1Funding programme available for local communities
Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for a short-term funding programme that focuses on improving mental health and emotional wellbeing.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) scheme opens to applications today [Wednesday 28 June] and aims to address health and wellbeing needs in local communities. The funding programme will also support a range of strategic themes and priorities under the ‘Making Life Better’ public health framework, in particular mental health, emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention and self-harm.
The short-term funding programme provides the community and voluntary sector with the opportunity to access small, non-recurring funding which can be used to support health improvement in local communities.
The PHA has commissioned the Clear Project to facilitate this process in each Health and Social Care Trust area.
Two types of awards are available under the programme:
Award one: Funding of up to £1,000 for non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.
Award two: Funding of between £1,001 and to a maximum of £5,000 for constituted, non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.
How do I apply, am I eligible?
To apply for the short-term funding opportunities for Western, Belfast, Northern, South-Eastern and Southern Health and Social Care Trust areas visit www.dhcni.com/pha-short-term-funding-grants
Closing date for applications is Wednesday 26th July 2023 at 3pm.
Our Autumn 2023 funding round will open for registrations from 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 12th July, to 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 19th July.
On Thursday 20th July, all those who submit a registration will be emailed with confirmation of whether they have been allocated a place on the funding round. They will then be invited to submit a full application. We have plenty of resources on how you can strengthen your application.
3 Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust opens Round 3 grant
We award grants to registered UK charities that work with communities in the UK. We aim to give grants to those in society who face the greatest challenges and whose opportunities are most limited.
Grant rounds 3: Children and young people in care and care leavers
Application Period: 1st - 31st July
Amount: £1,000
Our application process is online.
To see a sample Application Form, please go to our How to Apply page.
4 Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance information
Applicants in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit must upload a Proof of Benefit Letter, which can be obtained by visiting this link.
A Free Schools Meals and Uniform Allowance Helpdesk is operated by staff across the EA Free School Meals/Uniform Allowance service.
It is available to assist parents and guardians who may have any queries. The Helpdesk operates Monday – Friday from 9am to 4.30pm and can be contacted via email: mealsanduniform@eani.org.uk.
The telephone number which should be used for all enquiries is 028 9041 8044.
Further information including eligibility criteria for the 2023/24 school year and a list of Frequently Asked Questions to assist with any parental queries can be accessed by visiting our website.
5Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust seeks members to join its NI Committee
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) wishes to appoint two new co-opted members to join its Northern Ireland Committee from January 2024, to provide specialist expertise and advice to support our grantmaking programme in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland grants programme supports work in four areas. These are: 1) strengthening human rights and equality; 2) supporting inclusive, non-sectarian and participatory politics; 3) supporting processes of demilitarisation; 4) dealing with the past.
The main work of the Committee is assessing grant applications. Co-opted members are fully involved in this process. This role requires a total commitment of around six days of meetings per year as outlined below, plus some additional time for other activities.
The Committee meets three times per year, typically in February, May and October. These meetings usually take place in Belfast, but other locations are a possibility.
6 Services from PSNI’s Derry City neighbourhood teams
Officers from the PSNI’s Derry City neighbourhood teams are keen to build stronger relationships with the local communities in our city, one of the ways we are aiming to do this is by working with local stakeholders and community groups.
We can provide a number of services including talks on Crime Prevention, Neighbourhood Policing, Road safety, Internet, Fraud and Anti-Social Behaviour.
Police can also arrange to speak to local residents and service users to discuss any community issues in their areas.
More information can be obtained by contacting either Constable Nelson (07971933027) or Constable Doherty (07393144086).
7The Common Travel Area Campaign - Townhall Meeting
North West Migrants Forum in partnership with Irish Network Against Racism and The Committee on the Administration of Justice will hold a townhall meeting in Dublin on September 21.
Not everyone living, working and studying on the island of Ireland enjoys the unfettered access afforded by the Common Travel Area (CTA).
The event will explore a number of issues, including people’s rights, the limitations of the current CTA arrangements and the opportunities for change.
The North West Migrants Forum and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) have put forward proposals that provide practical and workable solutions to the CTA challenges.
If you want to be in the Trans Inclusive Feminist Bloc, led by Here NI please email Danielle policy@hereni.org and I will let the parade manager know.
Also – if your organisation is marching separately but you would like a representative or two with a flag/placard in this section for visibility please let me know and we can take that into account.
The Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department of the Western Health & Social Care Trust would like to remind you of an initiative currently rolling out in support of breastfeeding mothers returning to work.
Breastfeeding is fundamental to public health as it promotes health, prevents disease and helps contribute to reducing health inequalities.
In support of creating environments where mothers can return to work and continue to breastfeed, the Western Health & Social Care Trust have updated their policy for supporting breastfeeding employees. As part of this policy, any employee returning to work and breastfeeding will be able to avail of a free ‘Return to Work’ pack.
