23 Derry, Strabane & Dungiven projects receive over £300,000 National Lottery funding to support people through COVID crisis.

A range of projects in Derry, Strabane and Dungiven are being funded including those providing food parcels for local families, activity packs for children and residents in nursing homes and mental health support to those who are struggling during the pandemic.

Among those sharing the funding is Men’s Action Network, who are using a £199,343 grant to extend their ‘Fathering Families’ project to provide an Earlier Intervention Behavioural Change Programme (EIBCP) to men and fathers in Derry and across other parts of Northern Ireland.

Michael Lynch from Men’s Action Network said: “During this pandemic, our families are under pressure like never before with changes to money coming in, caring responsibilities and the stress of our lives being turned upside down. This funding will help our early intervention work continue, working with men who are father figures in children’s lives, ultimately helping give them a better start in life. Thanks to National Lottery players for making what we do possible.”

Dove House Community Trust in Derry is using a £4,700 grant to provide vital supplies for local people and to set up ‘Walk around the World,’ a weekly walking challenge during the pandemic.

Clare Maguire, Manager of Youth Services at Dove House said: “We’re really proud of the work that we’re doing to support local people who need help. The Walk Around the World project is really getting everyone motivated, giving them a sense of purpose every day and has drastically improved the emotional well-being of those in the group, including our youth staff.

“Although not together, everyone keeps in touch every day, sharing their step count and motivating each other to keep going as they want their team to reach the end first. We set targets to virtually walk to different places together and learn facts along the way, we have already walked the length of Ireland. Without this sort of fun, a lot of our young people would be spending their days in bed which can have a very negative impact on your mental health. We want to say thank you to National Lottery players for making this all possible.”

For Bláthnaid Kenny and her three-year-old daughter Neala, the project has been a lifeline. She said “Dove House has helped me so much over the last few months. I am a single parent, my daughter was classed as vulnerable so we haven’t been able to leave the house at all since the middle of March, so they have been a massive help to me. Although we’re only able to walk and play in the garden, these walking challenges are what motivate me to get up and get outside and have been such a big help as my mental health was really beginning to struggle being isolated at home.”

Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “Thanks to National Lottery funding, these groups are able to step up to help people and communities through these difficult times. We are here to support them to overcome obstacles in bringing people together and get help to those in need, as well as to think about recovery and longer-term needs.

“We are getting millions out quickly to support communities across the UK during the crisis. It is all thanks to National Lottery players who provide our funding so projects like these can continue their amazing work.”

*St. Canice’s GAC has received a £3,950 grant to support the vulnerable and those most at risk during the COVID-19 crisis in Dungiven, Gortnaghy, Feeney, Park, Claudy and Benedy, by providing food and other essential items. The project improves community cohesion both during the pandemic and moving forwards, helping shape pathways for the future.

*Barron Accordion Band, based in Donemana, is using a £3,000 grant to provide food parcels to older people and isolated families in the area in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The project strengthens community relations and improves mental health and well-being through the coming together to support one another.

*Club Óige Setanta in Derry is using a £3,300 grant to support members of their youth club during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing them with activity packs to complete. The packs encourage young people to be creative and help keep them engaged during this very uncertain time.

*Community Action for Locally Managing Stress (C.A.L.M.S.) in Derry is using a £10,000 grant to support those at high risk of COVID-19 in the North West area including frontline medical staff, by providing insight, knowledge and tools to reduce and manage stress. The group are providing online counselling and other support such as Psychological First Aid, practical problem-solving approaches, worry management, essential coping skills and welfare rights advice, to improve mental health and well-being during the pandemic.

*Curryneirin Community Association is using a £4,250 grant to support families living in Curryneirin and Tullyalley housing estates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project provides learning packs and materials to the most disadvantaged families in the area, so children can continue their learning during this time.

*Dennett Interchange, based in Donemana, is using a £5,070 grant to develop and deliver activity packs for children and older people in the Sperrin DEA in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Kids packs include puzzles, crafts and a COVID-19 time capsule for families to create a keepsake memory of this time, with packs for those over 60 including books and online fun bingo, to help reduce loneliness and isolation.

