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A total of 31 organisations in Newry, Mourne and Down have benefited from National Lottery funding which aims to strengthen the communities they serve.
The big recipient in Newry is Crisis Café based on The Mall who are using a £336,881 grant to support young people to improve mental wellbeing and build connections. Over three years the project will provide a café-style environment for young people to feel safe and comfortable accessing services without facing any stigma. Activities include one-to-one mental health support, therapeutic interventions, a social club, an LGBTQAI+ group and a support group for young people aged 18-25 who are facing new challenges as they leave education. Other Newry organisations to benefit include Altnaveigh House, Caring Coins, Newry Gateway Club, Home Start Newry and Mourne and Sticky Fingers Art.
Based in the south Down area, the Search and Rescue Dog Association (Ireland North), has been awarded an £8,700 grant to buy PPE equipment for dog handlers. The equipment will ensure volunteers are protected while assisting emergency services in searching for missing persons across Northern Ireland.
It's part of a Northern Ireland wide announcement of nearly £10m in funding from the Lottery. Over 300 grants ranging from £600 to over £500,000 are going to every Council area across Northern Ireland.
Projects being supported include activity to improve mental health by reducing isolation and helping people affected by the rising costs of living.
Funding Recipients Newry
Altnaveigh House Trust in Newry is using a £10,000 grant to make improvements to the group’s building, including extra meeting space, to allow them to provide more facilities for the community.
Caring Coins Association, based in Newry, is using a £6,998 grant to buy equipment and materials so they can continue to support the community and coordinate events such as their Christmas Toy Appeal.
Home-Start Newry and Mourne are using an £8,842 grant to train staff and volunteers to improve their knowledge of infant mental health and how to support parents to cope with any issues at home.
Newry and District Gateway Club is using a £9,578 grant to install a new stage in their main hall. The stage will be portable, have built in storage and disability access. The project will allow group members, who have learning disabilities, to use the stage safely and also to hire the performance space to other groups.
Sticky Fingers Arts, based in Newry, are using a £10,000 grant to run creative activities for vulnerable people to reduce isolation. The project will focus on older people, adults with a learning disability, and people with poor mental health.
Funding Recipients throughout District
Young at Heart, based in Bessbrook, are using a £9,966 grant to run weekly walking trips for older people, to reduce isolation.
Lissummon District Men's Shed, based outside Newry, are using a £10,000 grant to build a shed which will provide a place to socialise, create new friendships and learn new skills.
The Fews Community Association, based in Newtownhamilton, is using a £3,305 grant to produce souvenirs and run three events to celebrate His Majesty The King’s Coronation. The events will bring people together to build relationships and reduce isolation.
The Fiddler’s Green Festival in Rostrevor is using a £2,800 to expand their festival programme to include environmental and wellbeing activities. The project will increase awareness of environmental issues and their impact on the local community and increase community engagement in environmental projects.
Rural Health Partnership in Cullyhanna are using a £10,000 grant to run a social group for older male farmers. The project will support them make connections and promote positive mental health.
Newry/ Aghaderg, Donaghmore and Scarva/ St Bartholomew/ Donaghmore/ Down and Dromore/Church of Ireland used a £5,000 grant to hold a community event on 7 May 2023 to mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation. The event promoted community spirit and provided an opportunity for people to socialise and reconnect.
Good Morning Down is using a £10,000 grant to reduce isolation and loneliness for the people they support, including older and vulnerable people living on their own. The project will buy equipment. provide a newsletter and organise social events to help people feel connected to the community.
Legananny Accordion Band, based outside Rathfriland, is using a £7,770 grant to buy equipment and provide educational, social and health activities for the the local community.
Finnis Rural Development Association used a £1,400 grant to run two events to mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation. This included a children's disco for their Scottish Dancing group to enjoy with their families and a tea dance for older people in the area.
Dromara Masonic Lodge No. 498 is using a £10,000 grant to upgrade the electrical system at their hall to ensure it is safe for local community groups to use for activities.
