Altnaveigh House

Newsletter
DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE

ALTNAVEIGH HOUSE NETWORKING EVENT

Community Credit
or Crunch
Within community & voluntary organisations grave concerns exist regarding future sustainability. Many
such groups offer a much needed resource to mainly rural areas of Northern Ireland, delivering a wide
range of services, but in a time of economic hardship these groups are feeling the pinch. Altnaveigh
House hosted their annual networking event on Monday 10th November – Community Credit or Crunch
was the theme of this year’s event.
The focus of this event was to explore funding challenges facing community based groups as well
as the effects of the “credit crunch” on the voluntary and community sector. A variety of community
organisations displayed ‘best practice’ and various funding organisations presented funding
opportunities for groups to carry out their work.
Altnaveigh House Chairman David Hanna, M.B.E., opened the event by welcoming the large audience
gathered for the event. Mr. Hanna praised volunteer groups for maintaining tremendous energy, which
is very important when driving their respective organisations forward and upward. Chairman Hanna
made it clear that community groups bring tangible benefits to others both within their own communities
and beyond.
The Altnaveigh House Chairman explained, “For such initiatives to fully succeed, and for this work not
to be wasted, we need to ensure that our people and their Communities are properly resourced – that
they become strong, are at ease with each other, are working towards positive, common goals and that
they have the confidence, that essential confidence to interact with their neighbours in a meaningful
way – as would be the desire of the Peace III initiative.”
In closing Mr. Hanna said, “I am immensely proud of the Altnaveigh House Team, headed up by our
C.E.O. Margaret Thompson, for their tireless work within the community. A great many of the successes
on the ground, especially with regard to Community Development and Engagement work, has been as
a direct result of the activities of Altnaveigh House.”
Peace III (Southern Cluster) Programme Manager Sonya Burns addressed the event to raise awareness
of the opportunities that exist for community/voluntary groups through Peace III programmes and
funding. Peace III Southern Cluster Joint Chair Dr James McCammick was introduced to the audience
and he gave words of encouragement to the volunteers in attendance.
Other Key Speakers who gave short presentations were Caroline Hanna (Big Lottery Fund), Gary Blair
(Ulster-Scots Agency) and Dermot Russell (Newry and Mourne District Council).
This event essentially provided community organisations with the opportunity to network and gather
information from key funding organisations. It highlighted community & voluntary groups currently face
a challenging time but they must endeavour with their work to tackle economic and social deprivation.
 Ballinran Ulster-Scots
Celebration
Ballinran Ulster-Scots Festival (date to be confirmed) will be held in the splendid newly-built
‘Bracken Centre’ in Ballinran. Guest speakers at the launch will be George Patton, Chief Executive
of the Ulster-Scots Agency, and Cllr William Burns, Chairperson of Newry & Mourne District Council
Ulster-Scots Committee. Both the Ulster-Scots Agency and Newry & Mourne District Council have
provided support and funding for this week of events celebrating Ulster-Scots culture. Talented
music ensemble Flutes of Mourne will provide light entertainment at the launch.

Miller Wicks (NI) Ltd will host an open night in the Bracken Centre. Anyone interested in seeing and
playing all of the new models of Miller Wicks flutes available are welcome to come along. There will
be a PowerPoint demonstration on the manufacturing process involved and all of the models of flute
made by the company will be available to see and play. For more information about the open night
please contact Paul on 07803583775.

Ballinran Ulster-Scots Festival will promote many areas of Ulster-Scots culture including all aspects
of music, song and dance and drama; the festival will feature a ‘special’ Ulster-Scots cookery
demonstration night.

Ulster-Scots workshops will take place under the excellent guidance of local musicians/tutors
featuring Flute, Drum, Fife, Accordion, Lambeg, Pipes and Highland Dance.

The festival will conclude with the main event and highlight of the week – the St Andrews
Ulster-Scots Gala event. The cream of local Ulster-Scots talent will take to the stage including top
accordion band Brunswick, Kirknarra School of Dance, former solo drumming World Champion
Mark Wilson will absorb the audience with a brilliant display of drumming and local favourites Pride
of Ballinran F.B. will perform on home turf. Former N.I.B.A. Flute Championship Grade 2 champions
Cahard Flute Band will perform a selection of music that will ensure this is an event not to be missed
in ‘The Bracken Centre’ - Ballinran. Tickets can be purchased prior to the event or admission paid
at the door.

