The chairman of a Banbridge charitable community initiative has spoken of the “unrealistic hoops” organisations like his are made to jump through to obtain ABC Council funding.
Paul McKitterick, of Banbridge Men’ Shed, took to social media to voice his distain after being “refused” funding through Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC) “for the second time”.
The Shed was founded back in 2023 and – like all Men’s Sheds – it was designed to help “re-socialise more mature members of society, that have become marginalised by technology and modern norms’” and provide an overarching sense of community.
They are open to all men who wish to participate in classes and training, physical activity, crafting, DIY projects and who generally wish to broaden their knowledge across a wide range of topics.
In May 2024, the men behind the Shed launched a fundraising effort to help get their project off the ground. They also managed to secure some funding through Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s TAK£500 project fund in 2023.
They had been encouraged by the support in early days. However, the succeeding years have been proving less fruitful.
Now Paul has publicly aired his frustrations, asking the additional question of how other councils support their local charities.
He said: “I am so proud to be chairman of Banbridge Men’s Shed. Anyone who knows me knows that I put my heart and soul into this, but I want to talk about the unrealistic hoops ABC Council make you jump through to receive funding compared to other councils who pride themselves on supporting THEIR local charities.
“In this day and age when the NHS can’t cope, GP surgeries try but fail and there is a total lack of any support for our most vulnerable people, the charities are the only service that these people have access to.
“Other councils in Northern Ireland have realised this and work with the charities.”
Paul acknowledges that several local councillors have acted as their “biggest supporters” and those same representatives “work tirelessly” for their local area, and for that he thanks them all “from the bottom of my heart”.
After speaking with other charities in the area, Paul says he feels “ABC council promotes itself by saying how much good they do in our area funding charities” ,but believes “they make the funding forms as complicated as possible on purpose to deter charities from asking for funding”.
He added: “So many charities are forced to seek funding elsewhere because the funding forms at ABC are unrealistic and so complicated that it is having an adverse effect on the mental health of the people who try to fill these forms in.
“I know this detrimental effect on the people filling the forms in is 100% accurate and I don’t say that lightly.”
Paul claims that ABC Council wanted members of the Shed to “stand in Banbridge town centre and do a survey to see how much a Men’s Shed is needed in our town”, he adds in disbelief, “Yes I am serious, this was what they asked for.
“…Also if you ask for funding for something they will only give you half of that money and expect you to produce the other half of the money. Most charities are non-profit organisations so where does the other half of the money come from?”
Of their role within the Men’s Shed, he continued: “As ex-Ambulance Service I feel that if our mental health charity saves one life it has been worthwhile because it saves that life, but also stops the snowballing effect on the mental health of loved ones left behind.”
Banbridge Men’s Shed say they are now seeking other funding opportunities and will use their “online platform” to talk to as many charities as possible in the ABC area for “their experiences” of obtaining funding through ABC Council.
Said Paul: “I won’t be silenced and I will give written accounts of other charities’ experiences.
“As you can see this issue has upset me, because other council areas don’t put the people who try to help the local community in their area through this turmoil.
“Maybe if our local councillors see this they can read it out at the next council meeting and seek advice from other councils in Northern Ireland as to how THEY support charities in THEIR area.”
A spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said: “Since 2015, the Council has awarded 5,293 grants totalling £10,286,285 to support community and voluntary sector groups across the Borough. We are proud of the key role this funding plays in enabling groups to deliver valuable supports and activities.
“In recent months we have worked to make our grant guidance clearer, improve the online platform and increase the direct support available to groups. Information sessions and 1-2-1 support clinics have been held in November.
“The Community Grants team are available by email or phone to answer questions from applicants. Groups that are unsuccessful are offered feedback for future applications.
“A wider review of our grants programme is underway. We welcome feedback as part of this process and will be providing opportunities for public engagement to inform this review.”
