Funding of almost £500,000 has been announced for the development of a new counselling, psychotherapy and psychosocial support service facility in Strabane.

Funded by the Department for Communities, the Koram Centre, currently based at Mourne Villas on Lower Main Street in Strabane, is set to relocate to enhanced office space in the heart of the North West town.

An investment of £499,941 from The National Lottery Community Fund helped secure the purchase of the new premises at Railway Street and the delivery of wider services while the £500k investment by Department for Communities will facilitate a major refurbishment of the facility.

The move, which is expected to be completed by early-2024, will provide increased capacity and ensure that critical mental health services are supported and upgraded in the Strabane area.

The Koram Centre’s current base consists of five rooms, while the new space will accommodate a total of 12 rooms, comprising three offices and nine rooms for counselling and complementary therapy.

The new facility will also provide a large training and conference room, and a dedicated room for work with children and young people.

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In addition, a more prominent town centre location will enhance accessibility for visitors and increase the visibility of the Koram Centre which in turn will promote and help destigmatize the crucial issue of mental health and wellbeing.

Department for Communities Deputy Secretary Moira Doherty said the Koram Centre, which is in the Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal Area, had been identified as a "priority consideration" by the department.

She said: "Following on from a commitment made last year, I am delighted to confirm that funding was secured to progress the refurbishment plans for the new Koram Centre.

"As well as supporting the centre’s imminent move to a more prominent location in Strabane, this capital investment further highlights the department’s commitment to addressing the critical issue of mental health and emotional wellbeing in local communities.

"Having visited the new office space on Railway Street, it is clear the location and size of the new premises will increase the Koram Centre’s capacity to provide essential services including delivering a wide range of counselling support to children, adolescents and adults of all ages in the Strabane area."

Gerard McFadden, Koram Centre trustee, thanked Department for Communities and The National Lottery Community Fund for their "continued support" and assistance in supporting the relocation.

He said: "The purchase and refurbishment of the new premises will allow the Koram Centre to increase the number of services we offer the local community and address a wide range of emotional health and wellbeing issues.

"This is a welcome investment in the local area at a time when the demand for such services is increasing. It is also a welcome development for everyone at the Koram Centre as we continue to play a key role in supporting local people."

Department for Communities, through its Neighbourhood Renewal initiative, invested more than £500,000 in the Strabane Neighbourhood Renewal Area in 2022/23.