RESTART- Latest News

Patricia and Edgar from Clones Family Resource Centre recently visited the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Community Connect Hub. Edgar has recently taken up the role of Social Inclusion Officer for the RESTART project, where he will lead on delivering integration and cohesion initiatives to support new communities as they build new lives in the border communities of Clones, Belturbet and Newtownbutler. His role also involves exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

During the visit, Patricia and Edgar experienced first-hand how the Community Connect Hub provides a welcoming drop-in environment where people can connect with their local community, access essential services and build new relationships. Edgar was particularly interested in meeting the range of statutory and community organisations that offer information, advice and signposting on issues such as housing, health, employment, benefits and wider community support.

The visit highlights RESTART’s commitment to working collaboratively with existing services and organisations to strengthen support for local communities. By learning from established initiatives such as the Community Connect Hub, the project is identifying opportunities to build partnerships, share good practice and enhance the delivery of services across the border region.

The RESTART Project Board held its inaugural meeting in Belturbet on 24 June. Comprised of representatives from the six Project Partners, SEUPB and the accountable departments, the Board is responsible for providing strategic oversight of project delivery, monitoring progress against agreed objectives and ensuring the effective governance and successful implementation of the project. The Board will meet quarterly for the duration of the project.

The Board is supported by two working groups – capital and programme that will assume a more operational role in overseeing the delivery of the seven work packages. The Capital Working Group provides technical oversight, monitors

progress, manages risk and makes recommendations to the Project Board to ensure the capital element is delivered on time, within budget and is compliant with funder and other regulatory requirements.

The Programme Working Group oversees and supports the planning, development and delivery of the suite of community programmes to be delivered across Newtownbutler, Clones and Belturbet.  It ensures that programme delivery aligns with the approved funding application, meets agreed targets, outcomes and indicators, complies with PEACEPLUS requirements and delivers measurable peacebuilding impact.

In addition to conducting the business of the meeting, Board members were given a tour of the vacant building on Belturbet Main Street that will be transformed into a Community Hub. Once redeveloped, the facility will provide a welcoming and accessible space for the delivery of community services, together with meeting rooms and flexible event space to support a wide range of community activities.

RF Associates has been appointed to undertake the external evaluation of RESTART and will provide an independent assessment of the project’s effectiveness, impact and overall performance against its objectives. The evaluation will measure the extent to which the project has achieved its intended outcomes, identify examples of good practice and lessons learned, assess the value and sustainability of interventions delivered, and demonstrate the project’s contribution to PEACEPLUS objectives. The findings will inform future programme development and support accountability to stakeholders and funders.

In addition to quarterly dashboard reports providing a high-level overview of activity delivery and performance against targets, an interim evaluation report will assess progress to date, identify emerging impacts, collaboration opportunities and areas for improvement, and highlight any opportunities to secure additional funding to maximise project outcomes during the remaining delivery period.

The final evaluation report will assess the overall success of RESTART in achieving its objectives and delivering lasting social, economic and community benefits. It will evaluate effectiveness, efficiency, compliance and value for money, identify achievements, additional benefits, challenges and lessons learned, review the implementation of recommendations arising from the interim evaluation, and provide recommendations to support the sustainability of outcomes and inform future initiatives.