So plenty for everyone – A warm welcome awaits you at ‘The Bracken Centre’ in Ballinran.
Further information and tickets availability please contact Richard on (028) 3026 5151.
 Community Groups willing to take part in a new
Cross Border Cross Community Programme
entitled

Limerick Education and

Reconciliation Network Programme
Altnaveigh House Ltd are currently looking for community groups
who would be interested in taking part in this three year programme
of Reconciliation
The programme consists of :
A three year interactive reconciliation programme to develop a cross-border network with a
focus on links between the Mid-West region and council Northern Ireland.

The projects will focus on :

Providing structured, challenging and relevant high quality cross community and cross
border contact opportunities in NI and the ROI for community groups.

Deepening relationships between communities in Northern Ireland as part of a tripartite

programme through a range of actions located in Northern Ireland.

Building Networks of awareness in Limerick and the partnership areas of Northern Ireland
involving participants in the programme and which will help disseminate learning.

Providing training appropriate to the needs of the participants and which will contribute to the
deepening of relationships between them.

It is envisaged that in each year of the three-year implementation phase 16 exchange

opportunities will involve both social and more structured interactions around a wide range of
possible themes which ultimately will be attractive to participant groups.

If you are interested in joining this programme please contact :

richard@altnaveigh-house.org.uk or margaret@altnaveigh-house.org.uk
Telephone (028) 3026 5151
 NEWRY & MOURNE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

Voucher Scheme (RURAL AREAS)

ROUND 16 NOW OPEN

Newry & Mourne Community Transport is pleased to announce the release of Application Forms for
Round 16 of their Voucher Scheme. These will cater for trips being made between January 2009
and April 2009.

INTERESTED IN SECURING FUNDING TOWARDS YOUR TRANSPORT COSTS?

Groups must meet the following criteria and be:

Formally constituted
Based in a rural area of Newry & Mourne District Council Area
Non-profit making, independent, self-governing, encourage volunteering and promote
community benefit
Actively working with older people, youth, playgroups, women, adults, mental health,
people with disabilities or ethnic minorities.
Support the new Anti Poverty Strategy with particular emphasis on improving
conditions of life for children and young people, working age adults & elderly

The scheme will provide your transport costs to a maximum of £100

Priority will be given to elderly, people with disabilities and mental health groups. Consideration will
also be given to Pre-school/Primary school groups, youth groups, women’s groups, adult groups
and ethnic minority groups.

Sporting clubs/organisations are excluded

For further information or to check if your group is eligible please contact Ciaran O’Hanlon
Application forms can be obtained from Ciaran O’Hanlon at :
Tel. : (028) 3026 5635 Fax : (028) 3026 5824
E-mail: nmct@communtitytransport-ni.com
Closing date for receipt of completed applications is
Wednesday 21ST January 2009 at 4:30 p.m.

* LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE *

WHY NOT CONSIDER JOINT APPLICATIONS UNDER THE BANNER OF A LEAD
ORGANISATION/GROUP?
 COMMONS RURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
are holding a

Christmas Carol Service

in Commons Orange Hall
ON SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER 2008
at 3.30 p.m.
Guest Speaker : Rev. David Temple
Collection in aid of Marie Curie Nurses
TEA & MINCE PIES TO FOLLOW

SKILL-BASED CLASSES

Ulster-Scots Dance Tuition

ALTNAVEIGH HOUSE SCHOOL OF DANCE hold Highland Dance Tuition classes in Altnaveigh
House New Resource Centre, 51 Downshire Road, Newry, every Saturday morning. Open class
takes place on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For further information, please contact Richard Forsythe on (028) 3026 5151 or e-mail
richard.forsythe@altnaveigh-house.org.uk

CLOSKELT HIGHLAND DANCERS meet in Closkelt Orange Hall each Monday night. Classes are
as follows : Beginners - 6.30-7.00 p.m.; Intermediate - 7.00-7.30 p.m.; Advanced - 7.30-8.00 p.m.
For details contact Euphemia Adams (028) 4067 1121. New members welcome.

