Bank of Ireland UK announces Northern Ireland beneficiaries of £100,000 from Begin Together Fund
- £100,000 in funding for 25 projects and organisations across Northern Ireland
- Financial literacy, social inclusion, mental health, social isolation, migrant support, community outreach and youth sports clubs are among the projects being supported by the Begin Together Fund
- Fund is part of wider £910k Bank of Ireland UK will be injecting in to local communities and a range of organisations over the coming months
23 July 2020
Adult education and training, parental support, physical exercise for the elderly and young people are among 25 projects to receive support from Bank of Ireland UK’s Begin Together Fund. The financial support will help local community groups and non-profit organisations continue to serve their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grantees announced today come from all over Northern Ireland and will each receive up to £4,500 to support a range of projects and initiatives spanning financial wellbeing, mental health, disability, social isolation, social deprivation, and sport.
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 top 25 projects in Northern Ireland.
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 funds focus and social impact objectives.
Two of the projects to receive funds are Cloughmills Community Action Team which offers a range of supports to help people lead more sustainable lives. The funds will enable them to run an initial 9-week programme for young people and adults including gardening, yoga and natural crafts – to support their physical and mental wellbeing.
Kith and Kin Financial Wellbeing, based in Co. Antrim helps people manage their finances better. The Begin Together fund will support the delivery of a programme called ‘Preparing for work and home life’ to 16 to 30-year-olds, in Belfast. Topics will range from payslips to pensions and how the different elements of your finances work together and can impact your life. By developing financial skills, the programme will nurture resilience and self-confidence and improve financial and mental wellbeing.
Other projects receiving funding include a group working with vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Derry/Londonderry; a parent’s support group for children with Down Syndrome; community groups working to combat high levels of deprivation; a foundation working to deliver inclusive beaches for people of all abilities; and an initiative to help train and support people back into the job market.
Commenting on the announcement, 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:
“Today’s 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 announced today 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.”
Denise Charlton, CEO, Community Foundation for Ireland said:
“The Covid-19 Pandemic, its economic impact and recovery is causing great uncertainty for people, families and communities across the country. Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Fund, administered by The Community Foundation for Ireland, is a perfect example of partnership which can deliver real supports for people who have seen their home and work lives severely impacted by Covid-19. While this is a period of huge challenge, The Community Foundation for Ireland remains absolutely committed to working with its partners for a fair, caring and vibrant Ireland with thriving communities.”
A full list of 2020 grantees is available here: https://personalbanking.bankofireland.com/begin-together-fund/
Notes to the Editor
About the Bank of Ireland Begin Together initiative
Following the donation of £910k in emergency funding to communities impacted by COVID-19 in March, Bank of Ireland will be injecting an additional £910k to local communities and a range of organisations over the coming months. This will be disbursed primarily through the Bank of Ireland Begin Together programme, which has several initiatives including:
- the Begin Together Awards to support local enterprise in towns across the island of Ireland (closing date for entries is 24 August);
- the Begin Together Fund supporting local community groups and charities, which is managed through the Community Foundation for Ireland;
- and the Begin Together Fund for Colleagues which will further support those local not-for-profit organisations which our Bank of Ireland colleagues are personally involved with.
About the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland is a local, independent charitable foundation which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. The Foundation helps communities in need, drives social change and changes lives through impactful grant making and delivering innovative programmes across Northern Ireland.
About the Community Foundation for Ireland
The Community Foundation for Ireland believes in a fair, caring and vibrant Ireland for now and the future. We work with individuals, families, corporates and other trusts and foundations to translate giving in the moment to giving that is strategic and impactful. We respond to Ireland’s complex needs by building deep relationships with non-profit organisations working at the coal face. We build platforms with local communities and collaborate with the public sector. We use our knowledge to help donors translate their aspirations of giving back into effective investments of their experience and resources. We have been providing grants since 2000 and in 2019 we gave out €8.15 million to communities in Ireland and abroad. We have a dedicated and committed staff; they have extensive experience of grant-making from working with over 4,000 non-profit organisations at a national, regional and local level throughout Ireland and overseas. With over 1,800 community foundations globally, the community foundation model is a proven and effective model for social change.