WIREDGOV

Families in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon are benefiting from almost £500,000 of National Lottery funding.

Loughshore Care Partnership has been awarded a £450,491 grant from Big Lottery Fund’s People and Communities programme. Their four-year Family Choices project is supporting families in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon areas where a family member has received a terminal diagnosis and has chosen to remain or return to their home.

The funding is being used to recruit staff and support the other family members using a network of volunteers. Support may include a Home from Hospital package, house cleaning, making meals, pet care, helping children with homework, befriending and post-bereavement support. Trained professionals will provide specialised support such as childcare and electrical work, and families will be signposted to other agencies when appropriate.

Kevin Fox, Chairman of Loughshore Care Partnership said: “We are pleased to receive this funding for our Family Choices Project. The volunteer network will provide a vital service, giving the family more choice and control. At such a difficult time it’ll reduce the burden on family members and help them cope with the illness and bereavement.

“This funding will make a big difference and give families more time to spend with their loved ones, making it easier for them to say their good-byes.”

Julie Harrison, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “I am delighted to announce this grant under the People and Communities programme and I want to say thanks to all the National Lottery players who have helped make this possible.

“We want to fund great projects that work with local people, build on a community’s strengths, and are well connected to other services and activities in the community. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact this project will make to families in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon areas.”

The People and Communities programme offers grants of between £30,000 and £500,000 for two to five year projects. More information can be found on our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or ring our enquiries line on 028 90 551 455. 

For press enquiries call Lucy Gollogly or Rachel Skinner 
Press Office: 02890 551 432 or 02890 551 450 
Out of hours media contact: 07580 811135 or 0774 7532 846 
Website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/northernireland  
Twitter: @BIGNIonline 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundNI  

Notes to Editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes. 
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans. 
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £35 billion has been raised and more than 490,000 grants awarded.