Executive Summary |

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (from Links Business Plan 2010-2013)

ECF Links Limited (Links) was established as a registered charity and company limited by guarantee in 2005. It is a community-based organisation which has been set up to address the lack of provision within elements of community life in Lurgan and Craigavon, areas characterised by pockets of deprivation, high unemployment, family breakdown, paramilitary violence and fragmentation and division between communities.

Though an independent organisation, Links was established by Emmanuel Church to further develop and expand its community support provision within the Lurgan/Craigavon area.

Emmanuel Church has been operating in the local area for around 12 years and is highly regarded throughout the local community. Links has benefited from the stable foundation created by Emmanuel Church e.g. the Church's track record, partnership working, its community acceptance and is successful fundraising strategies, to develop a range of programmes which will empower individuals and enable them to make positive life choices. Though Links is Christian in ethos, the programmes, activities and services operated by Links are open to people of all faiths or none.

Links operates from its own dedicated premises which are located under Heaton's at Castle Lane, in the centre of Lurgan. The building (930 m2) is known as the Underground.

This large facility is ideally placed in a central and neutral location and is utilised for the development of three key areas of service provision:

• Community Counselling
• Youth Provision
• Community Resource

Strategically, Link's aims are in line with local, regional, national and European government initiatives for building the social economy, tackling social exclusion and targeting social need and deprivation.

Market research undertaken by Links in the form of desk research, a mapping exercise and a series of stakeholder consultations highlighted the following needs and gaps in provision which Links will endeavour to meet:

• The need for innovative work which is needs-led and people-centred.
• The need for projects targeting marginalized and vulnerable people and dealing with key issues faced by people in the area: drugs and alcohol, family breakdown, apathy and self-esteem issues, anti-social and risk-taking behaviour etc.
• Community services in a neutral, accessible location.

In addition to fulfilling Links social objectives, the Underground will contribute to the economic growth of the area and Links long-term sustainability by generating an annual income; delivering the following services will generate this income:

• Hire of training facilities and training/seminar rooms
• Sub-letting office space to one or more organisations
• Counselling receipts
• Membership fees

The Underground was completed 21st January 2009; this construction was split into two phases:

Phase 1 was completed December 2006 at a cost of £90,000 (funded by Links fundraising, gifts and donations); Phase 1 includes the following:

• Well presented entrance to the underground
• Attractive foyer and reception area
• Toilet block with male/female and separate disabled access
• One large meeting room (Conference Room) (63 m2)

Phase 2 was completed 21st January 2009 at a cost of £530,000 (funded mainly by the Department for Social Development and donations from other Trusts and Foundations); Phase 2 includes the following:

• 'the Hub': a large multi-functional drop-in area (245 m2) including kitchen and soft-seated area, fitted with staging and lighting for a range of different events
• Creative arts room: a large room (86 m2) available for Dance/fitness classes and other recreational activities
• Training/Board room: a computer suite (41 m2) suitable for educational programmes and conference activities
• 6 offices: suitable for use as office space and or counselling sessions
• Disabled toilet, cleaners store and large storage area (54 m2)

Links has a fundraising strategy in place and is submitting applications to funding bodies and charitable trusts and building independent funding streams with the aim of securing the revenue funds needed for years 1, 2 and 3.

Given the conclusions of the market research, the experience and skill base of the voluntary management board and the successful track record of the team involved in getting the various projects up and running, Links presents itself as a viable and sustainable business proposition.

• Summer Intervention programme, group away to Londonderry/Derry
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• Happy new year to all staff and everyone we work with!