103 Communities across NI supported with New Needs

19 Aug 2020

Our  New Needs Fund was set up to support communities to respond better and address new needs appearing in the community as a result of the Coronavirus. With restrictions because of coronavirus,  groups and organisations found ways of delivering services to their existing communities whilst also in many cases responding to rising demands for support. (Please note the New Needs Fund is now closed)

 We were delighted to be able to award over £1m and reach 103 communities but we could not have done without the amazing response of local people across NI. 

Back in the game, founded in 2017, as part of a wider Irish Football Association initiative to promote physical and mental wellbeing among 55+ age group in the Ballymena area, was awarded £5,773 through the Fund. 

“Our Community consists mostly of men in the 55 – 75 age group which has been recognised as being particularly vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus. Many of our members have indicated that they are reluctant, on health grounds to return to the group, if and when we are permitted to re-convene. This has the potential to undo several years of progress in improving the general health and mental well-being of those members.”

“Funding enabled us to adapt, providing one-to-one IT training for members of our community so we could keep in touch, share information and videos from exercise programmes and invite online guest speakers on various topics.” 

“This training not only encouraged these members to keep in contact with us until such times as they feel confident enough to return to our physical program but will also add to their personal skill set, equipping them to become more aware of and integrate better into the modern online world of shopping, banking and social media communication.”

Robin McClintock, Chairman. 

Orla Black, Grants Director “We are thrilled to have such an amazing response to the New Needs Fund with so many community groups passionate about supporting others and making a lasting impact. Communities are starting to plan ways of returning to their normal activities, the New needs Fund supports them to do this in a safe way in line with government guidelines.” 

Below Back In The Game team members.