Write a comment
March has got off to a good start for 16 community organisations in the Newry area, with news of them receiving National Lottery funding for a wide variety of projects.
Ballybot Community Association received £10,000 to help re-energise their community. The largest funding granted was £142,572 to Lislea Community Association to run community activities, An Tobar, Silverbridge received £9,550 to help young people explore their identity and 21 Bridge Club, Newry received £8,915 to help their members reconnect.
Ballybot Community Association in Newry are using their £10,000 grant to bring together young and older people in the community. The intergenerational project will run activities and day trips to reduce isolation and build relationships.
Malachy Maguire, Chairperson of Ballybot Community Association, said: “Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for having the confidence in us, as volunteers, to fund in this exciting, new project that will re-energise the local community in the Ballybot area of Newry City. We will be advertising upcoming opportunities via social media and by distributing leaflets and flyers within the community and encourage all our residents to get involved.”
The OK Club, Meigh, is using a £10,000 grant to run activities for older women, many of whom are widowed or living with long-term health conditions. The project will reconnect their members with the local community and reduce isolation. 21 Bridge Club in Newry is using an £8,915 grant to run activities to help members to reconnect following the pandemic and improve their wellbeing. Activities include a luncheon club, cooking demonstrations, floral art classes, and day trips.
The £142,572 grant to Lislea Community Association will help run community activities for people of all ages and abilities. Over five years the project will build on the community spirit that already exists to build more connections, improve health and wellbeing and promote inclusion. Activities include outdoor play, mental health support, personal development courses, volunteering opportunities, a mobile library, relaxation classes, a special needs and autism project, and a visit from the Action Cancer Bus.
An Tobar, based in Silverbridge, has been awarded a £9,550 grant to develop a programme for young people in south Armagh, who want to explore their identity in a safe space and feel part of the local LGBTQ+ community.
Killeavy Men's Shed, based in Meigh, will use an £8,800 grant to develop their community garden to include an allotment space. The project will allow members to use their woodwork skills to build planters and grow their own plants and vegetables.
Also receiving funding were the Brain Injury Foundation in Camlough who received a £5,180 grant to buy two mobility scooters and two powered wheelchairs to make their activities more accessible. The project will increase confidence and independence for members who have suffered from a brain injury. Youth With a Mission (NI), based in Rostrevor, is using a £1,450 grant to set up a board gaming club for young people. The project will bring young people together and encourage discussions around identity and inclusion to help welcome newcomers into the community.
The grants are part of £7.2m from the National Lottery Community Fund to 153 groups across Northern Ireland.
The National Lottery funding is being used to support people during these challenging times, including bringing people together, providing mental health support and helping people struggling with the rising cost of living.
Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million a week is raised for good causes across the UK, including Forever Friends Europe which is based in Annalong. They are using a £10,000 grant to improve the energy efficiency of their residential premises. The project will update heating systems and install new windows to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their energy costs.
Others funded were Harry’s Mates in Ballynahinch, Cumberland True Blues L.O.L. 358, Dechomet Community Group Ltd, Kilcoo Regeneration Group Limited, Newry Street Unite Ltd, Rowallane Community Hub and Saintfield Men’s Shed.
Paul Sweeney, The National Lottery Community Fund’s NI Chair, said: “I’m proud to see the impact our funded projects are having in people’s lives and across communities in Northern Ireland as we continue to live with increased pressures and uncertainties.
“Our staff are happy to talk with groups about their ideas for funding to help communities. We are also supporting current funded projects to deal with the rising costs that are challenging their services and working flexibly, to ensure that National Lottery money continues to reach people in need.”
For more information on National Lottery funding visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
