A recent community programme taking place organised by The Carson Project
The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded almost £50,000 of grants to organisations who are bringing people together in Ballymena.
The news comes as part of an announcement of over £6million of funding to over 140 organisations who are supporting people in Northern Ireland with the rising cost of living, to improve their mental health and to make social connections.
TinyLife has been awarded a £10,000 grant to deliver their Tiny Gym sessions in venues across Ballymena and Antrim. The sessions will run once a month to improve the physical development of premature babies in a supportive and relaxing environment for parents.
Tiny Gym session organised by TinyLife
Emma O’Neill, Head of Operations, said:
“TinyGym sessions and the skills transferred to parents not only help develop babies physically but also aid mental wellbeing, attachment and parent/baby bonding.
“Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery Players for making our project possible. With support of this funding, approximately 250 premature/sick babies and their parents have benefited from this support so far.”
The Ballymena Substance User Support Group has also been awarded an £8,830 grant to provide one-to-one and group support sessions for people with addiction. The project will focus on improving their mental health which will help with their recovery.
Straid LOL No 521, based in Gracehill, Ballymena, received a £10,000 grant to replace the roof of their building to make the hall safer for local community groups to use.
Also receiving funding is The Carson Project, based in the Harryville area of Ballymena. They are using a £10,000 grant to bring the local community together to take an interest in open, shared spaces and promote improvements to them by volunteers. The project will improve community spirit and pride.
Taking part in DIY classes organised by Portglenone Community Workshop and Men’s Shed, and supported by Restore Habitat
Nearby, Portglenone Community Workshop and Men’s Shed received a £9,620 grant to run activities for adults in the local community to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Activities include line dancing, upcycling, art, nutrition, dementia awareness and health checks.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes like these throughout the UK.
Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director of The National Lottery Community Fund commented:
“Congratulations to the wide range of groups receiving funding today, all making a big impact. We look forward to seeing what they achieve in their area.
“We launched our new strategy 'It starts with community' earlier this year which is the roadmap for our funding up to 2030. We are developing our future portfolio of funding programmes over the next year to ensure National Lottery money continues to make a difference to communities across NI.”
For more information on National Lottery funding visit: