The Good Morning Down (GMD) project first began in October 2002 when the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and the Northern Ireland Tenants Action Project (NITAP) organised a Community Conference with the theme of ‘Community Safety’. After visting and observing a Good Morning project in action in Glasgow during 2003, a proposal for the development of a local Good Morning project was put forward.
By August 2004, Geraldine Dunlop was employed as the Project Co-ordinator and issues regarding client referrals, volunteer recruitment and equipment installation were addressed. On Monday 31st January 2005, GMD made its first call to a member. By May 2005, 18 members were receiving calls.
Linda Baker took over the reins from Geraldine Dunlop in early 2008. Linda led GMD for 14 years and oversaw a massive increase in the number of calls and events held by the organisation. GMD also came into it’s own during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw older and vulnerable people isolated during lockdowns. Linda and her ‘Red Angels’ (pictured) supported many people over the phone and, where practicable, in person.
In 2022, Dan McEvoy became the GMD Manager and currently leads a team of 18 volunteers, making calls to 170 clients every week.
The spirit of GMD has remained unchanged from its roots in 2002: “Everyone needs someone to talk to“.