Community groups scoop £115k in Christmas funding

The National Lottery Community Fund announced the giveaway this week for groups to tackle local issues.

The money is to be used to help deal with the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and improving health and well-being over the Christmas period.

One of the groups which has received funding is Dialogue for Diversity, which works with foreign nationals living in Portadown.

They are using a £7,268 grant to provide dinners and activity/support packs to families in need and isolated older people on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Chrysalis Women’s Centre, based in Craigavon, is using a £9,100 grant to improve their garden area and buy a polytunnel so they can provide more activities and increase accessibility. The project will reduce isolation, improve mental health, increase learning opportunities and provide extra support for people who are recovering from COVID-19.

The Goal Line Youth Trust in Portadown is to receive £10k to help refurbish their toilet block to ensure COVID-19 hygiene advice can be followed. They will lower sinks and install automatic soap dispensers so children and wheelchair users can safely take part in activities to improve their health and wellbeing.

Other groups in the area awarded a Christmas funding boost are: Richmount Rural Community Association, ABC Community Network, The Right Key, City of Armagh Cricket Club, Clonmore Regeneration Group Limited, Bleary Busy Bees Pre-School, Annahinchago Rural Development Association, The Goal Line Youth Trust, Grace Community Church Ltd, The 1825 Project Limited, Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon Senior Network, NI Hyatt Ltd, and Killtown LOL 113.

The 1825 Project Limited is based in Craigavon and is using a £10k grant to provide physical and well-being activity sessions for young people aged 18-23. The sessions will run online and in small groups following guidelines to improve fitness, reduce isolation and increase personal development for young people who have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

The NI Hyatt Ltd is a social enterprise based in Craigavon. It is using a £10k grant to support the local refugee and migrant community to settle and integrate. The project includes delivering signposting clinics online and face to face, information sessions on topics of common interest such as universal credit, integration and well-being clinics, intergenerational workshops and fitness sessions.

Clann Eireann Youth Club, based in Lurgan, also received a £9,090 grant to support local people and families over the winter who need extra help due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will improve health and wellbeing, especially over the Christmas period by providing food hampers, fuel, blankets and bed linen.

Kate Beggs, NI Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “It’s great to see such a diverse range of projects being funded to help people stay connected and healthy. We know that even a small amount of money can really make a big difference. All of these groups are rising to the challenges of COVID-19.”

To speak to someone about funding contact 028 4378 0003, [email protected] or visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/northern-ireland

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