Prior to the official opening of the Good Morning Ballycastle Project, over sixty guests, including representatives of support services and statutory bodies assembled in the Quay Road Hall. They were welcomed by Thelma Dillon, Chairperson of Ballycastle Church Action (BCA), who thanked everyone for their support in bringing the project to fruition.
BCA Secretary, David Quinney Mee, spoke of the background and intentions of the venture. Project Co-ordinator Kate Elliott then explained the daily practise of Good Morning Ballycastle. Over 1,100 calls have been made since the project began in mid October 2007.
After a reading from the Bible and a prayer, Revd. Eddie Dorrans, Very Revd. Maurice Henry and Revd. David Palmer led guests to the Good Morning office next door, cutting a ribbon to mark the official project launch. The office was open for viewing and refreshments were provided afterwards in the Quay Road Hall.
A NEW telephone care service for isolated and vulnerable people, Good Morning Ballycastle, was officially launched at 60, Ann Street, Ballycastle on Tuesday 29th January 2008. The project came about through the work of Ballycastle Church Action, itself formed in November 2005, following a church and community conference in Limavady.
Some of the town’s clergy were present at the conference and began meeting with a few friends to explore how the local congregations may better work together for the service of the Ballycastle community. Ballycastle Church Action was born a few months later.
BCA’s first major project, Good Morning Ballycastle, offers a friendly voice on the phone, to people living alone. This free telephone care and alert scheme is aimed at reducing fears of vulnerability and isolation experienced by many people in our communities. Ballycastle Church Action thanked Corrymeela for providing refreshments, and Greenlight Gateway for the beautiful flower arrangements adorning the new office.
Thanks were expressed also to Douglas James of ‘Photocraft’, a Ballycastle photography business, for printing and framing Rev. Gordon Gray’s photographs of the three main churches in the town.
Good Morning Ballycastle is funded by The Northern Health and Social Services Board.
Do you know of anyone who would benefit from the facility of Good Morning Ballycastle? If so, please contact Kate Elliott Co-ordinator at 02820768309, or call at the office between 9am and 1pm, Monday to Friday.
This story was covered by local press earlier this year:
http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/churches/Churches-proud-to-say-39Good.3743881.jp
Published Date: 06 February 2008
By Staff reporter
