Dove House Community Trust

Dove House Community Trust (DHCT) is renowned as the leading community organisation responsible for the delivery of front-line community services in the Bogside and Brandywell area of Derry City. Established in 1984, Dove House, has, for more than 30 years provided many vital services and support to the people of the Bogside, Brandywell and the wider Derry City Council area. The Management Board of Dove House is populated by a number of local residents as well as representation from different sectors including public, private, community & voluntary. Each individual member brings with them an array of skills, experience and knowledge from both a professional and local level. The inclusion of residents in the running and managing of Dove House ensures that all services provided are in line with local need; furthermore, these services are effective in bringing about measurable change in people’s lives. Many organisations throughout the city, for example Conradh na Gaeilge (now the beautiful Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin on Gt. James’ Street), The Nerve Centre, The Gasyard Development Trust, Gasyard Wall Féile and The Bogside & Brandywell Initiative to name a few were embryonic visions which took on a life of their own whilst housed within Dove House. Presently ... Back in the early days, the centre was staffed by a committed, passionate and enthusiastic team of volunteers who provided a range of education and arts classes to local people. Dove House now provides a professional Advice Service to people in need across the Council area; a thriving Youth Club as well as drop-in centre in the city centre; a hub for those wishing to to return to employment or education; advocacy for women suffering domestic abuse; and help with money management. Dove House also works in partnership with other organisations in the area. in its present form has a dedicated team of advisors, who are equally committed and passionate about the local area. The current team work to support families on a low income and those in our community, who are most vulnerable. Information is available on a wide range of programmes? that can help them during a hardship. The range of projects, currently running in Dove House will ensure that the most vulnerable in the community can get assistance that they are entitled to, whether they are disabled or elderly, or experiencing other hardships. The staff will assess what their challenges are and based on the results of that, offer any assistance that they can. Advisors here can offer assistance with accessing benefits, referral to programmes dealing with debt management and financial capacity or accessing skills training. Refer this to Eugene and Majella (and Donna).