Ardoyne Association, has been in existence for 30 years. Trained staff operate a busy Welfare Rights and Housing Advice Centre. People are helped in matters ranging from grant/allowance claims and housing matters to pension and passport issues. The Association staff write letters on behalf of their clients and carry out home visits when requested to give help and advice to the elderly and infirm. Over the years it has organized various Conferences to address concerns in the area of drugs, education, domestic violence and the tackling of anti-social behaviour.

Currently the Association is co-ordinating an Education Taskforce which it set-up to look at the future shape of Education in North Belfast. The Taskforce comprises members of the local community, 4 local School Principals, local clergy, consultants Goldblatt McGuigan and the University of Ulster.

The Alleygating Project to counteract anti-social behaviour is proving positive as the Assocation, Ardoyne Safer Neighbourhood Project and the PSNI have pulled their resources together. The Association is working with the Community Safety Partnership through the PSNI to try to secure more funding to roll out the Alleygate Project across the whole Ardoyne area.

The Association is represented on the Crumlin Ardoyne Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, an initiative of the Department for Social Development. Its representation includes government departments, the business sector and local community organisations. It is also represented on the Ardoyne Marrowbone Community Empowerment Partnership – a capacity building project employing 5 people from detached youth workers to a financial administrator.

The Association has facilitated counselling services and voluntarily manned a 24 hour helpline during a period of crisis involving young teenagers.

At present there is a data base of 115 elected street representatives who continue to serve the community and show great dedication to their work.

In June the Association’s Re-imaging Art Project, funded by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, was completed and the finished Artwork was launched by President Mary McAleese.