We have extended this ‘Return to work’ pack initiative to the employees of all organisations throughout the WHSCT area (Limavady to Fermanagh).
This pack contains; a cool bag, ice block, reusable water bottle and breastmilk storage bottles to assist staff in continuing their breastfeeding journey. The pack also contains additional information on safe storage of breastmilk.
Any staff member or organisations wishing to avail of this on behalf of a staff member, should contact the Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department on
028 7186 5127 or health.improvement@westerntrust.hscni.net
Action Mental Health New Horizons Foyle launch its new SkillSET programme which is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
If you live in Derry/Londonderry area, are over 18 and classed as economically inactive you can register free of charge.
The three main aims of the programme are
1. Increase your skill levels
2. Support your Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
3. Taking steps to secure you sustainable employment, self-employment, Further Training or voluntary work.
SkillSET support will be bespoke, all participants will be assigned a Key Worker who will ensure a tailored and flexible approach.
Contact us on 028 7137 3502 or pop down to our open information sessions every Friday 10 a.m. – 1p.m at A Unit 13 Springtown Industrial Estate Derry/Londonderry BT48 0LY.
All referrals will be followed up and initial appointments will be scheduled.
The Churches Trust is delivering a Together: Building a United Community Camp.
Starts July 6th and runs to August 17th
Synergy Camp offers post-primary school young people aged 11 - 14 years an opportunity to participate in a mix of group work, games, outdoor and residential activities. Synergy will provide opportunities for participants to explore ideas of place, nature and heritage - all while challenging stereotypes and perceptions of 'otherness'.
Hoodies, daytrips, free lunch, team building and adventures!
13Help evidence the impact of arts and cultural attendance across NI
Want to know the impact you have on people coming through your doors? Take part in Thrive's IMPACT survey and get your own reporting link for your venue or festival and sector-wide reports to compare your data with others - all for free.
Find out more about the project at: The Playhouse in Derry~Londonderry on 26 July.
The Midlife MOT is a tool to help people assess their current financial situation and plan for the future.
A personalised report will inform the user what to prioritise and link to guidance on how to improve their financial wellbeing from midlife through to retirement.
Anyone from 45 years to 65 years are encouraged to access the tool – which provides both money and pension guidance support.
When there is a fire, flood or severe weather, we’re among the first to respond. From making a cup of tea to trekking through snow and sleet to deliver the essentials, we work with other organisations to do what’s needed straight away.
As an emergency response volunteer, you will be there for people in your community, when they need it most.
Together we're the world's emergency responders. Join us today as an emergency response volunteer.
Call Maureen, an emergency response officer on 078 9530 3563
We are currently recruiting for a Project Co-Ordinator.
Based at Easilink Community Transport, Strabane
25 hours per week
£14.03 per hour
Application Deadline 14th July 2023!
The postholder will be responsible for the management, implementation, and delivery of the partnership-based Motability funded Project.
The aim of this project is to increase the quality of life (through improved transport options) for people living with disabilities and the elderly.
This project consists of four key strands: delivery of passenger trips to individuals and groups, sourcing, and procurement of twenty-three accessible vehicles, and the setting up of a driver training and employment programme.
Easilink CT is leading on this project and the postholder will be required to liaise closely with representatives from the following partner organisations; CDM CT, Fermanagh CT and North Coast CT.
The Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) is in the process of being de-commissioned, and will be available for a short period of time via the NINIS Statistics page.
NINIS hosts area profiles, statistics, interactive content and maps and work is underway to ensure that, as far as possible, users can still access this information. The NINIS redirect page sets out alternative locations for the NINIS information or contact email addresses for users to request data if it is not available online.
The NISRA Data Portal is now live and replaces the statistics element of NINIS. It is the source for data on our population, society and economy.
Over the last few months, the Data Portal has been populated with various NINIS datasets as well as additional datasets that were not available on NINIS.
The Data Portal gives users the opportunity to view and filter data sets, plot interactive charts and visualise data on interactive maps, save queries, create favourite datasets and widgets, access data in mulitple formats - xlsx, csv, JSON-stat, px and share results and automate processes using API queries.
Training materials (NISRA Data Portal user guide, instructional video and FAQ section) have been published to help you navigate and use the new system (linked in the footer of the portal). Online training sessions and help, if needed, will also be available.
If you have any questions, have any feedback or want to express an interest in joining an online training session please get in touch - info@nisra.gov.uk
You have until 31 July 2023 to use 'everyday' non-barcoded stamps.
After that items sent with an ‘everyday' non-barcoded stamp will incur a surcharge.
If you can not use up your 'everyday' non-barcoded stamps, you can swap them for the new for the new version using the Royal Mail Stamp Swap Out Scheme.
Leisure Centres are giving local young people an extra incentive to get out and active during the school holidays with the return of the popular £1 Summer initiative.
Under 18s can enjoy a full range of activities including swimming, squash, table tennis, badminton, five a side football and basketball for just £1 per session in the months of July and August.
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