Local CAB given a major boost during Stormont celebration

Margaret Ellis from Banbridge Citizen’s Advice Bureau, joined representatives from groups across Northern Ireland who received funding from the Foundation.

Banbridge CAB received £5,000 from the Lloyd’s TSB Foundation’s Standard Grant Programme to increase both the Advisor and Trainee Advisor’s hours.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland celebrated the work of more than 500 organisations which have touched the lives of nearly 200,000 disadvantaged people.

Representatives from many of these groups visited Parliament Buildings at Stormont for a special event to recognise and celebrate their work.

Through its six grant programmes over the last year, the Foundation released funding of £1.86 million to 565 charities and community and voluntary groups from every corner of Northern Ireland.

Sandara Kelso-Robb, Executive Director of the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland, paid tribute to the incredible work carried out by all of the community-based organisations.

“Through these grants programmes we provide significant support for the most vulnerable in society making a huge difference in communities throughout Northern Ireland. It is a privilege to work with many thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland who are at the forefront of delivering positive change,” she said.

She was speaking at a special reception in the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings where MLAs and members of the Foundation and Lloyds Banking Group joined representatives from groups across Northern Ireland to recognise and celebrate their achievements.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said: “The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland supports some of the most worthy causes in our society and offer a vital boost to some of the most deprived communities.”

Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “Inequalities in health can arise because of inequalities in a range of societal factors – in the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. The more disadvantaged people’s social and economic circumstances, the worse their health status may often be.

“With help from organisations such as Lloyds TSB Foundation we can see how communities can thrive.”