About

OUR VISION

Creating a better future for people affected by Conflict and Trauma

Founding Motto

“Let each of us look out not only for our own interests, but also the interests of others”

Eligibility

Ely provides support and assistance to those identified in the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.*

*The 2006 Order defines ‘victims and survivors’ as follows:

Someone who is or has been physically or psychologically injured as a result of or in consequence of a “troubles”-related incident.
Someone who provides a substantial amount of care on a regular basis for an individual mentioned in paragraph (a).
Someone who has been bereaved as a result of or in consequence of a “troubles”-related incident.
The 2006 Order also notes that an individual may be psychologically injured as a result of or in consequence of:

(a) Witnessing a troubles-related incident or the consequences of such an incident; or
(b) Providing medical or other emergency assistance to an individual in connection with a troubles-related incident.

Ely provide support and assistance to retired police & security force officers and armed forces veterans and their families, who have been physically or psychologically injured or bereaved as a result of their service.

Referral Pathways

Clients may self refer to Ely Services or they can be signposted by relevant statutory partners, faith based organisations, community and voluntary sector organisations, and police or armed forces charities and associations. If you would like to refer to our services please complete our referral form.

Revenue

Ely is supported through a range of National and Regional Government Funding Schemes and Funding Authorities which has included the Victims and Survivors Services (VSS), The SEUPB Peace Programme, The Armed Forces Covenant Trust. Ely is also supported by Individual Trusts, Local Clubs, Associations, Private Businesses and Private Individuals.

Governance

Ely is governed by a Board of Directors who are responsible for the overall governance, financial management, strategic direction and values of the Charity in adherence to our Articles of Association and other legal and regulatory guidelines. Finance and Human Resources Sub Committees are responsible for oversight of these areas. The Staffing team are responsible for the daily implementation and management of of Ely service delivery.

Registration & Data Protection

Due to the nature of our work Ely place the utmost importance on the safety of the client information we obtain from you.

Following referral all Ely clients are required to complete our client referral form which is then uploaded unto client software systems. All information obtained from this and further interactions will always be collated, utilised and stored in adherence to GDPR as outlined within our Privacy Policy.

Service Satisfaction & Improvement

Ely aim to provide quality services to our clients. If we fail to do this we want to know so that errors can be rectified and new learning , policies and procedures established. Complaints are an extremely useful form of feedback on the ways we delivery our service, as well as a means of resolving client grievances. Wherever possible staff are expected to deal with a concern at the point of it being reported before it escalates into a formal complaint.

A copy of our complaints policy and procedure is available in our offices and to download on our website.

Our Service Charter/Code of Conduct

The Board of Trustees and staff of Ely are committed to contributing to the delivery of the highest quality of support services to our clients.

We endeavour to provide a safe, compassionate and welcoming environments for the provision of the highest quality of support to our clients.

Our Teams must:

Employ an holistic and integrative approach (Ely service map) to better serve the needs of clients.

Be clear and open about the services they can and cannot provide.

Be accountable by making sure they can answer for their actions or omissions.

Maintain a victims centered and focused approach.

Empower clients to engage in new areas of evidenced support.

Promote Equal Opportunities.

Work proactively and collaboratively with their colleagues to ensure the highest standard of support is provided to clients.

Communicate in an open and effective way to promote the services of Ely.

Respect client rights to confidentiality and privacy.

Always seek to enhance and develop the services delivered to clients through continuing professional development and commitment.

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.

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.

ELY CENTRE MISSION STATEMENT

To provide multi-disciplinary support services for civilians, security force personnel and their families, who have experienced bereavement and injury as a result of the “Troubles” through evidenced based treatment, prevention and support services that address issues of declining physical and psychological health, social and financial difficulties which have arisen as a result of the “Troubles”. View our Board & Staff members.

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 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 VALUES

Safety

Promoting the physical and emotional well-being of bereaved and injured civilians and security force personnel in an open, accepting, 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.

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.

The History of Troubles in Co. Fermanagh

Approximately 125 persons lost their lives as a result of the troubles throughout Fermanagh.
Republican Paramilitaries were responsible for the murder of over 115 persons including
33 innocent civilians
38 officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary
25 Ulster Defence Regiment personnel
21 British Army Service personnel
8 members of the IRA were killed by Security Force personnel.
Loyalist Paramilitaries murdered 5 persons.
1000’s more suffered & continue to suffer from the physical and psychologically injuries resulting from the troubles.
The largest number of fatalities occurred at the Remembrance “Poppy Day” Massacre in 1987 in Enniskillen

In Remembrance of the 12 Civilians murdered in Enniskillen on Remembrance Sunday 1987

Mrs Bertha Armstrong
Mr Wesley Armstrong
Mr Samuel Gault
Mrs Jessie Johnston
Mr Kit Johnston
Mr John Megaw
Mrs Agnes Mullan
Mr William Mullan
Mrs Albert Quinton
Miss Marie Wilson
Mr Edward Armstrong
Mr Ronnie Hill

In Recognition to the scores of Men, Women and Children Injured on Remembrance Sunday 1987

Our Achievements

2020

Commencement of New Memorial Project in honour of the Lost Police and Military Lives in Co Armagh.

2019

Creation of Co Armagh Office offering Health and Well Being Support and Welfare Advice service to this underrepresented area which has been highly impacted as a result of the NI Troubles.

2018

Creation of Brooke House Project, a visionary new rehabilitation project for Injured Police Officers and Military Veterans and Their Families, based on the Colebrooke Estate the Home of Viscount Brookeborough KG.

2017

30th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign for a Permanent Memorial to the Victims and Survivors of the Enniskillen Remembrance Day Bomb.

2015

Co Armagh Roll Of Honour (Civilians and Military Lost Lives).
Co Tyrone Roll of Honour (Civilians and Military Lost Lives).

2014

Co Fermanagh Roll of Honour (Civilians and Military lost lives).
Feasibility Study into the Creation of a Permanent Memorial for the Victims of the Enniskillen Bomb.

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.

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.

2013

Needs Analysis of 150 Victims and Survivors from South Tyrone & Upper Bann.
Coping with Terrorism Excerpts from testimonies of 100 victims/survivors and security force personnel.

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.

2012

Needs Analysis of 250 Victims and Survivors from Co Fermanagh.
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.

2011

The Flame Still Burns – Research study assessing levels of sectarianism in 150 young persons aged 11-16 in Co Fermanagh.
Co. Fermanagh Roll of Honour 4th UDR Battalion.
The Role of Faith in Levels of Trauma amongst Victims and Survivors A Research study assessing The Role of Faith and its impact on Levels of Trauma in 75 victims and survivors.