Groups from Desertmartin, Tobermore, Kilcronaghan and Draperstown receive community grants.
May 15, 2010
Following the success of the first round of awards of its Community Fund, Draperstown-based Workspace has awarded a further 14 grants totaling £6,250 to local voluntary and community groups.
The Workspace Community Fund offers local voluntary and community groups the opportunity to avail of grants of up to £250. Workspace Chief Executive, Brian Murray explains “The Workspace business model sees us run commercial businesses which generate surpluses, part of which are used to fund local projects such as the Backrow Recreation Centre and the Afterschool Club. When developing our strategy two years ago we identified many more local issues and projects that needed doing but that Workspace could not deliver on its own. As a result of this the Board of Workspace decided to allocate a percentage of our annual profits directly to the local community to enable projects that otherwise just wouldn’t happen.”
The Fund invites local voluntary and community groups to apply for grants through the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. The initial round of applications saw fourteen local groups being awarded grants at a presentation evening in November 2009. A second call for applications was made and a further 14 local voluntary and community groups have been successful, ranging from Ballinascreen Camogie Club seeking assistance to purchase keep fit equipment to Draperstown Early Years seeking support for their fine motor skills project for children with special needs were.
Speaking at the presentation Graham Mawhinney, Workspace Director said “We are delighted with the level of interest in the fund and are pleased to be in a position to help support the local community in a practical way. Workspace has its roots in these areas and we hope that the fund will continue to support the voluntary groups which are at the heart of our community.”
A third call for applications is now open and will close on 16th June 2010. Community groups and organisations in the Ballinascreen, Kilcronaghan, Tobermore and Desertmartin areas are encouraged to apply. Details of the fund and applications can be found on the Workspace website at www.workspace.org.uk or can be obtained from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.
