LoveBelfast
December 15, 2020
Whilst welcoming the announcement of a Covid-19 support package, a Group of Outdoor Learning and Residential Centres in Northern Ireland who partner with the Education Authority (EA) to cater for more than 45000 children and young people annually have urged the Northern Ireland Assembly to fast-track the release of emergency COVID-19 funding – or run the risk of the sector being decimated.
The Group which includes centres run by YMCA, GirlGuiding Ulster, The Share Discovery Village, Boys Brigade and Scouts, has welcomed the announcement by the Finance Minister of a £1m emergency aid package for Outdoor Learning and Residential Centres which is a vital lifeline to enable the continuation of this work but a spokesman warned today: “We acknowledge the support of the Department of Education in identifying the value of this work but unless the cash is made available within weeks, centres will be unable to plan for the future and thi