Ulster-Scots Classes

THE SCHOMBERG SOCIETY, Kilkeel, is holding Ulster-Scots classes in Reivers House, Newcastle
Street, Kilkeel. Please find information below :
Kirknarra School of Dance every Wednesday from 15:30 -- 18:30 with Highland Dance tutor
Gillian Jones.
Scottish Fiddle Class every Thursday from 18:00 -- 20:00 with Keith Lyttle.
Lambeg, Fife and Drum every Thursday from 20:00 -- 22:00 with John Shields and Bobby Maginnis.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact Schomberg Society at Reivers House on
(028) 4176 9678 or e-mail schombergsociety@utvinternet.com
 FUNDING INFORMATION

This information will :

Provide a brief overview of current funding opportunities and increase awareness
regarding grant opportunities that exist or are coming soon

Statutory = District Councils, Government Department

Trusts = Charitable Trusts
Own Fund-raising, Sponsorship
Income Generation, Membership Fees
‘In Kind’ resources

Bombardier Aerospace Foundation

Bombardier Aerospace
The Foundation focuses its support on Northern Ireland charities and donates 1% of pre-tax profits
each year.

Scheme details
The Foundation meets four times a year and considers requests from Northern Ireland-based
charities.
The main areas of Corporate Community Involvement are :
Donations from Bombardier Aerospace Foundation and the Sponsorship
Committee
Supporting employee volunteering
Membership of boards of charitable and other organisations
Employees charities society
The Foundation and Sponsorship Committee focus their support on the following key areas :
Programmes which support the company’s equal opportunities programmes
Education
Community regeneration and support
Community relations
The environment

Scheme info
This scheme is Open
This scheme can provide Micro, Small, Medium, Large grants
Funding can be for Capital Revenue costs

Issue Focus
General Charitable Purposes, Education & Learning, Environment, Good Relations, Transport,
Travel and Tourism
Where a donation is agreed, there is a requirement that the donation is directed at “point of use” and
not to general administration or staff expenses. Support is not normally given to an organisation
more than once a year.
Bombardier Aerospace do not publish any guidance on grant levels - it is assumed that most grants
will range from low hundreds to low thousands.

The Bombardier Aerospace Foundation

The Foundation is a charitable trust which receives 1% of the Bombardier Aerospace, Shorts pre-tax
profits for distribution to charitable projects.
The Foundation also supports £1 for £1 donations by the Employees Charities Society to approved
charities. Amounts awarded are dependent on whether the appeal reflects the Foundation’s criteria
closely as well as the amount requested.

The Sponsorship Committee

The Sponsorship Committee has a small budget for donations to community and other
non-charitable organisations which satisfy the CCI criteria. It meets every six weeks and, as well as
reviewing any requests, it considers all employee requests for charitable collections.
Example grants : 174 Trust, Age Concern NI, Ardmonagh Family and Community Group, BBC
Children in Need, Beaconfield - Marie Curie, Blind Centre NI, Children’s Fellowship Project for NI,
Conservation Volunteers, Crossroads - Caring for Carers, Disability Action, Longstone Special
School, Sandy Row Festival, Short Strand Festival, St. John Vianney Youth Centre, Youth at Risk.

How to Apply
All requests for either charitable (Foundation) or non-charitable (sponsorship committee) should be
addressed in writing to the contact. For application to the Foundation an application form can be
obtained from the contact. The following written details are required for the sponsorship committee.
It is highly recommended that you speak to the contact prior to making an application and this would
greatly enhance the chances of success.
Name of organisation
Full details of project or event
How you think Bombardier Aerospace can help
Contact name, address, telephone number

Exclusions
The Committee tends not to support : projects outside Northern Ireland, large capital projects, large
medical charities, well funded national organisations replacing statutory funding third party
fund-raising.

Scheme Dates
No dates have been added for this scheme.

Contact details
Alan McKnight, Corporate Community Investment Manager
Bombardier Aerospace
Bombardier Aerospace - Short Brothers plc
MIS Building - Airport Road, Belfast, Antrim
Northern Ireland BT3 9DZ
Tel : (028) 9073 3538 Fax : (028) 9073 3399
Web site : www.aerospace.bombardier.com
Community Relations Council

Community Relations and Cultural Diversity Scheme

A scheme aimed at locally based groups such as community development groups, women's groups,
church groups.

