Groups get lottery windfall

The small grants programme is awarding over 35,000 to the local groups as part of a grants roll-out of 287,974 to 35 groups across Northern Ireland.

Awards for All offers community, voluntary and statutory groups the chance to apply for small grants of between 500 and 10,000 that will have a big impact on local communities and the lives of people most in need.

Lurgan YMCA, which runs a range of activities and events to improve the health, education, confidence and esteem of young people in the area, will use the grant to run a youth programme.

Dollingstown Ulster Scots Cultural and Heritage Society, which works to increase people knowledge and appreciation of Ulster Scots, will use the grant to develop their premises so they can run a wider range of activities.

Lough Road Learning Centre, a Lurgan-based organisation supporting young people aged 11-14 from the Southern Education and Library Board area who are not attending school because they have emotional and behavioural difficulties, has been awarded a grant of 9,633.

The grant will be used to create a vegetable allotment on a derelict area of land beside the organisation’s Lough Road building where young people can take part in lessons, learn how to work and communicate with others, gain new skills, and improve their self-esteem.

“The staff here are professionally trained to provide support for young people with emotional and behavioural problems,” said Behavioural Assistant, Joan Ward.

“For instance, we have some pupils who have ADHD and they find it difficult to cope in a large secondary school environment, there are young people who have been suspended from school for causing trouble, or young people who are having problems with alcohol, or solvent and drug abuse.

“We help them to continue their education by giving them a normal routine and classes like English, maths and science. And we also work with the young people who come here to make sure the help them deal with their issues so they can fit back into school again.”

Joan explained that the young people will be involved in all aspects of the allotment project. “They’ll help develop the plans, plant and care for the veg, and then sell it on to business in the local community,”

She continued: “The allotment will give the young people involved the chance to get involved in a constructive project. They will be learning to work as part of a team, to manage projects, take orders and solve problems, and to see a project through from start to finish.

“For many of the young people this might be the first time they have had the chance to see a project through. And they’ll also learn how to run a small scale business and make a profit.

“Any money made will go back into the upkeep of the project in future years. It’ll be a great way to improve the young people’s skills, get them outside and into the fresh air, and build their self esteem and confidence.”

Frank Hewitt, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s NI Awards for All programme funds health, education, environment and community projects that help people bring about positive change in their lives, improve health and well-being, develop skills and create safer communities.

“The application process is simple and accessible and shall remain so, making it easy for applicants to successfully apply for small pots of funding that can have such a big impact on local communities and lives.”

Application forms and guidance notes are available to download at www.awardsforall.org.uk.

For more details call 9055 1455, or e-mail [email protected]