Cookstown and Western Shores Area Network

Cookstown and Western Shores Area Network (CWSAN) is a community umbrella organisation which was formed in 1996 to represent and support the interests of community groups within the rural areas of Mid Ulster and along the Western Shores of Lough Neagh. The network aims to support the activities of groups in the area through a range of measures which include training, facilitation, information access, brokerage and consultation. The network operates from a central location at the Crieve Centre, Stewartstown serving the needs of groups in this rural area stretching from the River Moyola to the north, the River Blackwater to the south and westwards to the Sperrin foothills. CWSAN is one of twelve Rural Support Networks (RSNs) affiliated to the Rural Community Network (RCN). CWSAN has a cross-community focus and is managed by a voluntary committee which is elected annually. Since 1997 the Network has expanded from a few groups based along the Lough Shore to the present membership of over 80 affiliated groups. These include community and development associations, youth, farmer's groups, women's groups, welfare rights, ethnic minorities, playgroups, historical and cultural groups and a number of issue based partnerships.