Dickson and Williams Hail Support from the National Lottery Community Fund for Several Local Project

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, and Mid and East Antrim Councillor, Noel Williams, have welcomed support from the National Lottery Community Fund for several local projects.

Mr Dickson said: “I am personally so grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting a number of compassionate local projects, and humbled by the love and support our local community continues to show for the most vulnerable in society”.

Mr Williams said: “On behalf of the constituents of Mid and East Antrim, I pass on our sincere thanks to both the National Lottery Community Fund, and to all those people actively engaged in the projects that benefit from the Fund’s financial support”.

Local projects in receipt of National Lottery Community Fund grants, include:

• Access Employment Limited in Larne who are using a £500,000 grant to continue delivering their successful Transitions programme which provides work experience, learning and social opportunities for young people with learning disabilities or learning difficulties. Over five years the project will help the young people to gain life skills, qualifications and work experience enabling them to build their communication skills and confidence and make more informed decisions about their future progression after school.

• Cairncastle LOL 692 based outside Larne who are using a £10,000 grant to provide a safe and secure space in their hall by replacing an exterior wall and purchasing storage. This will enable them to make better use of their existing indoor space and run a broader range of programmes for the local community.

• Carrickfergus and Larne Child Contact Centre in Carrickfergus who are using a £10,000 grant to create a sensory room that will benefit the families using the contact centre and will be available to the wider community to use.

• Glenarm LOL 1121 who are using a £9,514 grant to upgrade their kitchen to provide a new, fresh and safe place to plan and deliver a range of projects, including breakfasts, concerts, sporting events and cultural evenings. This will benefit the wider community including the local community pre-school that is based within the hall.

• The Braid Development Group who are using a £9,360 grant to pilot a luncheon club and transport for older people in the rural area of Carnalbanagh, who have little or no access to services and therefore are at risk of loneliness and isolation. They are also using the money to help with strategic planning to shape their future work.

• The Ulster Grenadiers Flute Band in Carrickfergus who are using a £3,150 grant to provide online and in-person musical tuition, education and capacity building programmes for all ages. They will also provide live musical performances which will be streamed into local nursing homes and Folds every Sunday afternoon, building connections within their local community and reducing isolation.