Changes to the CR/CD Grant Scheme

Application Process
The grant scheme runs on an annual basis. Applications for projects taking place before 31st March
2009 must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday December 12th 2008.

The grant scheme will re-open in Feb 2009 for projects taking place after April 1st.

Aim of the Scheme

The Community Relations Council, with the support of Government, has established a fund of
approximately £400,000 to spend each year on community relations projects. This funding is
intended to help community/voluntary groups throughout Northern Ireland develop their capacity to
engage in community relations work and to enhance the community relations potential of projects
they undertake.

Objectives of the Scheme

This grant scheme seeks to achieve the aims listed below by providing advice and financial support
for projects. Questions 16 and 17 of this application form will ask you to identify which of these aims
best matches the objectives of your project.

1. To develop opportunities for groups to explore their own cultures, beliefs and
traditions, thus increasing their capacity to develop relationships of trust with
those of different traditions and values.

2. To develop opportunities for groups to extend their knowledge and understanding

of others' cultures, beliefs, traditions; increasing their acceptance of and respect
for diversity.

3. To enable groups to challenge stereotypes of their own and other communities in

order to acknowledge and address difference.

4. To increase the ability and confidence of groups and organisations to identify and
address those issues that divide them.

5. To develop networks of communication, trust and co-operation between divided

communities.

6. To promote models of good practice for community relations work in Northern

Ireland.
Types of Groups Eligible
The scheme is aimed at locally based groups such as community
development groups, cultural organisations, women's groups, church groups,
tenants associations and other organisations and groups involved in community
relations, reconciliation projects and cultural engagement.

The scheme is aimed primarily at projects involving adults. Groups whose main
work is with children or youth may be eligible for funding by the Department of
Education, Education and Library Boards or the Youth Council. People working
with 0 - 5 year olds should contact local health and social services.

Eligible Costs
Grants may be awarded towards the cost of the following :

Bursaries for community relations practitioners to attend conferences. (These are

limited to one bursary per year for an individual from an applicant group)
Organisation of events
Seminars or discussion groups
Fees for trainers, speakers, artists or facilitators
Basic travelling costs within Ireland and Britain
Cost of accommodation for speakers
Renting appropriate facilities
Crèche provision
Resource materials
Action research and small publication costs
Please note: The maximum award payable is £10,000 but in the main most grants are much
smaller than this. It may be useful to refer to Community Relations Council annual reports
for details of previous grant allocations

Contact Details
Andrew Smyth
Project Officer
Community Relations Council
6 Murray Street
Belfast
Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland BT1 6DN

Tel : (028) 9022 7500

Fax : (028) 9023 5408

e-mail : asmyth@nicrc.org.uk

Wesite : www.community-relations.org.uk
National Lottery Funding
Awards For All in Northern Ireland is changing
Lottery distributors, having built on the learning from Awards For All, will be delivering their own
more tailored funding programmes. Applicants will now have separate and more tailored
programmes to apply to, for the projects they went to deliver.

More information on what’s available can be found at www.lotteryfunding.org.uk

If you are a local group and you need a small grant (£500-£10,000) then Awards For All may be able
to help you.

The current Awards For All programme will close for applications on 15 December 2008.
Completed applications (including all the required documentation) must be received by this date.

For more information access the web site : www.hlf.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund

We are aware that organisations find small grants programmes accessible and useful, so we will
continue to deliver the Awards For All small grants programme and will fund health, education,
environment and community projects. Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All will re-open for applications
on 1st April 2009. Applications material will be available online from February 2009.

For further information access the web site : www.awardsforall.org.uk or telephone :

(028) 9055 1455.

Heritage
Heritage Lottery Fund will continue to fund heritage projects via their main small grants programmes
which are open for applications all year round.

For further information about these grant programmes or to make an application, access the web
site : www.hlf.org.uk or phone (028) 9031 0120.

Arts £500 - £10,000

The Arts Council will accept applications for grants between £500 and £10,000 to its new Lottery
Small Grants programme from 2nd January 2009. Application forms will be available from 16th
December on the Arts Council’s web site : www.artscouncil-ni.org

For further information telephone (028) 9038 5200.

