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
Rural Micro Grants 2021
The Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme 2021 is NOW OPEN! Opens for applications from Friday 01 October and closes at 12noon on Friday 22 October 2021. This Scheme is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Tackling Rural Poverty and...
Network News September 2021
Welcome to September's edition of our newsletter. This month includes information on: Restart and reconnect your community training programme CDRCN movement & art projects Foraging project @ Glebe House Helplines and support lines Mental health awareness...
Network Notes August 2021
We’re delighted to share the August 2021 edition of the Network Notes. In this month’s edition you can find information on: Rural Policy Framework for NI consultation New walking group in Downpatrick area Decoupage, Chi Me and Herb Planting sessions Dementia...
Restart and Reconnect your community – FREE Training Programme
Peace IV Health & Safety Capacity Building programme 2021 Restart and Reconnect your community - FREE Training Programme for community groups across Newry, Mourne and Down A great opportunity to get your training up-to-date, post-Covid 19, to enable you to...
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
