National Lottery Charities Board Northern Ireland

Small Grants reach far and wide

Large numbers of recent successes under the small grants programme in Northern Ireland meant that the Charities Board held two small grants announcements this October.

In October, a total of 114 small charities and community groups from across Northern Ireland celebrated the fact that they were sharing almost �430,000 of Charities Board funding.

The recipients learned of their awards at two separate presentations. The first, at the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve centre at Lough Neagh, near Lurgan marked the success of 53 groups in their bids for funding. The event was attended by the Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Fred Crowe who congratulated the groups on the commitment they show to their work, much of which is done in a voluntary capacity.

A second event was held at a presentation at the new ECOS Millennium Environmental Centre at Ballymena where a further 61 groups learned of their awards.

Noel Stewart, Chairman of the National Lottery Charities Board, Northern Ireland Committee told the recipients that the grants were intended to recognise and further their worthy efforts to 'make a difference' to the lives of the many people for whom they cared.

The Director for the Charities Board in Northern Ireland, Ann McLaughlin, told the recipients at the presentation: "We hope these grants will not only enable you to extend and develop the invaluable work you do in your local communities, but be seen as a sign of official appreciation for all you do to help bind those communities together and help them retain a sense of belonging and identity."

Among those receiving grants were groups involved in the provision of care and recreation facilities for the young, older people and for people with disabilities.

Shopmobility, Ballymena were awarded �5,000 to help research the feasibility of establishing a shopmobility transportation scheme for disabled people in the town. 1st Moyola Scout Group, Castledawson were awarded �780 for the purchase of a mess tent for camping activities and Friendly Club for the Deaf, Banbridge have received �5,000 for equipment and expenses of volunteers.

One of the last groups to receive an award under the Small Grants millennium festival awards scheme was Crossgar Community Association who received �1,715 to run a community festival and fund training in circus skills, art workshops and festival entertainment. This millennium fund, however, is now closed.

The Small Grants scheme awards grants of up to �5,000 to eligible small voluntary and community groups with an annual income of not more than �15,000. These grants are simpler to apply for than the main grants programme and are available for a wide range of projects.

Further information and application packs can be obtained by calling the dedicated Application Line on 08457 919191 or by calling the Enquiries Officer on 028 9055 1455.