residents. Through this centre, report can be used to expand the current Sessions to be established in community facilities that allow (elderly) health professionals and youth workers understanding of the causes of poor residents to come together for activities of common interest. specialised in mental health and addiction mental health and suicide. can be easily accessed by local residents. Strategically placed groups of weatherproof ‘talking benches’ Such a centre would allow residents to that allow residents to meet and chat in public spaces. obtain help discreetly and anonymously COMPLETE LIST OF ACTIONS and at a time which suits them. It is FOR CONSIDERATIONS Centrally placed physical information board where local anticipated that such a facility could events and activities can be published. relieve the frontline health services while As noted above, these priority A Care Zone newsletter celebrating local residents also allowing people experiencing mental recommendations form part of a broader and promoting local events and activities. list of 48 recommendations agreed by the local community, considered throughout Outdoor gyms for a range of age groups to be located the course of the project. Each is identified in St Gemma’s grounds and local parks. below under the thematic areas through which the community conversations were conducted: SUPPORT TO ACCESS HEALTH AND WELL-BEING SERVICES

Explore the use of school facilities for a range of activities in after school hours.

The deployment of a team of community champions that can serve as a source for in-depth knowledge on health services and other programmes and activities available in the local area.

We are honoured to have worked alongside The employment of a mobile health advice centre, consider a ‘street doctor’ model. the passionate and dedicated people involved The setting up of a programme of health promotion in the Care Zone and are proud to events in local schools and with local groups.

have been able to contribute to the vital work The extension of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) model to the area being done by the Care Zone in fostering a Increased financial support for transport to health service facilities sense of care and hope for the community.

(Conor McCafferty, PLACE) 54 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 55

SUPPORT TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES COMMUNITY SAFETY

The development and promotion of an easily understandable Work with Policing and Community Safety Partnerships to identify ways roadmap to access mental health and addiction services. for making the Police Service more embedded within the community.

Appointment of a ‘parish nurse’ who can visit families to support them to A mapping exercise of derelict buildings and land to explore how to reuse. address mental health or addiction issues among family members. Organise events that populate parks in the evening. Provision of a drop-in centre for mental health and addiction issues. CCTV and lighting in the park to discourage anti-social behaviour taking place during the evenings and to encourage residents to walk, run and so on

Stricter enforcement of alcohol licensing laws. THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Setting up of a collection scheme for unused prescription Provision of a range of public and private housing that drugs and for the safe collection of used drug needles. meets the needs of people as they grow older.

Public realm programme that includes street benches, bins, street lighting and increased cleansing EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT Piloting of alternative travel to school arrangements including walking buses. Increased access to facilities and nurseries for toddlers Improved parking strategy to allow access to entries and alleyways. Provision of facilities where children can borrow toys and school books Street/pavement play equipment for children’s play areas Employ local teachers to provide GCSE and other courses for adults, Increased traffic calming measures to discourage speeding and joyriding using existing school facilities during and after regular school hours

Increased activities in parks for children and young Provision of facility for residents to acquire IT skills people and intergenerational activities Explore the provision of further education facilities in liaison More pedestrian crossings on Oldpark and Cliftonville Roads with Ulster University and Belfast Metropolitan College

Improved pedestrian link between Water Works park and Marrowbone park Provision of homework clubs and Summer schemes for children or young people

The provision of bus shelters and timetables Explore provision of skills based training for growing industries such as hospitality.

A community transport scheme for elderly residents Application of social clause for public construction projects that allows local youth to be hired as apprentices. Incentives for local groups of residents to upkeep and improve local area. Local support to complete CVs and job applications Planting of street trees and green walls to counteract air pollution, particularly around schools. Introduction of an accessible Universal Credit service point

TRANSPARENCY AND DECISION MAKING

Introduction of a participatory budgeting process that would allow input from local residents on priorities for investment in the area 56 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 57

These actions for consideration are In order to effectively deliver positive and intended to start a discussion among sustainable change, it is important to take local residents, service providers and a co-operative and interagency approach policymakers about the best actions that in taking forward these actions. To this Private / Local can be taken forward in the future. It is end then, the table below identifies the Central Voluntary / Action Public Government Community anticipated that action on a range of these opportunities for such partnership working Agency will alleviate some of the issues raised by and the relevant sectors that are best sector residents of the Sacred Heart Parish area. placed to take forward elements of these Outdoors gyms for a range of age groups to be actions. X X located in St Gemma’s grounds and local parks.

Explore the use of school facilities for a range of X X activities in after school hours.

The deployment of a team of community champions Private / Local that can serve as a source for in-depth knowledge on Central Voluntary / X X Action Public health services and other programmes and activities Government Community Agency available in the local area. sector

The employment of a mobile health advice centre, i.e. To trial a mobile information hub which could be X X X X a ‘street doctor’. used in different areas of parish on a rolling basis

The setting up of a programme of health promotion The setting up of a residents committee that acts as X X X events in local schools and with local groups. a taskforce for developing and promoting a recurring X series of events that bring local residents together. The extension of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) X X X model to the area To investigate how existing facilities can be made X X X available for community use Increased financial support for transport to health X X service facilities A mobile ‘conversation café’ where all members of the local community feel safe and welcome to go to. This café could operate an honesty box X X The development and promotion of an easily model to allow visitors to make financial voluntary understandable roadmap for accessing mental X X X contributions. health and addiction services.

