SEFF becomes first NI based victims group with services in London

by Gráinne Connolly

Lisnaskea based South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) has become the first NI-based victims group to launch services for victims and survivors of the Troubles based in Great Britain. 

SEFF managed to launch the new services by securing in excess £1 million for the next four year period from PEACE IV. 

This money is administered via The Victims and Survivors Service to provide an Advocacy Support service to families and individuals affected by the Troubles. 

Q Radio spoke to Kenny Donaldson, the Director of SEFF who is currently in London for the opening of the new office based in central London. 

He says this new development is significant: 

"This development is significant for two reasons, we wish to ensure that GB-based victims/survivors have equality of access to Advocacy services and it is also essential that we have a presence at the heart of decision making for our Nation, 

"we must bring the message of innocent victims/survivors of terrorism directly to our National policymakers and opinion formers".

In London they will provide support for those who seek justice, truth and accountability for crimes committed over the years of 'The Troubles', making their presence well known in Great Britain, as well as Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

Mr Donaldson also says: 

"SEFF stands against the attempted rewrite of our history and through this service and other initiatives within the organisation we will be doing our best to ensure that right prevails, those who seek to diminish the activities and legacy of terrorism will not succeed,"

SEFF has recently assembled a new Advocacy Support service, including new team member Yasmin Wright who is representing them in London to oversee the introduction of staff and to introduce key stakeholders. 

The existing Advocacy Service team includes Ken Funston, Service Manager, Peter Murtagh, Greater Belfast and South Down Support worker, Ann Travers, Mid-Ulster Region with outreach into RoI cases, and Wendy Stewart, Western Region worker with outreach into RoI cases.