Council funds 11 groups to help tackle violence against women and girls

Eleven local community and voluntary groups have been awarded funding by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to help deliver work in support of the Council's Ending Violence Against Women and Girls strategy. The funding will support a range of activities, including workshops promoting education on healthy and respectful relationships and youth-led projects providing safe spaces for young women and girls.

Fund recipients were: Crisis Café £25,000; Bolster Community £24,942; Women's Aid Armagh Down £24,982; Bryansford GAC £14,060; Healthy Kids CIC £11,500; Magnet Centre £9,386; LGBTQ Women's Group Newry £5,000; The Highland Heathers £4,800; Drumaness Cross Community Playgroup £4,400 and Friends Forever Europe £3450.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, recently visited the Women's Aid Armagh Down offices in Newry to meet staff involved in the delivery of the CHAMP, or Changing Hearts & Minds Project, one of the successful recipients. The Strategy aims to tackle violence, abuse and harm experienced by women and girls, which continues to be a serious issue affecting many in society.

The funded groups will deliver sessions challenging harmful behaviours and attitudes, alongside the relationship education workshops and youth-led safe space projects. A local Shared Learning event will also bring all the funded groups together, giving them the opportunity to connect, share ideas and explore ways to collaborate.

Cllr Hanna said, "Violence against women and girls has no place in our communities. The organisations supported by this EVAWG funding play a crucial role in delivering programmes and initiatives that educate, empower and engage communities across our district. Through this investment, Council is demonstrating its commitment to supporting practical, community-led solutions and offering vital support where it's needed most."

Funding for the EVAWG Local Change Fund has been provided by The Executive Office and is managed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Further information is available at newrymournedown.org