Launch of book celebrating 40 years of Workspace
February 6, 2026
Book launch events for ‘Born Out of Necessity 40 Years of Workspace Draperstown’ were held on 23rd October 2025, to celebrate Workspace’s 40th birthday.
Written by Draperstown man, Michael McGlade, and designed by Laura Crosset from Blurbox Media & Design, the book documents how Workspace, set up to tackle record levels of unemployment and deprivation during the height of the Troubles in the 1980s, became an award winning social enterprise, which has helped transform the fortunes of Draperstown and surrounding areas.
However, despite the major successes of the past four decades which has transformed the fortunes of Draperstown and surrounding area, the Chairman of Workspace, Laurence O’Kane said there are people and young families still struggling with a range of social and economic problems.
“When Workspace was set up back in 1985, I don’t think anyone could have foreseen the huge changes and the progress that have been made here in a rural place like Draperstown and the wider Ballinascreen parish,” said Mr O’Kane.
“This is now a prosperous place; we have great facilities for our young people, for the schools and for the community; we have some really strong businesses which are providing hundreds of jobs. From a time when we had serious emigration, we now have people coming to live and work here, which is fantastic.
“But there is still a big need for a social enterprise like Workspace and similar organisations across the North.
“At a local level, we have seen the alarming rise in cases of poor mental health, there are still concerns over isolation and of course our health service. We have set up a foodbank which is helping families who are struggling, sometimes both partners may have jobs but can’t make ends meet. From an economic point of view, Draperstown has seen quite a few traders close over recent years due to online shopping, and this has left a lot of empty buildings in the town.”
Mr O’Kane, added: “These are all problems which Workspace is proactively working to address in partnership with partner agencies and some excellent local charities like STEPS Mental Health.”
Georgina Grieve who is the Chief Executive of Workspace said their focus was very much on the future and ‘delivery to the community’.
“It is important that we mark the 40th anniversary of Workspace and pay tribute to those founding members, directors, and all the staff who have contributed down the years,” she said.
“Our focus is always looking forward and we know that there are many things that we need to do. We are blessed in Draperstown with great volunteers and groups who are making such a positive impact on people’s lives and as a social enterprise we are determined to provide all the support to them that we can.
“When Workspace started out, it was very much about getting businesses up and running, and and it is still a core part of our work, but in 2025, we are much more community-focused and we have seen what can be achieved when we work together, whether it’s with local groups and clubs, the local council or with the Stormont government.”
Copies of the book are available to purchase for £25. Contact Workspace on 028 7962 8113 or info@theworkspacegroup.org for more details.
