National Lottery grants awarded in Newry, Mourne and Down as new multi-million pound funding programme announced


The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded over £500,000 to 10 organisations in the Newry, Mourne and Down areas in their latest round of funding, helping improve the lives of people of all ages and abilities.
1st Dromore Newry Scout Group are using an £11,100 grant to refurbish the kitchen in their hall to make it more accessible for the young people to learn cookery and hygiene skills.
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Hide AdBarcroft Community Association in Newry is using a £17,000 grant over two years to run activities and events for the whole community. The project includes wellbeing programmes, Christmas events and a youth leadership programme to bring people together and build community spirit.
Burren Community Forum is using a £20,000 grant to make improvements to their toilet facilities, distribute a weekly newsletter and fund staff costs. The project will make the building more accessible for activities and reduce isolation.
Newry Felons Association is using a £12,995 grant over two years to buy equipment and make improvements to their community garden. The project will expand the allotment area and develop a planting area for local schools and community organisations to visit and learn about gardening, sustainability and the environment.
The Loose Women, based in Whitecross, are using a £6,870 grant over two years to buy equipment and run a wellbeing programme for older women. Activities include Tai Chi, chair-based exercises and day trips. The project will bring people together to reduce rural isolation and improve mental and physical health.
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Hide AdThree Ways Community Association, based in Newry, is using a £20,000 grant over two years to run activities and events to improve the lives of the local community. The project will provide learning opportunities, personal development, wellbeing trips, social activities and inter-generational work.
These grant awards come as The National Lottery Community Fund announced a new multi-million pound funding programme, ‘Strengthening Communities,’ to support people in greatest need, investing £20 million each year across Northern Ireland.
Strengthening Communities is different from previous programmes delivered by The Fund, as it will award grants to projects that focus on preventing problems before they arise and prioritise those experiencing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. It will also support people to fulfil their potential, be more involved in their communities and improve their lives.
This new programme comes from The Fund’s strategy to 2030, ‘It starts with community,’ and will start by targeting two of its mission areas: help children and young people thrive and enable people to live healthier lives.
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Hide AdMulti-year grants of up to £500,000 will be available and it will open to applications on Monday 21 October 2024. Organisations applying will be expected to show how their project has made a difference and how they will measure that impact.
Paul Sweeney, Northern Ireland Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, announcing this new programme, said: “We’re delighted to launch Strengthening Communities, which takes the best of what we’ve done before and builds on our work to make communities stronger, healthier and more inclusive.
“We want to fund projects, led by communities, that focus on early intervention and building strength – equipping people with the skills, networks and resources to protect them from adverse experiences and break negative cycles. We know that this type of preventative support works best.
“I want to pay tribute to all the National Lottery funded projects, like these awarded in Newry, Mourne and Down, that continue to step up for communities to support people in need. We look forward to working with them and seeing what can be achieved.”
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Hide AdThis year marks 30 years since the first National Lottery draw in 1994, and thanks to those who play the games and raise £30 million for good causes each week, £786 million has been awarded to communities across Northern Ireland over this time.
Groups with ideas for funding are encouraged to get in touch to discuss their idea on 028 9055 1455 or email [email protected].
For more information on all funding available from The National Lottery Community Fund visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/NorthernIreland.
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