The Victims and Survivors Service in Northern Ireland has officially launched the EU PEACE IV funded programme, Shared Spaces and Services – Victims and Survivors 2017-21.
This is a project supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The aim of the programme is to improve the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors and will target hard to reach and marginalised individuals and communities that have suffered as a result of the Troubles/Conflict.
Since the programme commenced, VSS has developed a network of health and well-being caseworkers and advocacy support workers based within our community and voluntary partners across the region, who support victims in their local communities and deliver services and support where it is needed.
The VSS previously opened a call for applications under the Victim Support Programme and PEACE IV in November 2016. 55 organisations were successful in securing funding and this allowed for the establishment of a network of Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers and an Advocacy Support Programme in addition to the development of a number of new and innovative resilience initiatives.
Chief Executive of the VSS, Margaret Bateson said:
“We are pleased to formally launch the PEACE IV Shared Spaces - Victims and Survivors programme today. The programme has been underway since 2017 and already a significant amount of work has been undertaken to adopt a new and innovative needs-based approach to delivering bespoke services that support the unique and individual needs of victims and survivors.
“The new programme will look at how victims and survivors can be supported through a range of services, with a specific focus on improving health and well-being.
“We know we still have lots to do but we are already seeing early indications that this new approach is working, and we are seeing some real changes to the lives of victims and survivors.
“We encourage those who need support to come forward and contact us on 02890 279100 or one of our community partners http://www.victimsservice.org/find-support-in-your-area/..”
Speaking at the event Gina McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB, said:
“The PEACE Programme since its inception in 1995, has provided support to the victims and survivors of the troubles and conflict. This has been an integral part of each PEACE programme and is reflective of a genuine desire to fund the important work required to help alleviate the suffering caused to citizens in this region.
“The support that has been provided under the current PEACE IV Programme recognises that victims and survivors are an extremely diverse group with very unique and complex needs. This funding support being announced today will be used to develop a number of important new services that will improve their health and well-being including a resilience building and advocacy support programme,” she continued.