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Bolster Community in Newry and The Happiness Café in Kilkeel are receiving funding from Bank of Ireland UK to help them through the cost of living crisis.
Bolster Community, supporting their Seniors Well and Thriving Programme across Newry, Mourne & Down, the funding will provide a weekly drop-in session for older people to access support, information and refreshments, providing a warm, safe space to talk and support them with increased costs of living.
Jacinta Linden, CEO of Bolster Community commented “The funding will support weekly drop-in sessions for seniors to access support, information, and refreshments, providing a warm, safe space to talk, addressing the rising costs of living. Sincere thanks to Bank of Ireland funding which has made the Seniors Well and Thriving Programme across Newry, Mourne & Down possible."
The Happiness Café, supporting the Dementia Lunch Munchers project which provides a hot lunch in a warm, safe, non-judgemental space for people with dementia and their carers to meet, and enjoy activities, reducing stigma and isolation for those living with dementia.
The funding is from the bank's Cost of Living Fund which was set up in January this year to help organisations supporting those most at risk from cost of living pressures. Today’s announcement marks the second and final allocation of funding with grants of up to £10,000 targeted at a range of groups including children and families at risk, older persons, those with disabilities, lone parents, and low-income families.
Bank of Ireland is working closely with Community Foundation Northern Ireland and the Community Foundation for Ireland to manage the donations on behalf of the Bank and have advised on a wide range of social issues and organisations that require financial support.
George Higginson, Director of Northern Ireland, Mortgages & Partnerships, Bank of Ireland UK, commented: “The rising cost of living remains a significant challenge for many people today. This donation aims to help those most at risk. We are grateful to the Community Foundation Northern Ireland for their support in ensuring that it reaches communities across Northern Ireland that are most in need.”
Róisín Wood, CEO, The Community Foundation Northern Ireland said: "The ten groups that have been funded are working to address a wide range of pressing issues that have arisen as a result of the cost of living crisis. This funding will make a real difference to those that these groups work with, boosting the community and voluntary sector‘s ability to provide critical supports throughout society at this time.”
A full list of the second round of grantees is available at: Cost Of Living Fund
Supporting the financial wellbeing of customers, colleagues and society is a key priority for Bank of Ireland, with advice on budgeting and financial management from Bank of Ireland’s Financial Wellbeing team available at Bank of Ireland UK
