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Residents in Newry, Mourne and Down have voted for a series of projects promoting positive mental health through increased social connectivity.

The awards of up to £1500 were made through the Communities Leading Change Participatory Budgeting (PB) campaign. Communities Leading Change is a Participatory Budgeting initiative which allows residents to decide how to spend part of a public budget by voting on which projects they think would be most beneficial and make the biggest impact in their community.

A total of 39 projects have been funded through an online voting platform Speak NMD, with unprecedented participation in this year’s PB project.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason said, “I am delighted that we have had such a massive turnout for this year’s Communities Leading Change project. Over 6000 votes have been placed in a very short space of time. Congratulations to all the projects who have received funding. The range and diversity of projects was fantastic. I look forward to their completion and seeing the positive impact they will have on their communities.”

Each group will now have until 31 March 2022 to spend their funding. The Council will be hosting events for the public to view how these projects have benefitted the area in which they live.

The Speak NMD platform is funded by the Community Foundation Northern Ireland (CFNI) through its Civic Innovation Programme. The platform will allow members of the Community Planning partnership and voluntary community sector to use the e-Panel to conduct frequent online consultations with a registered group of residents. To join the Speak NMD e-citizen panel visit: www.livingwelltogethernmd.org

Projects Funded

Annalong Community Empowerment (ACE)

Annalong Together at Christmas

Ardglass Coastal Rowing Club

Row Fit Equipment

Ballyholland GAC

Keeping Harps Connected

Ballykinlar GAC

Get Outdoors Get Social

Barcroft

Let's Celebrate Christmas Again

BOSCO

Bosco Boosts Mental Health

Bryansford Boxing

Life Skills

Castlewellan Youth Club

Start Up

Cedar Foundation

Disability Hub - Reconnect Project

Clanrye Group

Believe In Tomorrow

Clonduff GAC

Clonduff Isolation to Elevation Programme

Craobh Rua Camlocha

Social Hurling & Social Camogie

Crisis Café CIC

Reconnect

Down Triathlon

Come On Down and Open Water Swim

Downpatrick Autism Support

Autism Dads Together

Downpatrick Football club

Together Fund

Drumaness and District

Light Up Our Village

EA youth Service Downpatrick

EDRP - Young Women’s Group - Go Create

Indian Family’s Community Newry

Happy Talils

Knockevin Downpatrick Parent Staff Association

Accessible Outdoor Equipment

Knockevin Special School Dundrum

Accessible Outdoor Equipment

Liatroim Fontenoys GAC

Winter Programme for Girls

Life Changes Lives

Creative Learning

Men’s Shed Downpatrick

Breakfast Bowls

NMD Walk Wild: Walk Well

Walking Qi Gong in Nature

Rascals’ ‘N’ Ruffians Play school

Promoting Positive Mental Health through Music and Movement

Respect Project

Climb To Shine

RGU Downpatrick

Engage, Enhance and Encourage Mental Health Programme

Saintfield Community Trust

Saintfield Community Garden

St Brigid’s Primary School Downpatrick PTA

Making Musical Memories

St Joseph’s High School

St Joseph’s Nurture Project

St Mary’s Youth and Comm Club

Let’s Walk and Talk

St Patrick’s Grammar School Downpatrick

Enriching Lives

St Patrick’s Legamaddy Downpatrick

Special Needs Outdoor Play Equipment

The Happiness Café

Happiness is…

Warrenpoint Community Centre

Santa In the Park

Warrenpoint Men’s Shed

Wood Turning For Beginners

Women’s Aid Armagh Down

Before The Dawn Project

 

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