Case Studies
Church Hill and District Community Development Association


Mar 12, 2007 - 2:58:04 PM

Background and Rationale

The small village of Church Hill is located some 11 miles from Enniskillen town and is situated off the A46 road to County Donegal in North-West Fermanagh. As a result of the opening of the A46 road Churchill has witnessed a decline in the area and its community, which has been compounded by the changes which have been taking place throughout the rural community over the last number of years.

It was in response to the pressing social and economic changes taking place within their community that the Churchill Community Association was established in October 1998. The group was formed following the holding of two public meetings within the community which were initiated by concerned members of the local community who were interested in doing something to stem the flow of change that was threatening a rural village way of life.

At the early meetings when the group was very much in the embryonic stages of development, much concern was focused on the decline of the younger population within the area, surviving within an increasingly difficult farming industry, a need to expand and diversify existing businesses within the Church Hill area and many more. Many projects were proposed such as developing a Centre or community building for the community to meet, organic farming and school bus shelters to be erected, etc.

A Committee of 21 members was elected along with a core committee and four sub-committees: Agriculture, Amenities, Tourism and Youth. Each Sub-Committee consisted of a Chairperson along with three other members. At a later stage two further groups developed, the Women’s group and the Historical Society. Funding was obtained from various sources such as the Fermanagh Trust, Rural Community Network (N.I.), Fermanagh District Council and the Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau.

After a while, and having discussed how to proceed as a group, the then formed Church Hill and District Community Development Association decided to approach the Fermanagh District Council and the Fermanagh Trust for advice and support. It was at this point the group became aware of the Fermanagh Trusts Community and Voluntary Group Mentoring Programme.

Impacts of the Mentoring Support

The Church Hill and District Development Association believe that as a result of the mentoring support interventions, the Association and its Sub-Committees have been enabled and supported in carrying out the following key work:

Community Audit has been conducted.

The Agricultural Committee has looked at forestry and organic farming along with a cross-border initiative with a group in Co. Leitrim.

Farming information evenings and trips have been held. Cross-breeding funding for farmers has been secured.

The Amenities Committee has erected flowerbeds, seats and a bus shelter in the area. The telephone box has also being painted. During the Summer of 1999 the Big Telly Theatre Company, Coleraine visited the area and a firework display took place in October 1999.

The Tourism Committee established the Ladies Walking Group. Leaflets and tourism walks were developed and a tourism cross-border networking visit to Church Hill in County Donegal was carried out. In addition, two new fishing stands with a jetty have been erected by the Rivers Agency.

The Historical Society arranged talks on Tully Castle, the local people, their childhood and life through to the present day.

The Youth Group formed the Young Farmer’s Club. Numerous activities have taken place such as tug-of-war, canoeing, treasure hunt and many more. Furthermore a newsletter has been developed named ‘C-hill Connections’. The group see this as an excellent method of communication for the community to include many areas of interest.

The Women’s Group developed a quilting group, which produced a large quilting frame.

Other activities included a Summer children’s events, Summer barbeque, Photographic and Art Exhibition, computer classes, keep fit classes, a week of cross-community events through the Millennium Concert between Church Hill and Derrygonnelly communities.

When asked to what extent the Group felt the mentoring support had enabled them to achieve such a growth in the range and variety of activities within their community, one member of the group stated, “the group would have worked towards them anyhow but it would have been a very slow process, the Mentor kept the Group focused”

Reflecting on the impacts made on the group as a result of the Fermanagh Trust mentoring support, it was suggested that the group became more focused in their objectives and worked well as a team. “One thing we have learnt is to involve everyone and to keep the projects small to start with. This is an excellent piece of advice for any group starting out”. It was also noted that the group fully enjoyed their progress and successes as a team and as a community throughout the mentoring support. For many members it was their first time undertaking secretary and chairperson roles. One member outlined, “It was our first time doing this kind of work, you learn by doing it and seeking help”. In addition the group became more aware of the varied beliefs and interests among the people within their community. Therefore all sections of the community were considered and catered for when identifying and organizing community activities.

The support given by the Fermanagh Trust through the Community and Voluntary Group Mentoring Programme has played a significant part in helping the Church Hill and District Community Association to develop and manage projects and programmes that have revamped the quality of life for the Church Hill community in many ways. Training needs were catered for and offered locally such as computer classes. Indeed, the new events have provided a social outlet for many members of the community, which were not in place prior to the development of the Association and its participation on the Mentoring programme. The newsletter is not just a piece of identity for the youth group but is an excellent method of communication, displaying the work of the Association on a regular basis.

On specific piece of work which the Mentor helped the group develop was a week of cross-community events which brought together two neighbouring communities, Church Hill and Derrygonnelly. Prior to the week of activities, the level of intercommunity contact and understanding was minimal. The activities included a Millennium concert. “This event increased our understanding of each of our communities identity through our cultural music, song and dance…. Prior to the concert, people from both communities would meet on the street and say ‘hello’ but after the concert they had more to say to each other. There was a reason to talk”.

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