Our History
North Down Community Network exists to help people to help themselves. Our vision is that communities in Bangor and the wider North Down area should be safe, peaceful, diverse, inclusive, flourishing and economically vibrant – thus making the area one in which people want to live.
To do this, we act as a focal point for the community and for community and voluntary sector organisations in North Down.
We deliver a wide range of regular services, we react where we can when asked for help, and we proactively try to identify issues where we think we can make a difference.
We presently have 140 member groups, including local Community Associations, members from the Community and Voluntary Sector, and also faith-based groups.
NDCN became a limited company and a registered charity in 2003 – our NI Charity Registration Number is NIC 102333.
Our registered office address is 5 Castle Park Road, Bangor, County Down, in our own Resource Centre (in the grounds of the South Eastern Regional College); and we also have our Community Hub in Bangor’s Flagship on Main Street in Bangor.
Our Activities
NDCN engages in a range of regular projects and activities, including the following:
Community Development – we develop structures at a local level to empower new and existing community groups. We help with Charity Commission registration, Access NI checks, good governance, and with funding and sustainability options.
Capacity Building / Skills Training – assisting local groups to increase their skill base and develop strong, confident communities through community-based learning.
Health Promotion – we provide a series of programmes for local communities aimed at improving health and emotional wellbeing, from sewing to singing, art to creative writing - there’s something for everyone.
Collaboration & Good Relations – we develop joint initiatives between communities and groups to build genuine and trusting relationships to do good things for people and their communities.
Networking & Good Practice Exchange – we bring local communities together and provide opportunities to network, build working relationships, share good practice and provide information on relevant topics to the community, voluntary and statutory sectors.
Marketing & promotion – we provide an essential service in the dissemination information via NDCN’s fortnightly ezines, website, Facebook and Twitter.
Signposting and Support - via phone, email, and people calling in to our Wellbeing Centre. We signpost people onto help, support, and services based on their needs.
Sharing Space – we provide meeting space and venues for member groups and community partners to hold meetings, events, to run training and host larger events.