Radius celebrates at Community Relations Council Good Relations Awards 2025

The Awards presentation event, held on Tuesday 25th March at Shankill Shared Women’s Centre, was co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council and designed to recognise those who go above and beyond in building more united communities together. 

The Awards featured six categories of which two; Housing for All and Connecting Communities (runner up) were won by nominations from Radius Housing.

Good Relations Housing for All Award – Portstewart Community Association.  The award showcases individuals/groups working in a voluntary capacity within their community, building bridges and mutual respect and understanding. Radius have worked in partnership with PCA to support many events and activities including the Red Sails Festival, community clean ups, community board games nights, and work with newcomer families to Portstewart.

Fiona Shannon, Chair Portstewart Community Association

"We are delighted to have been recognised for the ongoing work of our group. Portstewart Community Association have been working with residents, newcomer families and visitors to the area for over 50 years. Our focus is on activities to bring the community together as well as raising issues that affect the people of the town.  We value the support of Radius Housing in helping deliver projects particularly their continued sponsorship of the Red Sails Festival."

Good Relations Connecting Communities Project of the Year Award runner up - Culture on the Hill, Dungannon.  The award recognises a group of local people who have formed a project or delivered an activity that bring together a community to promote mutual respect and understanding. The event, organised by Radius Housing Association in partnership with Apex + Choice Housing, brought together pupils and staff from nine local schools in Dungannon, for a wonderful evening of music, storytelling, dance and drama which reflected the diverse backgrounds of the students. In addition to the performances, pupils held an inspiring art exhibition, providing a platform for young artists to share their unique perspectives and stories.

Radius work in Portstewart and Dungannon is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.  The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.   

The Shared Housing Programme gives people a choice to live with others from different political, religious and ethnic backgrounds. 

Martin McDonald MBE, Chair of the Community Relations Council:

"The Good Relations Awards 2025 shine a well-deserved spotlight on the unsung heroes of our communities – those who work every day to bridge divides, nurture understanding and create lasting change. Their dedication to promoting peace and cultural respect is truly remarkable and their efforts are instrumental in shaping a better future for all."

Radius constructs 300 new homes each year, as well as managing more than 14,000 homes across Northern Ireland.

Radius Housing currently has 15 shared housing developments across Northern Ireland.  Through the Housing for All Shared Housing Programme Radius work in partnership with local advisory group stakeholders and residents to develop and deliver good relations plans for the area. These plans include ‘bridging events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include health and wellbeing, art and culture, education and training.

For further information:

The Executive Office - Together: Building a United Community

Department for Communities - Shared Housing Programme

Northern Ireland Housing Executive - Shared Housing Programme