*Dennett Valley Health Network, based in Donemana, is using a £4,270 grant to provide planting activity packs and a phone call service for residents with underlying health issues in the area during the COVID-19 crisis. Pack include gardening tools, vegetables and flower growing items to encourage residents to get outdoors, helping to improve health and well-being in the area.

*Dove House Community Trust is using a £4,700 grant to support vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing essential items such as hygiene and care packs, light and heating packs, and baby care packages to those involved with the group. They have also set up a virtual walk around the world, ensuring members stay at home, stay connected and active through the walk, providing fun facts of places they visit virtually along the way. The project provides help and support to those struggling due to isolation, addiction and self-worth at this difficult time.

*Eglinton Building Bridges is using a £10,000 grant to run a series of events for those who suffered trauma caused by the troubles. This project helps break down barriers and allows for a greater depth of understanding between those who live in the area, helping to make positive changes in the Eglinton community.

*Glen Area Parent and Toddler Group in Derry is using a £10,000 grant to provide a range of activities tailored for all the family so they can work, play and learn together. Activities include music and dance classes, messy play, singalongs, trips and holiday parties. The project brings people together to get involved in their community, learn new skills and build friendships.

*Glen Development Initiative is using a £10,000 grant to establish a ‘meals on wheels’ initiative that provides hot meals to the most vulnerable and isolated residents in the Foyleside area in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The project helps build relationships amongst neighbours, organisations and the wider community as they unite to protect and support elderly and vulnerable residents during the pandemic.

*Kippie CIC in Derry is using a £750 grant to design and deliver a recruitment video so that students aged 18-29 with learning disabilities and Autism understand the online classes they can attend during the COVID-19 crisis. The project helps more young people reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.

*Lisnafin/Ardnalee/Trust CCDAin Strabane, is using a £4,970 grant to purchase memory, trivia and quiz games to create activity packs for residents, including those living in local nursing homes. The activity packs help bring some calmness and enjoyment during this period of uncertainty, especially for older people who do not have access to the internet or social media platforms.

*Melmount and East Bank Estates Community Associations Forum in Strabane, is using a £5,000 grant to deliver prescriptions and essential food to vulnerable and isolated elderly residents of the seven community association areas in Melmount during the COVID-19 crisis. The project helps reduce social isolation and anxiety by providing essential items they are unable to access, delivered by a local friendly face.

*Men’s Action Network is using a £199,343 grant to extend their ‘Fathering Families’ project to provide an Earlier Intervention Behavioural Change Programme (EIBCP) to men and fathers in Derry, Enniskillen, Dungiven, Magherafelt and Omagh. The additional funding is being used for training, travel and programme delivery.

*Safe (Safer Activities For Everyone) in Strabane, is using a £2,000 grant to deliver PPE, essential food and medical prescriptions to local residents who are isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project helps ease anxiety and fear and helps improve mental health and well-being.

*Strabane & District Caring Services is using a £8,400 to provide heat and electric cards to those self-isolating, on low incomes or in need in the area during the COVID-19 crisis. The group are also establishing sanitiser refill stations across the district, giving residents a 500ml bottle each which they can leave off to get refilled, promoting environmental awareness.

*Tar Abhaile in Derry is using a £4,000 grant to support local families during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing activity resources and materials to some of their most vulnerable members. The group are hosting weekly online sessions to talk through activities which include arts and crafts and gardening, to improve understanding of environmental issues and bio-diversity work.

*Teach na Failte in Strabane, is using a £2,500 grant to deliver activity packs which include mindfulness resources, to provide support to the most vulnerable people in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

*The Koram Centre is using a £6,300 grant to help residents of Strabane and surrounding areas who are struggling to manage anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. The centre is establishing a dedicated ‘listening ear’ service to help those struggling with mood issues and to promote steps to maintain positive mental health and emotional well-being at this time.

*TRIAX is using a £10,000 grant to provide food hampers and fuel vouchers to the most vulnerable residents of the community who are experiencing emotional and financial hardship as a result of this COVID-19 crisis. The project improves health and well-being by reducing additional worries during this time and ensures no one goes without food.

*Triax Social Economy Project Ltd is using a £4,700 grant to provide activity packs for families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The packs which include binoculars, bird boxes arts and crafts supplies, help keep families engaged and provide an educational resource on gardening, environmental issues and bio-diversity work. The group are also hosting weekly online sessions to talk families through the different activities.