Sessions to be established in community facilities Appointment of a ‘parish nurse’ who can visit that allow (elderly) residents to come together in X X families to support them to address mental health or X X activities of common interest. addiction issues among family members.

Strategically placed groups of weatherproof ‘talking Provision of a drop-in centre for mental health and X X benches’ that allow residents to meet and chat in X X addiction issues. public spaces.

Provision of a range of public and private housing X X Centrally placed physical information board where that meet the needs people as they grow older. X X local events and activities can be published.

Public realm programme that includes street A Care Zone newsletter celebrating local residents benches, bins, street lighting and increased X X X X and promoting local events and activities. cleansing. 58 Care Zone Report Care Zone Report 59

Private / Private / Local Local Central Voluntary / Central Voluntary / Action Public Action Public Government Community Government Community Agency Agency sector sector

Piloting of alternative travel to school arrangements Stricter enforcement of alcohol licensing laws. X X X X including walking buses.

Setting up of a collection scheme for unused Improved parking strategy to allow access to entries prescription drugs and for the safe collection of used X X X X X and alleyways. drug needles.

Street/pavement play equipment for children play Increased access to facilities and nurseries for X X X X X areas toddlers

Increased traffic calming measures to discourage Provision of facility where children can borrow toys X X X X speeding and joyriding and school books

Increased activities in parks for children and young Employ local teachers to provide GCSE and other X X people and intergenerational activities courses for adults, using existing school facilities X X X during and after regular school hours.

More pedestrian crossings on Oldpark and Cliftonville X Roads Provision of facility for residents to acquire IT skills X X X

Improved pedestrian link between Water Works park Explore the provision of further education facilities in X X X and Marrowbone park liaison with Ulster University and Belfast Metropolitan X X X College

The provision of bus shelters and timetables X Provision of homework clubs and summer schemes X X for children or young people A community transport scheme for elderly residents X X

Explore provision of skills based training for growing Incentivised local groups of residents to upkeep and X X X X industries such as hospitality. improve local area.

Application of social clause for public construction Planting of street trees and green walls to counteract X X projects that allows local youth to be hired as X X air pollution, particularly around schools. apprentices.

Work with Policing and Community Safety Local support to complete CVs and job applications X X Partnerships to identify ways for making the Police X X X Service more embedded within the community. Introduction of an accessible Universal Credit service X X point A mapping exercise of derelict buildings and land to X X X explore how to reuse. Introduction of a participatory budgeting process that would allow input from local residents on X X X Organise events that populate parks in the evening. X X priorities for investment in the area

CCTV and lighting in the park would discourage anti- social behaviour taking place during the evenings X X and to encourage residents to walk, run and so on. 60 Care Zone Report

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Given the fragmented nature of Northern Ireland government responsibilities, it will be The Care Zone group envisages a number demanding to address the multidimensional of co-production workshops that allow challenges that impact on the health and local residents to work in partnership with well-being of local residents. Government relevant service providers to shape the organisations as well as stakeholders from planning and delivery of new and existing other sectors that need to be involved in the services. Working with, rather than doing continued efforts to address deficiencies in to, people and communities often leads to the quality of life experiences by residents of more targeted and efficient outcomes. Co- the Sacred Heart Parish area include: production builds on participants’ existing capabilities and can help to break down • Belfast City Council the barriers between people who use • Belfast Health and Social Care Trust services and the professionals that provide • Belfast Metropolitan College them. In moving forward, it is key that the • Department for Infrastructure Care Zone partners continue to pursue a • Department for Communities cross-departmental approach and that • Department of Health resources are identified and committed to • Education Authority in order to be able to implement efficient • Northern Ireland Housing Executive interventions in the future. It also has to be • Police Service Northern Ireland acknowledged that positive changes will • Public Health Agency take time to materialise and that a long • Ulster University term community development approach • Various education sector councils has to be supported in order to achieve • Various Housing Associations improved public health outcomes. • Voluntary & community sector organisations

Another way for effecting action is to work with local politicians to advocate the appropriate government departments and agencies to address local concerns. The role of political representatives is to represent their electorate’s views and priorities and influence the policymaking process accordingly. They can therefore be held accountable for the quality of local services.

The work that this project has undertaken over the past three years has made an important and significant impact on the Sacred Heart Parish community. As the list of possible actions illustrates, this is only the start of the process. This report is not the end of our work, but only a staging post along the journey. The Care Zone Working Group and the local community is ready and committed to the challenges of this work that await and look forward to reaping its rewards. Scared Heart Parish Lighthouse 187-189 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast County Antrim BT15 2GF

T: 028 9075 5070 E: [email protected] W: www.lighthousecharity.com