GPP meets Sinn Fein in bid to tackle alienation

Willie Lamrock, General Secretary of the Londonderry YMCA, is spearheading the groundbreaking Gateway To Protestant Participation (GPP) and recently joined colleagues to give an overview of scheme to the one-time Sinn Fin Unionist outreach officer.

The purpose of meeting Ms Anderson was to inform her of the background to the programme and update her on the programmes that are being implemented.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Lamrock said: "One of the catalysts behind the development of the GPP was the lack of confidence and capacity within Protestant groups to work with decision makers and politicians.

"We met with Ms Anderson to give her an overview of the programme, update her on the progress so far and seek her support in tackling Protestant alienation and marginalisation in the our council areas of Londonderry, Strabane, Donegal and Omagh.

"We want to work with Protestant groups and organisations to give them the skills and abilities to enable them engage with MLAs, Ministers, their departments and local government to ensure the needs of Protestants considered by decision makers at all levels.

"We have now met with all main political parties, and hope to continue links with parties and MLA's in order to increase Protestant participation and capacity."

GPP is a strategic programme, Funded by European Regional Development Fund, under Peace III, it is designed to encourage the participation of the Protestant community, by promoting a shared sense of belonging and addressing issues of marginalisation and tackling attitudes to racism and sectarianism, at a local level within the North West Peace III Cluster area.