For over 30 years, hundreds of community volunteers have worked over one million hours in a voluntary capacity for Broughshane and District Community Assocaitaion Ltd. They have improved the social, economic and environmental aspects of their community and above all their quality of life.

In the early years the main focus for Broughshane and District Community Association was on recreational facilities for all ages in the form of a hall, soccer pitch and playground.

Today the community has 27 affiliated groups and a membership of 1800. First formed in 1969, it was conceived as an umbrella group whose role was to secure collective benefits, not just for a particular group but for the whole community. The community organisation promoted community relations and communication between the various groups within society where it really counts, that is within the home, all the age groups, the employed, the unemployed, the villager, the farmer and the newcomer.

By acknowledgement that everyone has something to contribute people began to feel valued and that they had a stake in their community, a sense of belonging and pride. This new confidence was not to be seen as elitism, patronising less fortunate communities, but as an inspiration to them that if an ordinary place like Broughshane could do it so could they!

Thousands of people have benefited form the work of Broughshane and District Community Association in various ways. Many of the community projects supported within Broughshane have addressed the needs of the most vulnerable in society, older people, children, young parents, the unemployed and farmers. A variety of groups and organisations have helped here. The Credit Union enables access to loans for those who may not access credit in other areas. The Senior Citizens Club reduces the isolation of older people by organising events and activities, the Community Playgroup and Mother and Toddlers Group provide essential caring breaks (be it only for a few hours) as well as opportunities for contact and general support. The Young Farmers' Club and Women's Institute support strong rural community networks, reducing isolation and dispersing knowledge.

"Landscaping at Houston's Mill Resource Centre"

Environmental concerns have always been at the heart of the work carried out here and some of them are referred to below :-

• A feature Garden in the Centre of the Village situated at the Broughshane Library cared for and maintained by the local voluntary committee.
• New Community Offices with training/support facility to incorporate an information centre.
• Wildflower/Community Woodland to compliment each other sited along the Buttermilk Bridge Riverside Walk known as Little Acorn Wood.
• Cycle Network in conjunction with Sustrans - the National Cycle Network, which is linked from Broughshane to the new Eco's Park (Environment Centre) in Ballymena.
• New Community playgrounds for local children to play in safety.
• 3 Star Self Catering Cottage
• Hydro Scheme
• Refurbishment of Houston's Mill into a Community Business Resource Centre

The newest and biggest challenge this vibrant community enterprise has recently taken on is the creation of a Community Economic Resource Centre at Houston's Mill. This will regenerate that area of the village and the accompanying Mill Wheel and Hydro Electric Scheme will be a constant reminder of the power of the people of the Braid Valley to regenerate their communities. In the redevelopment of Houston's Mill, the community will retain the heritage of the past and provide additional facilities for the present, which will sustain their community development into the future.

For more information on Houston's Mill
Contact Valerie Blake on 048-25862777
or email broughshane@nacn.org