The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded funding to organisations in the Derry/Londonderry area.
This is part of wider announcement of over £10.5 million across Northern Ireland, including grass roots community organisations delivering vital activities to local people to reduce isolation and build connections, to larger NI-wide charities delivering a range of support tackling issues relating to domestic violence, bereavement and addiction.
HURT (Have Your Tomorrows) is one of the local groups receiving funding.
They are using a £456,734 grant to provide a long-term recovery programme for people experiencing drug addiction in the North West.
Over four years the project will deliver counselling, group support sessions, training opportunities and therapies, to improve their health, reduce drink/drug related incidents, and restore family relationships.
The project will also provide after care support and advice to help people re-build connections in the community, access welfare, and gain volunteering positions or employment.
Derry Well Women has been awarded an £18,970 grant over one year to run support activities for women to improve their wellbeing, build resilience and reduce loneliness.
The project will focus on young mums, older women, women suffering from Long Covid and women living with domestic abuse.
Susan Gibson, Manager, Derry Well Women said: “We are delighted to benefit from this National Lottery funding which will have a wide-reaching and positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our community.
“The grant will allow us to provide 250 hours of activity for over 200 women and 70 children, including additional counselling, post-natal depression and attachment programmes, long covid support, programmes for those living with cancer, and weekly activity sessions for older women.”
Also awarded funding is Cathedral Youth Club which is using a £19,213 grant over one year to run activities for young people, including craft workshops, mental health training, environment classes, cookery sessions, day trips and events.
The project will build skills, increase confidence and improve wellbeing.
Culmore Community Partnership received a £499,000 grant to provide activities, support and events for the residents of Culmore in Derry to build a stronger, more connected community, increase confidence, build friendships, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.
The Rainbow Project in Derry also received a £491,338 grant to deliver a personal and social development programme for LGBTQIA+ young people from across the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane area.
The project will also develop an online platform to gather research from LGBTQAI+ young people about their experiences in Northern Ireland.
Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million a week is raised for good causes like these across the UK, including Drive 105FM Community Radio in Derry/Londonderry.
They are using a £20,000 grant over two years to support the running of the volunteer-led radio station.
The project will provide volunteers with opportunities to develop new skills, learn about local issues and connect with people in the community who listen to the station.
Other organisations being funded include Dayspring Special Community, Dregish Community Group, Koram Centre, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Psycho Social Support, Lisnagelvin Women’s Group, Neighbours United, and Our Time.
Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “It’s incredible to see this £10.5 million of funding going to the charities, community organisations and voluntary groups which are doing vital work every day to support people in their community.
“We’re proud to invest money raised by people who play the National Lottery back into communities, to strengthen them and improve lives.
“As part of our new strategy ‘It starts with community’, we’re developing a new large grant programme to continue to reach people most in need which will open in the Autumn.”
For more information on National Lottery funding visit: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/northern-ireland
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