The Ely Centre Ltd

The Ely Centre is a Registered Charity specialising in the provision of multi-disciplinary support services for civilians, security force personnel and their families, who have experienced bereavement and injury as a result of the “Troubles” in Fermanagh and Tyrone.

The Ely Centre is committed to serving innocent victims and survivors, ex service personnel, their families and carers by providing evidenced based outcome focused treatments, prevention and support services that address issues of declining psychological, physical health, social and financial difficulties arising as a result of terrorism.

Our Aims

• To support our members, through the provision of evidenced based, outcome focused therapeutic and psychological support services and programmes.
• To raise awareness, locally and nationally on the overall effects of terrorism on victims and their families.
•  To raise awareness on the negative impact of the troubles on individuals mental health.
•  To help injured service members and civilians aid and assist each other.
•  To provide social, educational and welfare services to meet the needs of injured service members and civilians and their families.
•  To create a Memorial to the Victims of the 1987 Enniskillen Poppy Day Bomb.
•  To provide Individuals with tailored approaches to treatment by considering each person’s needs and goals.
•  To provide Individuals with information relating to services, processes and practitioners to ensure they feel informed, confident and comfortable with utilising our services.
•  To develop strategic partnerships with community/voluntary/statutory sector based organisations for the purpose of ensuring quality and sustainable services are provided for our member.
• To develop and delivery community volunteering initiatives, thus empowering our local community and recognising its integral role in our service delivery model.

Our History

The Ely Centre was formed by individuals and family members of the bereaved and injured of the 1987 Enniskillen Remembrance Day Bomb which claimed the lives of 12 innocent people and injured over 70 men, women and children.

The Poppy Day Massacre took place on 8 November 1987. An (IRA) bomb exploded near the town’s war memorial (cenotaph) during the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony, which was being held to commemorate the dead of both World Wars, all killed were civilians.

In trying to make sense of such a senseless and horrific act of terrorism and deal with the enormous grief and reality of our loss, we felt the need to reach out to other victims who were experiencing the same agony and trauma we felt.

Under the Chairmanship of Mr Jim Dixon(one of the most seriously injured civilians), The Ely Centre has offered support to over 5,000 individuals; a cross-section of adults, young people and children with over 2400 people currently engaged in support provision. Typically, over 200 new referrals are received each year from across Northern Ireland.

The Ely Centre is a proven Centre of Excellence in the community in bridge building. Its aim is to build upon its past experiences of engaging minds, experiences and aspirations for a peaceful community. (SEUPB)

Our Achievements

In September 2014, the Ely Centre received the honour of being the 1st Victims Support organisation from Northern Ireland invited to present on the needs of bereaved and injured of the troubles and legacy issues surrounding young people in Northern Ireland to the European Parliament and European Commission in Brussels.

In 2014 Fermanagh District Council awarded the Ely Centre for our role in promoting and providing volunteer youth and adult befriending services to those isolated throughout the community of Fermanagh.

In 2012 The Ely Centre received the award for the Best Innovative Project from the Community Relations Council for Northern Ireland for our Peace 3 Project aimed at improving the Social and emotional well-being for carers of victims and survivors.

In 2012 The Ely Centre was awarded Second place in the nationwide Best Youth Project in Northern Ireland for our Peace 3 funded ELOHIM project providing peace and reconciliation training, citizenship courses and personal development programmes to over 800 young persons throughout Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

Our Values

Safety:

Promoting the physical and emotional well-being of bereaved and injured civilians and security force personnel; providing an open and accepting environment in which clients can explore their concerns in a professional, ethical & confidential environment.

Respect: Fostering a culture of inclusiveness that honours diversity amongst individuals.

Compassion: Experiencing genuine care and concern for the unique struggles faced by individuals.

Learning: Encouraging the development of awareness, knowledge, and skills as a lifelong process.

Empowerment: Offering individuals information, context, and support to enable them to optimally navigate their life circumstances.

Excellence: Upholding the highest professional and ethical standards and providing leadership in the field of victim support in the community.

Community: Promoting meaningful connection and collaboration, and continually striving to engage honestly and authentically in beneficial relationships.

Useful key words:

• Ex-services community
• Ex-security services community
• Ex-military community

This organisation receives support from the Victims Support Programme for Groups Working with Victims and Survivors, to deliver some or all of the services that it provides. Its views do not necessarily reflect those of the Victims and Survivors Service.