Community groups in Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Lurgan, Portadown and Newry are celebrating after being awarded grants from The National Lottery Community Fund just in time for Christmas.
Step by Step is among those groups in Northern Ireland sharing more than £2.8million.
The group based in Portadown, runs One Eighty restaurant that gives training opportunities to young people with a physical or learning disability, helping them into employment in the hospitality industry.
They are using a £10,000 grant to purchase equipment and employ a project co-ordinator and a baker for the restaurant.
Armagh Child Contact Centre provides a safe, neutral and fun meeting place for separated families.
The group are using a £3,477 grant for training volunteers, hall hire, soft furnishings and materials for activities to create a welcoming environment to support interaction and strengthen family ties.
Lily’s Craft Attic, based in Portadown, is using a £9,750 grant to fund their Craft Yourself Happy Programme over 40 weeks. The programme provides accessible crafting opportunities to help reduce social isolation in the area.
Westenders Older People’s Group, based in Armagh, is using a £10,000 grant for their Westenders Combating Isolation Project, to provide opportunities for older residents such as tea-dances, cross-community events, exercise, outings, volunteering and local talks, helping to maintain good health and well-being.
Ballymacormick Rural Community Association, based outside Dromore, is using a £9,575 grant to create off road parking and a multipurpose outdoor area next to the group’s venue, Ballymacormick Orange Hall.
The funding is also supporting a summer fun day and an older people’s Christmas party.
Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Director, said: “I am delighted to announce these grants. It is great to see the amazing and diverse work being done through projects funded by National Lottery money. When people take the lead and develop their own great ideas, communities really do thrive.
“Whether it’s small pots of funding or larger grants, people are being brought together to make good things happen and change lives. I want to say thanks to all the National Lottery players who have helped make this possible.”
For a full list of grants awarded visit: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-12-16/christmas-comes-early-for-community-groups-across-northern-ireland-sharing-2-8million-of-national-lottery-funding#notes
For more information on applying for National Lottery funding, please visit our website www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk. If you have an idea you would like to discuss or need guidance please call us on 028 9055 1455 or email enquiries.ni@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.
