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
Energy Efficient Venues
“Energy Efficient Venues” grant is available for your community and voluntary organisation to help improve the energy efficiency of your existing community venue. - Grants of up to £60,000 are available under this Big Lottery Fund scheme. - Applicable works include:...
Our Children … Their Education
East Down Rural Community Network in partnership with Integrated Education Fund and Rural Community Network is holding an event to discuss the challenges and opportunities for our schools and communities in Down District Council area. On Thursday, 26th January 2012 at...
Shared past / Shared future
Talbot House in Ballyhalbert was the venue for the United Ulster History Forum’s Shared Past/Shared Future exhibition which was held from Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th November. This exhibition was held as part of the Peninsula Shared History Project which is about...
Co-operation Ireland All-Island Pride of Place – Special Award Winners
EDRCN are pleased to announce we received a special award at the Co-operation Ireland Pride Of Place Awards 2011 held in Gorey Co. Wexford on November 5th 2011. We would like to thank Down District Council Chief Executive John Dumigan, and Damien Brannigan, Community...
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
