First round of New Needs Funding awarded to sixteen groups

10 Jul 2020

In response to coronavirus and the changing needs within communities, our New Needs Fund awarded £85,000 to sixteen communities throughout Northern Ireland this week. 

The fund offers up to £15,000 to support voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to address new needs appearing as a result of the Coronavirus and to find new ways of meeting existing needs. 

As we begin to move out of lockdown and start to think about how to build back better, the New Needs Fund is the Foundations next phase of support for communities to get them back up and running, rebuilding community confidence and connecting communities together again. 

Mae Murray Foundation, an organisation that works to support carers and the individuals they are caring for, supporting all ages and abilities to take part in activities, experience the world and enjoy friendship together in an inclusive environment. Awarded £15,000 to set up a much-needed equipment loan scheme.  Families can borrow equipment such as all-terrain chairs suited for beach or forest walks, play, access equipment at the time of need and have more opportunities to be independent’

Alix Crawford, Mae Murry Foundation Chairperson, “As the lockdown restrictions have started to ease and people start to return to normal life, our community of higher-risk individuals are still isolated and many have said that they will be isolating for many months to come, unsure about the ‘end of shielding date’ whilst the virus is still out there.” 

“Our first phase of activities was all about learning and play at home, our second phase of activities is outdoor participation sessions for young people to take part in a safe environment, where social distancing is maintained. This funding through the Community Foundation will help us to adapt and support individuals of all ages and abilities to take part in activities, experience the world and enjoy friendship together again

Andrew McCracken, CEO of Community Foundation for Northern Ireland explains,

“As we begin to think about the future and how we can help communities, we are supporting them to deliver on action-orientated, community-led responses to coronavirus.”

“Communities have quickly adapted to the new challenges brought around from Covid19 rallying to support those most vulnerable. Emerging from lockdown, communities are faced with new challenges on how to adapt and continue to deliver their services in this new situation. The New Needs Fund provides funding to help them do just this, creating a safe environment for communities to rebuild.” 

Apply for the New Needs Fund here.