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Fourteen community groups in Newry, Mourne and Down have benefited from funding from The National Lottery Community Fund following their latest announcement.
Funding totaling £159,269 has been granted to the 14 groups as part of an overall announcement of £4,693,921 of grants benefiting 128 projects across Northern Ireland.
One of those groups announced is Four Orange Thursday Club. They are using a £53,817 grant to support older people from farming backgrounds in South Armagh. Over three years activities will include walking groups, residentials, lunch clubs and Tea Dances in Newtownhamilton, Aughnagurgan and Knockavannon Orange Halls. The project will reduce isolation, improve opportunities to build friendships and improve activity levels and wellbeing in older people.
ADHD Parent Support Group, based in Newcastle, is using a £6,215 grant to provide a programme of activities tailored to the needs of children with ADHD and their families. The project will improve the emotional wellbeing and independence of the children and promote positive family relationships.
Atticall Community Association is using a £10,000 grant to replace the boiler at the group’s community centre. This will help them support more people with the centre available for use all year round.
Autism Support Kilkeel is using £10,000 to provide music, equine and swim therapies for children and young people with autism or additional needs. This will help them express themselves in a healthy way, improve their wellbeing and general life skills.
Bridge Women's Group, based in Mayobridge, is using a £10,000 grant to run a series of activities and trips for older women in the community. This project will improve wellbeing and help women make connections.
Dorsey Emmetts Gaelic Football Club, based near Cullyhanna, is using a £5,210 grant to purchase a defibrillator, deliver first aid training and hold a family-fun weekend and other activities. The project will benefit the whole community, create connections and promote learning from one another.
Drumaness Cross Community Playgroup is using a £9,670 grant to run a breakfast club for the pre-school children attending the playgroup. The project will help support local families who are affected by increasing cost of living.
Fiddlers Green Festival based in Rostrevor received a £3,000 grant for art exhibitions, workshops and music inspired by local environmental issues as part of their well-established festival. The project aimed to increase awareness and improve the wellbeing of people living in or visiting the area.
Harry’s Place CIC based in Ballynahinch is using a £10,000 grant to upgrade catering equipment for providing training opportunities to its members. The project will empower adults with a learning disability and provide them with support to help them get into employment.
Kilkeel Charitable Trust is using a £7,500 grant to begin the process of turning a listed building into a multi-purpose community hub. The project will also allow community groups and volunteers to learn about building conditions, energy efficiency and environmental impact.
Mayobridge Men’s Shed is using a £10,000 grant to set up a community garden and workshop space. The project will help to bring local older men together, form new friendships, and improve their wellbeing.
Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association is using a £5,787 grant to deliver a community fun day and purchase equipment to deliver future events which will bring the community together, improving wellbeing.
Peak Health and Mind CIC is using a £8,320 grant to run two pilot physical activity programmes for men aged 40+ in the Newry and Slieve Gullion areas. This will support mental and physical wellbeing of local men affected by the pandemic through loss of income and increased anxiety.
Strangford Festival Committee received a grant of £9,750 to help provide a safe environment at their four-day summer community festival. The money was used for insurance, signage, equipment and entertainment, promoting wellbeing within the Strangford and wider area.
Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million a week is raised for good causes with the majority awarded as small grants. Of the 128 grants awarded today, 116 are for under £10,000, going to every Council area across Northern Ireland, making a difference in communities.
Welcoming the announcement Paul Sweeney, The National Lottery Community Fund’s NI Chair, said: “Congratulations to all the groups announced today. I’m proud to see the impact our funded projects are having in people’s lives and across communities in Northern Ireland.
“We continue to be here for organisations as they face challenges and will work to ensure that funding reaches those who need it as quickly as possible.”
Communities across Northern Ireland can also apply for grants to support activity through a range of funding programmes. This includes The People’s Projects, a partnership with UTV which is open until Friday 7th October, where groups could win up to £70k.
For more information visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
