The sun came out last Friday to shine on celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of European Neighbours Day. Clúid Housing Association worked with local residents to arrange community celebrations on housing estates in Dublin, Carlow and Portlaoise.
The European Neighbours’ Day initiative, originally set up in Paris in 2000, aims to foster community cohesion and create better neighbourhoods where people enjoy living. It was celebrated across Europe by over 9 million people on Friday 28th May 2010. This year, there were over 1,200 partners (local councils, housing associations and local organisations) in more than 30 participating countries.
In the spirit of neighbourliness residents of three Clúid developments; Kilcross Square in Ticknock Hill and, The Belfry and Belarmine Hall both in Stepaside, held a celebration in the grounds of The Belfry, Parkview, Stepaside. Along with the residents of Hail and Sonas housing associations Clúid residents invited the local community to join them in the festivities.
A fantastic day was had by all with the children being entertained by face painters, bouncy castles, sack racing, a dancing competition, running races, and a football competition. Each competition had prizes and many children went home winners having thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon in the sun.
The residents from Tommy Murphy Park in Carlow held a Community Barbeque and Fun Day to celebrate European Neighbours Day. Residents from all three parts of the estate of nearly 100 homes came together to chat and share food whilst the children had fun on the bouncy castles and having their faces painted, making balloon shapes and dancing with Wibbly Wobbly the clown.
In Portlaoise the residents of the three estates of Colliers View, Colliers Wood and Colliers Court came together with the adults having a coffee morning and then later the children helping to plant shrubs and climbing plants to improve the physical environment within these new communities and then sharing in some beautiful home- made chocolate treats.
Not forgetting the parents there was also entertainment for the adults and a chance for them to get to know each other as Neighbours Day aims to encourage neighbours to get to know each other and share a good time together, beyond daily issues and difficulties. By meeting each other at an informal celebratory event Neighbours Day improves the way people live together and improves community adhesion.
Clúid is a voluntary housing association that builds and manages social rented housing for people on low incomes and people with special needs. The association was registered as a company in February 1994; it is a registered charity and a non-profit making organisation.
Clúid believes that social housing is the platform for social progress – an affordable, secure home is the foundation on which individuals and families can build their careers, their personal networks and enjoy full participation in society and European Neighbours Day is a great example of communities coming together to participate in society.