Groups across Down kick-start the new decade with a £190,000 grants boost from the National Lottery.
Community groups across Northern Ireland are celebrating an exciting start to the new year after being awarded £3.7million of grants from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Shopmobility Newry is among those groups in Newry, Mourne and Down sharing more than £250,000. The group are using a £10,000 grant to purchase new mobility scooters for people who wish to shop and socialise in Newry City Centre. The project supports those who have a mobility difficulty and their carers, giving them more independence.
Jane Kelly, Manager of Shopmobility Newry, said; “The National Lottery Community Fund is helping to bring smiles to faces in Newry. Getting out and about, meeting friends and socialising is so important. We are so excited that we will be able to get some new scooters and want to say a big thank you to all National Lottery players.”
Banbridge Lipreading Group is using a £9,766 grant to deliver lip reading and basic signing courses for people living in the Banbridge, Portadown and Lurgan areas.
Down Right Brilliant is using a £10,000 to run a weekly youth club in Newry for children and adults with Down Syndrome and their siblings.
Gap O’ North Walking Group, based in Jonesborough, is using a grant of £9,100 to encourage more people to become involved in the walking group. They are using the funding to support new leaders, purchase equipment, maps, compasses, mountain safety gear and to support social activity.
Naomh Mochai Cumann Gaelach Crois Dharach/Tonaghneave Irish language group, based in Darragh Cross, is using a £2,360 grant to run Irish language classes and traditional music classes for the local community and people from neighbouring villages.
Rostrevor Men’s Shed is using a £9,480 grant to buy a portacabin to increase the size of the premises to accommodate the growing numbers of men attending. The portacabin is being used as a finishing and assembly workshop.
Silvery Light Sailing, based in Newry, is using a £9,750 grant to employ a Project Co-ordinator for The Volharding Project. The Volharding is a sail training vessel which can be used by various members of the community for sail training and cultural activities.
Downpatrick Autism Family Support Group is using a grant of £9,939 to deliver a series of activities for children with autism and their parents/carers.
Also receiving funding is Age Concern Network of Newcastle and District, Ballinacraig Community Association, Finnis Rural Development Association, New Town Together, Newry Felons Association, Puzzles Playgroup, The Masonic Lodge, St Columban’s Primary School Parents’ Support Group and Children’s Law Centre.
In the North Down and Ards area, groups also benefitted from the Lottery windfall.
The Donaghadee Sailing Club is among the groups in Northern Ireland sharing more than £3.7million. The group are using a £10,000 grant to help purchase two outboard engines to upgrade its safety boats for the benefit of all those using the water.
The Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland: Portaferry WI is using a £7,957 grant to fund activities to mark their 85th anniversary. Activities include an anniversary dinner, outings, hosting BBC Radio Ulster Gardeners Corner and in conjunction with Portaferry in Bloom planting raised flower beds in the town in the colours of the WI.
Bangor Foodbank and Community Support provides emergency food and referrals for people in crisis in North Down. They are using a £10,000 grant to fund the salary of the foodbank manager to ensure the service continues.
Home-Start North Down, based in Bangor, is using a £9,800 grant to deliver programmes for families who need practical and emotional support. These activities develop and enhance household management skills, emotional regulation and parenting skills for families.
Little Doves childcare centre, based in Newtownards, is using a £3,685 grant to replace the disability entrance and exit ramps at the centre. This will enable safe access to the premises.
Northern Ireland Museums Council, based in Holywood, is using a grant of £9,585 to put on the play Baby Daddy to encourage relationship building between babies and fathers. The project involves 36 performances across museums in Northern Ireland.
The Whitehill Community Association, based in Bangor, is using a £9,275 grant to deliver an intergenerational programme of activities, as well as IT classes and health and well-being activities in the local community.
Also receiving funding is The Children’s Law Centre (CLC).
Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Director: said: “Our experience of working with communities is that when you listen, people have amazing ideas to make things better. What a fantastic way to start the new year by announcing these grants which are helping fund amazing projects throughout Northern Ireland. It is great to see the diverse work being done through projects funded by National Lottery money.
“Whether it’s small pots of funding or larger grants, people are being brought together to make good things happen and change lives. When people take the lead and develop their own great ideas, communities really do thrive. I want to say thanks to all the National Lottery players who have helped make this possible.”
“Whether it’s small pots of funding or larger grants, people are being brought together to make good things happen and change lives. When people take the lead and develop their own great ideas, communities really do thrive. I want to say thanks to all the National Lottery players who have helped make this possible.”
For a full list of grants awarded across Northern Ireland visit: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2020-01-22/national-lottery-funding-supports-victims-of-domestic-violence-and-improves-mental-health
For more information on applying for National Lottery funding, please visit our website:
If you have an idea you would like to discuss or need guidance please call us on 028 9055 1455 or email:
