Power NI has supported 10 community groups through their latest round of Brighter Communities funding. The programme founded in April 2018, aims to enhance community groups across Northern Ireland and to date, has donated more than £40,000 to local groups to help them to shine a little brighter.
10 groups were awarded funding of £1,000 and range from causes such as education to supporting young people in care.
Gemma-Louise Bond who looks after Brighter Communities, commented:
‘I was overwhelmed by the volume and quality of the entries for this round of funding. Community is a core part of the fabric of Power NI. We were delighted to award £10,000 to outstanding groups who need a little boost. COVID-19 presented many challenges to community organisations but also presented time for some fabulous innovative thinking in the realms of education, the environment and connecting more to our isolated community members’
One such innovative project that was awarded £1,000 of Power NI Brighter Communities funding was Eco NI’s Nappy Library.
Eco NI founder, Russell Hughes explains why the funding means so much:
‘This funding from Power NI will facilitate a free, non-profit cloth nappy library for use across Northern Ireland. The money will be used to buy reusable gender-neutral nappy kits, including one-size pocket nappies, bamboo boosters, mesh laundry bags and soiled nappy buckets. This is to help to reduce household waste that is thrown away each year in Northern Ireland. Reusable nappies for just one baby could prevent 4,000 – 6,000 nappies being disposed of in landfill sites from birth to potty training. Using this free service will help those parents struggling financially, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period”.
The 10 recipients of a £1,000 Brighter Communities boost are:
- Belfast South Community Resources ‘LAD TALK’ Project
- Cuan Kids Community Preschool and Afterschool Club - Portaferry
- Kinship Care - Derry/Londonderry
- Mount St Catherine's. P.S. Outdoor Classroom - Armagh
- Cookstown MS Support Group
- Cloughmills Community Action Team
- St John’s Ambulance Antrim
- East Side Partnership - East Belfast
- Eco NI Nappy Library - County Down
- Aghaloo Development Association
Find out more how Power NI Is energising local communities
