Small steps to bring change in Delvin

The complications that can sometimes be involved in getting a job done can mean it remains undone – but that is not the case in Delvin.

There, the residents of the Castleview and Castleview Court area have worked together to make the most of the modest amount of funding they received from Westmeath county Council and have now enhanced their area.

A spokesperson for the residents group explained what they’ve been doing: “We received €1,000 funding from Westmeath County Council Community Enhancement Programme 2018 to support residents in providing housing units for the wheelie bins outside of their properties, and address the issue of having to wheel these through the interiors of their homes every collection day.

“While this photo of the completed project may appear to show it as a simple development, as in any areas of community development, the process needs many small steps and facets working together to deliver.”

The group said the process they worked through began with identifying and raising issues with the residents group, continued to consultation with local authorities and agencies and identifying funding sources (the council’s Community Enhancement Programme), to submission of the application.

Further steps were the purchase and delivery of flat-packed items and linking with the local men’s group for erection and placement of the items.

“This seemingly simple project shows the number of small steps, perseverance and the need to work together to bring about change or improvement to an area, and the many facets of the wider community needed, from council and Westmeath Community Development to the Delvin Men’s shed. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to them for their support in this action.”