Funding boost forcommunity groups

Sunnylands and WoodburnCommunity Development Group and Greenisland Football Club were given £10,000 and £9,762 respectively through Awards for All.

Sunnylands’ grant will be used to deliver mental health and first aid training and suicide intervention skills training. A well-being fair took place recently.

Chairperson Michael Clarke said: “Suicide is a big issue for us in the town. Some people have come forward wanting to speak to members of the group about this because they know we have done mental health work.

“We are trying to reach out to the community and work along with them.”

Recently, Sunnylands Community Development Group received an award for this work.

The group scooped a Community Health and Well-being Champion accolade at a ceremony hosted at Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim by South Antrim Community Network.

The group is to open a community garden beside Sunnylands Community Centre in the New Year to continue its mental health well-being work.

Greenisland Football Club will use the sum to upgrade the clubhouse to provide a “more accessible community space”.

Greenisland Football Club provides football activities for over 400 young people using facilities including their clubhouse and pitches.

Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund NI Director, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s NI Awards for All programme funds health, education, environment and community projects that help people bring about positive change in their lives, improve health and well-being, develop skills and create safer communities.

Application forms and guidance notes are available to download at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. For more details call 9055 1455.

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