Derry groups take share of £1.8m National Lottery community fund

Cathedral Youth Club, based in Derry, is using a £3,720 grant to support those who are vulnerable in The Fountain community during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing food parcels, creative craft materials, and self-care packs for teenagers.

Rosemount and District Welfare Rights Group, based in Derry, is using a £6,000 grant to run a series of online challenges for residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is running for 12 weeks over the summer months to increase connectivity, tackle social isolation, mental well-being and foster community spirit.

Shantallow Community Residents Association, based in Derry, is using a £5,000 grant to provide health and well-being resource packs to young people in the area and activity packs for families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The packs include important information, access to online resources as well as interactive games and activities to complete during the lockdown period. Sion Mills Community Association is using a £3,580 grant to maintain community spirit and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing activity packs for older people and families in the area, to encourage them to get creative and stay engaged during lockdown.

Waterside Theatre Company is using a £7,920 grant to run a remote community arts project to improve mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project includes visual arts and crafts, music, movement and storytelling workshops for local care homes as well as creative writing, singing, dancing and other activities to children, teenagers and adults across the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “The projects funded today all demonstrate the strength of their members and communities and the importance of staying connected with each other in these unprecedented times. It’s inspiring to see all these groups, staff and volunteers rising to the challenges of COVID-19. These awards, made possible by National Lottery players, recognise the incredible work happening across Northern Ireland. National Lottery players can be proud to know that money they raise by buying tickets is continuing to make such a difference.”

All National Lottery funded projects can contact their Funding Officer if they need advice or have any questions about their grant. Full updates from the organisation regarding our response to COVID-19, information on applying for grants and general contact details can be found on www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.