County Down Rural Community Network
Helping Communities Help ThemselvesWelcome to CDRCN. The network is a voluntary umbrella body set up and managed by community groups in County Down. We are committed to an inclusive future where all citizens actively participate in local life, helping each other to create a healthy, peaceful, vibrant & sustainable society.
News & Events
Training, Events, Funding and more
Micro grant extension
Rural Capital Microgrant Scheme 2022 has been formally extended by Minister to new closing date - 14 OCTOBER 12PM The new link to use to access the system is https://digitalapps2.daera-ni.gov.uk/RMCGS/ See User Guide on how to access the system with the...
Social Farming Awareness week 2022
Social Farming is an innovative use of agriculture to promote therapy, rehabilitation, social inclusion, education and social services in rural areas. Social Farming Awareness week will take place from Monday 3rd October to Friday 7th October 2022, with the...
The Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme 2022 is NOW OPEN!
DAERA Rural Micro Grants are open for applications NOW Closes at 12noon on Friday 30 September 2022 Micro Capital grants between £200 and £1,500 are available to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling issues of local poverty and / or social...
Funding opportunities June 2022
Click Funding ezine June 2022 to see latest funding opportunities for your community projects! Information including: Ulster Scots Small Events Grants 2022 Woodward Charitable Trust – General Grants Newry, Mourne and Down District Council - Financial Assistance Call 3...
Rural Community Development
Building & maintaining community infrastructure and developing community capacity
Rural Community Development
We provide a comprehensive community development service to member groups helping to improve their quality of life.
Health Development
Local communities benefit from our dedicated Community Health Development Teams across Down District and the Ards Peninsula.
Neighbourhood Renewal
We deliver a range of targeted health and wellbeing and community initiatives to hard to reach groups within Downpatrick NR area.
Social Prescribing
A community approach to health and wellbeing
What is Social Prescribing?
- The provision of non-medical services in the voluntary and community sector
- The creation and maintenance of referral processes and pathways that enable GPs and other health practitioners to make referrals into such services for individual patients
- Social prescribing takes a community approach to health and wellbeing rather than looking for a pill to cure all ills.
What is SPRING?
“SPRING” social prescribing helps people 18+ to address social, emotional and practical needs by connecting them to sources of support within their community to improve their own health and wellbeing.
SPRING is a brand new National Lottery funded Social Prescribing project organised by the Healthy Living Centre Alliance (HLCA) & Scottish Communities for Health and Wellbeing. It has been funded for 3 years initially with extension to 5 depending on outcomes.
Ballymote Centre
For community and business
CDRCN has managed the Ballymote Centre for over 18 years under a management agreement with the Ballymote Board of Directors. Ballymote Community Project Ltd (BCPL) is one of the most successful social economy projects in Northern Ireland.
Contact CDRCN
Main Office
Ballymote Centre
40 Killough Road
Downpatrick
BT30 6PY
T: 028 4461 2311
Ards Office
Ards Network Centre
43-45 Frances Street
Newtownards
BT23 7DX
T: 028 9182 8884
South Down Office
Altnaveigh House
51 Downshire Road
Newry
BT34 1EE
T: 028 4461 2311
South Armagh Office
Crossmaglen Community Centre
Cardinal O’fiaich Square
Crossmaglen
BT35 9AA
T: 028 4461 2311
CDRCN is funded by