Cloughmills Community Action Team receive BoI funding

The financial support will help local community groups and non-profit organisations continue to serve their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cloughmills Community Action Team is one of the grantees to receive up to £4,500. The organisation, which focuses on helping people lead more sustainable lives, will use the financial support to run an initial nine-week programme for young people and adults – including gardening, yoga and natural crafts – to support their physical and mental wellbeing.

Bank of Ireland UK is working with The Community Foundation for Ireland which administers the fund, and was supported by The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland in selecting the 25 projects.

Bank of Ireland UK are also working with a number of expert partners – including Action Mental Health and Sport NI – who have assisted in developing the fund’s focus and social impact objectives.

William Thompson, Head of Consumer Banking NI, Bank of Ireland UK, said: “The aim of the Begin Together Fund, which we launched back in February, is to support charities and community organisations that are making a real difference to the financial, physical and mental wellbeing of their communities. As our local communities, towns and cities begin to open up again it’s important to remember that charities and community groups have seen their income severely impacted by COVID-19 but the work they do is more important than ever. For that reason I’m delighted that the Begin Together Fund is providing this timely support to 25 projects right across Northern Ireland and more than 100 projects in total on the island of Ireland.”

Siofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland said: “The announcement that will provide funding to so many different organisations right across Northern Ireland could not come at a better time. We have seen communities come together like never before to support and help each other through the Covid pandemic. Now, these local organisations are in a great position to support and help their communities to look ahead and focus on building and support for the future. I am delighted we have been part of the process to select the projects and I know they will use these funds to continue their great activities and initiatives that enhance and support so many lives.”