Funding boost for local groups

Down’s & Proud, based in Lurgan, is using a £10,000 grant to deliver a two-week summer scheme at Drumnamoe Nursery School for young people with Down’s Syndrome.

The summer scheme includes a trip to Mountpanther Farm, Belfast Circus School and the cinema, as well as providing a social outlet for parents and carers.

Gilford Youth is using a grant of £9,940 to deliver a range of educational programmes to improve the social and life skills of young people aged 7-17 in the area. The project brings young people together to build relationships and develop new skills.

Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Director, said: “Our experience of working with communities is that when you listen, people have amazing ideas to make things better and to change people’s lives in their own area.

“It is great to see the diverse work being done through projects funded by National Lottery money.

“Whether it’s small pots of funding or larger grants, people are being brought together to make good things happen and change lives. When people take the lead and develop their own great ideas, communities really do thrive.”