Lord Mayor celebrates 25 years of USDT

Belfast Lord Mayor, Deirdre Hargey, has marked 25 years of service by Upper Springfield Development Trust, with a special event at Belfast City Hall today.

Staff of Upper Springfield Development Trust were invited to a reception in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour where they were thanked for 25 years of serving the Upper Springfield and Whiterock communities of West Belfast.

The Lord Mayor presented CEO Donal McKinney with a certificate of appreciation to recognise the efforts of all the staff at USDT who have worked for the benefit of the community.

Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey and CEO Donal McKinney of Upper Springfield Development TrustBelfast Lord Mayor, Deirdre Hargey, with Upper Springfield Development Trust’s CEO, Donal McKinney.

The Lord Mayor said: “A Voluntary and Community organisation like the Upper Springfield Development Trust plays an important and growing role in improving daily life for the people who live, work in or visit Belfast so it is a privilege to have this chance to thank you for what you do.

“The success of the Belfast Agenda – the long-term development plan for the city – recognises that we need your support and that of other community and voluntary organisations, as well as the private and public agencies to achieve our aims of improving the economy, environment and health and wellbeing for everyone in Belfast,” said Councillor Hargey.

“Over the years you have done fantastic work in your community often reaching outside it to learn and share lessons and outcomes with others. Congratulations! I look forward to your success continuing in the years ahead,” she added.


USDT staff in the Lord Mayors parlorStaff from Upper Springfield Development Trust in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour in Belfast City Hall.

Upper Springfield Development Trust CEO, Donal McKinney, said: “We are delighted to be here at the invitation of Belfast Lord Mayor, Deirdre Hargey.  Upper Springfield Development Trust was formed in 1993 and we are proud to be comprised of representatives from the local community, voluntary, private and public agencies. Our priority is to promote the social, economic and cultural regeneration of the area and over the last 25 years we have excelled in that task.”

“Our teams and projects have served generations of local families with regard to a number of issues including housing, employability, health and wellbeing, youth provision and community development.”

“We are currently in the process of finalising our strategic plan for the next 3 years, so local residents can expect further support and development in the community by the Upper Springfield Development Trust.”