About Us

The Heart of Our Community

Cullybackey Community Partnership is an active community group involved in improving the appearance of Cullybackey village through environmental projects and improving the well-being of our community by providing and facilitating a range of events, projects and programmes. These are designed to address community-focused issues and target specific needs with measurable impact. They include community events, education programmes, workshops and classes and community services such as tackling loneliness.

We support a range of groups throughout Cullybackey with an emphasis on supporting older people and families through

  1. Tackling Loneliness and Isolation
  2. Improving Health and Wellbeing, including Mental Health
  3. Enhancing Community Cohesion

Cullybackey Community Partnership also has strong relationships with local organisations including Scouts, Guides, local churches, the three local schools and a range of businesses as well as other groups in the village.

Our vision is that Cullybackey will be a vibrant place where people want to live, work and play. Cullybackey will be a place where people are proud to say where they are from and the local community will have a strong and confident identity. It is our aim that Cullybackey Community Partnership will become the heartbeat of the community, helping those in need, be a source of information and support and a constant champion for the people of Cullybackey, caring for those most in need. We want to inspire and motivate local groups and individuals to help build a strong and resilient community.

Company Registration Number: NI054012
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 100066
Accepted as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs under reference XR39020

Men's Shed

What We Do

We provide a range of community events, festivals, workshops, classes and run a range of tailored projects for people in our local community. As well as this we improve the appearance of the village through a range of environmental programmes. This includes providing the festive lights throughout the village at Christmas.

For a full list of what projects we have upcoming, check out our What’s On section of the website.

Cullybackey Bridge

Our Board

Cullybackey Community Partnership is managed by a Board of Trustees. This dedicated group of local volunteers is committed to improving Cullybackey for the people living and working in the community.

We are always on the lookout for new Trustees who are passionate about community work and have time and skills to bring added value to our group. If you would like to find out more about how to become a Trustee email cullybackey@nacn.org

Trustees

jonathon fulton

Jonathon Fulton

Chair

paul christie

Paul Christie

Secretary

Roy Colville

Roy Colville

Treasurer

tom simpson

Thomas Simpson

elizabeth boyd

Elizabeth Boyd

maureen johnston

Maureen Johnston

richard hanna

Richard Hanna

Elizabeth Kyle

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Joan McKibbin

bertie mcneilly

Bertie McNeilly

Ruth Orr

Coleen Christie

Roy McClean

Roy McClean

Staff

samantha

Samantha Peden

Community Development Officer
Samantha Peden joined Cullybackey Community Partnership as Community Development Officer on 16 September 2024. 
 
A naturally social and community‑minded person, Samantha thrives on meeting new people, building meaningful connections, and offering support wherever she can. Known for her upbeat, “glass‑half‑full” outlook, she brings a positive, can‑do attitude and a practical problem‑solving approach to her work. Those who know her will tell you she loves a good laugh, but is equally a thoughtful listener who genuinely cares about helping others.
 
Samantha is passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives. One of her proudest recent achievements is being recognised as one of the Borough’s Loneliness Champions—an honour that reflects her commitment to reducing isolation and strengthening community wellbeing.
 
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring the outdoors on evening walks with her Border Collie, Ernie, and her youngest son. She also loves gardening, cooking and baking, and unwinding with a good book.

Get Involved

If you would like to volunteer with us, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year for you to contribute. Whether helping out at one of our events or festivals, planting flowers, preparing flower beds, filling hanging baskets, joining our watering rota in the summer, village clean ups, leaflet drops or any of the other many tasks that we do, there is always something that needs done.

To volunteer your services or time, please get in touch by emailing cullybackey@nacn.org

Awards

kings award

King’s Award for Voluntary Service

In November 2023 Cullybackey Community Partnership received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. This award is part of the UK Honours System and is the highest award a voluntary group can be awarded in the UK. Cullybackey Community Partnership is one of only a few organisations in Northern Ireland to have been given this award.

Britain in Bloom

Britain in Bloom

2022 – Best Large Village
2024 – Best Large Town

ulster in bloom

Ulster in Bloom

2021 - Large Village category
2023 - Large Village category
2024 - Large Village category

green flag award

Green Flag Award

2021 & 2025