Summer Fun in Carrickfergus

You go girls!

The Windmill and Minorca Drive Residents Association in Partnership with The Ethnic Forum (MEA) and Supporting Communities celebrated their community by hosting a family event which included Bollywood dancers, a drum circle, salsa dancing, children’s entertainment, BBQ and much, much more.

Jim Wightman from Windmill and Minorca Drive Residents association told us, “In recent years we have seen an increase in residents coming from various ethnic backgrounds. This year we wanted to celebrate diversity by hosting a welcome to the community event.  Gillian Forrest, our Liaison Officer from Supporting Communities, helped us to apply to the Housing Executive (BRIC fund) and Mid and East Antrim Council for funding to facilitate this event. Gillian also introduced us to Ivy Goddard from the Inter-Ethnic Minority Forum who helped us to organise the event and explore cultural diversity”.

Jim continued, “As a community group we have really welcomed this opportunity to talk to our neighbours and identify the needs in our area, with the aim to make our community a better, more welcoming place to live. We also want to thank everyone who attended and the artists who made it such a brilliant day.”

Ivy Goddard said, “The Inter-Ethnic Forum (Mid & East Antrim) is delighted to be involved in this project and we hope that it is the first of many in Carrickfergus.”

Gillian Forrest from Supporting Communities added, “It has been a real pleasure to support this project and to see so many people engaging with each other. Supporting Communities have been working alongside the Windmill and Minorca Drive Residents Association for many years providing training, support and advice. I am really proud to support this event and it is evident that Community Spirit is very much alive in the people from Carrickfergus.”