WIREDGOV

Young people across Northern Ireland are improving their mental health and learning new skills, thanks to over £1.3 million of National Lottery funding.

Dungannon Development Association has been awarded £370,760 from Big Lottery Fund’s Empowering Young People programme. Their three year DICE 2 project is supporting children and young people aged 10-21 who are, or have been in care, due to parental substance abuse. They are working in Armagh, Banbridge, Lurgan, Omagh, Fermanagh and Dungannon.

The project supports young people to set and achieve personal targets, increase self-esteem, improve their relationships, and reduce risk-taking behaviour. Activities include arts and crafts, workshops about substance abuse, mental health, staying safe online, and healthy relationships. The project is also running information sessions to raise awareness of hidden harm to schools and professionals working with young people.

Hope 4 Ur Life Limited in Belfast received £486,087 for their three-year Uberheroes project. It supports young people, aged 9-16, across NI by providing information and starting conversations with young people to make them more aware of their mental health and resilience, and cope with the challenges they face.

The project uses a comic book about Uberheroes and Villains to encourage creativity, get the young people talking about issues, and provide a source of support where  needed. The project also includes an UberWeb online community and resources for parents.

Also receiving funding is Headliners for their three-year Together We Can, Together We Will project. They are using a £484,909 grant to improve the wellbeing of young people who are socially isolated, on the autistic spectrum, or young people who are leaving care or living in supported housing.

Working in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, the project is developing their confidence, providing opportunities to make friends, improving communication and self-advocacy skills, and providing volunteering and work experience. The project uses multi-media journalism as a tool for the young people to investigate issues and explore their own identities. This includes making films, podcasts, written stories, photography and social media activities.

Julie Harrison, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “I am delighted to announce these grants under the Empowering Young People programme.

“We want to fund great projects that put young people in the lead in increasing their skills and confidence, and support them to have stronger relationships so they can cope better with the challenges they face and reach their potential. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will make for many young people across Northern Ireland.

“I want to say thanks to all the National Lottery players who have helped make this possible.”

More information about the Empowering Young People funding programme can be found on our website, www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. Please ring our enquiries line on 028 90 551 455 if you have any questions.

For press enquiries call Lucy Gollogly or Rachel Skinner in Big Lottery Fund NI

Press Office: 02890 551 432 or 02890 551 450
Out of hours media contact: 07580 811135 or 0774 7532 846

Notes to Editors:

The Big Lottery Fund uses money raised by National Lottery players to help communities achieve their ambitions. From small, local projects to UK-wide initiatives, our funding brings people together to make a difference to their health, wellbeing and environment. Since June 2004 we have awarded £8.5 billion to projects that improve the lives of millions of people.