Four Derry groups share in over £500,000 in Lottery funding

The National Lottery Community Fund has announced £528,551 of funding to four organisations in Derry who are helping improve mental and physical health, and providing welfare support and employment skills to local people.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Nov 2020, 08:18 BST
Updated 17th Nov 2020, 08:19 BST
GOOD MORNING NORTH WEST... DECEMBER 2018: Group pictured at the relaunch of ‘Good Morning North West’ - one of the recipients of the new funding - at its Brookdale Park premises in Galliagh. The pioneering service was set up to provide reassurance to older and vulnerable people of all ages in the community through the use of daily phone calls and support. DER4918GS033GOOD MORNING NORTH WEST... DECEMBER 2018: Group pictured at the relaunch of ‘Good Morning North West’ - one of the recipients of the new funding - at its Brookdale Park premises in Galliagh. The pioneering service was set up to provide reassurance to older and vulnerable people of all ages in the community through the use of daily phone calls and support. DER4918GS033
GOOD MORNING NORTH WEST... DECEMBER 2018: Group pictured at the relaunch of ‘Good Morning North West’ - one of the recipients of the new funding - at its Brookdale Park premises in Galliagh. The pioneering service was set up to provide reassurance to older and vulnerable people of all ages in the community through the use of daily phone calls and support. DER4918GS033

Among those groups receiving funding is Liberty Consortium who are using a £500,000 grant to run their ‘Ready, Steady, Go’ project over the next four years, providing vocational training and work experience for young people, aged 16-25 years, with learning disabilities and autism from the Derry & Strabane area.

Project Co-ordinator, Sharon Tosh, said: “I am so excited to be part of this wonderful project, to be able to offer young people the opportunity to gain real life and work experience. The main challenges faced by our young people is isolation, loneliness, and mental health concerns.

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“They want to have relationships, make friends and have a social life with their peers and to lead a ‘normal’ life. This project puts young people front and centre of their local community, helping them develop new skills which can then be used in the working world. This funding will also support a social health and well-being programme delivered on evenings and weekends that supports our young people’s mental and physical well-being and keeps them connected with friends and their community.”

Foyle Women’s Information Network is using a £10,000 grant to provide online tutorials addressing woman’s mental health and physical health, reducing the sense of isolation and stress as a result of COVID-19, and to highlight the importance of keeping a healthy mind and regular routine.

Drumahoe Childcare Limited is using a £10,000 grant to extend, kit out and resurface their outside area, so that it is safe for children to play outdoors in line with COVID-19 guidelines.

Good Morning North West in Derry meanwhile is using a £8,551 grant to provide free welfare rights and housing advice, and to connect and support local people.

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Kate Beggs, NI Director of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “People know best what is needed in their area and we want to talk to anyone who has an idea or wants more information on funding, large or small, to support their community.”

Anyone who would like to talk about an idea or apply for funding can contact the Community Fund 02843780003 or visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/northern-ireland.

Related topics:DerryNational Lottery Community Fund