Downpatrick Cricket Club used a £7,300 grant to host a family fun day to mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation. The event promoted community integration for new families in the area, with food from around the world, children’s activities and games.
Downpatrick and District Anglers Association, which is based at Loughinisland Lake, is using a £1,000 grant to buy an Automated External Defibrillator to ensure the safety of group members if a medical emergency occurs.
Crossgar War Memorial Community Hall Committee used a £9,200 grant to hold a family fun day to celebrate His Majesty The King’s Coronation. The event included a live stream of the Coronation ceremony and outdoor activities.
Claragh Bridge Vintage Club, outside Castlewellan, used a £4,750 grant to hold a Coronation Tractor Fest on 8 May 2023 to mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation. The event included a display of vintage tractors, machinery and equipment, linking their year of manufacture to key dates in the royal family history. The event brought people together to celebrate, learn and build relationships.
Brackenagh Busy Bees Playgroup, based outside Kilkeel, are using a £10,000 grant to extend staff hours and buy equipment so they can run additional activities for children and improve learning.
Ballymartin Community Group are using a £9,080 grant to buy IT equipment and organise activities for older people in the community. The project will bring people together and ensure members are actively engaged in a weekly activity.
ADHD Parent Support Group in Newcastle is using a £109,140 grant to expand the support they provide for children, families and adults with ADHD and autistic spectrum disorders. Over three years the project will provide opportunities at their hub in Newcastle for parents to attend support groups, make connections and have some respite, and young people will be able to boost their confidence by volunteering in the café, attending training and having fun with their peers. Activities will also include an art club, volunteer team building, seasonal events, activities for carers, support groups for siblings and development of additional support for adults awaiting a diagnosis.
Killyleagh Community Association is using a £5,900 grant to hold a three-day summer festival to bring people together to celebrate His Majesty The King’s Coronation. Activities include water sports, a quiz and a drama performance in Killyleagh Castle.
Killough Youth and Community Hall are using a £10,000 grant to make improvements to the grounds around the community hall to allow it to be used for activities. The project includes repairing the stone wall, repositioning trees, planting flowers and levelling the grass area.
Mourne U3A, based in Kilkeel, is using a £6,629 grant to buy equipment and run activities for members to improve wellbeing and reduce isolation. Activities include informative talks, workshops and day trips.
Royal British Legion, Ballynahinch Branch, used a £1,400 grant to host a celebration event in their hall for His Majesty The King’s Coronation. The event provided refreshments and a live stream of the Coronation ceremony to bring people into their premises and showcase their facilities for future activities.
Schomberg Society Kilkeel used a £10,000 grant to celebrate His Majesty The King’s Coronation over 5-7 May 2023. Activities brought the community together to enjoy entertainment, a cookery event and a tree planting ceremony.
Search and Rescue Dog Association is using an £8,700 grant to buy PPE equipment for dog handlers to ensure they are protected while assisting emergency services in searching for missing persons.
Slievenaman Women's Institute in Newcastle is using a £1,339 grant to organise an outing for members. The project will improve their spirits and reduce isolation for the women who are socialising less due to the cost-of-living crisis.
St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel are using a £10,000 grant to run evening classes for adults to build their skills and make connections. Classes include art, cooking, ICT, creative writing and first aid.
The funding announcement comes in the same month as The National Lottery Community Fund unveiled its new strategy ‘It starts with community,’ which outlines its funding priorities from now to 2030 -www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/about/our-strategy
Paul Sweeney, NI Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “We fund projects that matter to communities, and I’m delighted to see such a wide range of groups awarded, each making such a difference across Northern Ireland.
“We want to get behind communities and help them make the difference on the ground. Our existing grant programmes remain open, so if we can be of assistance, please contact us.
“These funded projects demonstrate how positive change ‘starts with community’, which is at the heart of our new strategy. We look forward to talking to those who receive or need funding as we develop our future programmes.”
Thanks to National Lottery players, during the last financial year, The National Lottery Community Fund awarded 663 new grants totalling £27.9 million to support local communities in NI.
For more information on National Lottery funding visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