Sport
Sport Northern Ireland is committed to and recognises the importance of small grants being
accessible for the sports sector. It is envisaged that a new Sport Northern Ireland small grants
programme will be launched during April 2009. Further information will be available in due course,
keep checking the Sport Northern Ireland web site : www.sportni.net for updates.
Lottery Heritage Funding
Your Heritage £3,000 - £50,000
Your Heritage provides grants of between £3,000 and £50,000 to support projects that relate to the
local, regional or national heritage of the UK.
For more information access the web site : www.hlf.org.uk

Heritage Grants £50,000+

This programme offers grants of £50,000 or more. Projects should look after and enhance the UK’s
heritage; to increase involvement in heritage activities; and to improve access to and enjoyment of
heritage.
For more information access the web site : www.hlf.org.uk

Repair Grants for Places of Worship £10,000 - £100,000

This programme is designed to help conserve and sustain heritage at risk, through urgent repairs to
places of worship. The UK-wide scheme is delivered through four programmes in England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
For more information access the web site : www.hlf.org.uk

Townscape Heritage Initiative £500,000 - £2,000,000

Through our Townscape Heritage Initiative, we make grants that help communities to regenerate
the historic parts of their towns and cities.
For more information access the web site : www.hlf.org.uk

Landscape Partnerships £250,000 - £2 million

Landscape Partnerships (LP) is our grant programme to support schemes of between £250,000 and
£2 million led by partnerships of local, regional and national interests which aim to conserve areas
of distinctive landscape character throughout the United Kingdom.
For more information access the web site : www.hlf.org.uk

Young Roots £3,000 - £25,000

Providing grants of between £3,000 and £25,000, the Young Roots Programme aims to involve
13-25 year-olds in finding out about their heritage, developing skills, building confidence and
promoting community involvement. Young Roots projects stem directly from young peoples’
interests and ideas, harnessing their creativity and energy and helping them work with others in their
local community.
For more information access the web site : www.hlf.org.uk
Rural Development Council
Maximising Community Space
The RDC has opened a new programme entitled "Maximising Community Space Crossing Borders"
which is designed to facilitate the development and wider usage of existing community halls
infrastructure and foster good relationships within and between communities.

This programme has 2 strands:

Strand 1 - up to 50 places are available for a tailored

programme of development support

Strand 2 - Awards of up to £50,000 and associated

project implementation support for minor works

The opportunity to apply to Strand 2 will only be open to organisations completing Strand 1, which
will need a separate application form.

The Closing Date for the programme is

Friday 9th January 2009
at 4 p.m.
Applications are available to download from www.rdc.org.uk or alternatively you can contact :

Northern Ireland Rural Development Council

17 Loy Street
Cookstown
BT80 8PZ
Telephone : (028) 8676 6980
Fax : (028) 8676 6922
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Criteria for Small Grants to tackle social isolation of older
people through volunteering
It is important for Southern Health and Social Care Trust, as a statutory agency, to ensure
community groups adhere to standards when funding is given. The following standards should apply
before grant aid is awarded.
The applicant must :
Produce a copy of its constitution showing that it is a bona fide, non-profit making community
or voluntary group.
Provide evidence of its annual general meeting, including the election of a Management
Committee/Board of Directors, where appropriate.
Reside in the Newry and Mourne area.
Be non-party political and inclusive in both their constitution and practice.
Provide evidence of indemnity insurance for public liability and employers liability insurance,
where appropriate.
Provide evidence of independently certified annual accounts. It is not a requirement to
have your accounts audited, however you must have them independently signed and
dated.
Provide evidence of your most recent Bank Statement (within the last 3 months).
Ensure that in the recruitment of volunteers they adhere to best practice in how volunteers
are recruited, interviewed, vetted, and provided with ongoing monitoring and supervision.
Provide evidence that there is no other funding in place to meet the specific funding needs
identified in the application in order to avoid duplication of funding.
Ensure that the money allocated is spent no later than June 30th 2009. If an extension is
required groups must forward their request in writing to the Grant Aid Officer before June 30th
2009.
Groups must complete and return an Evaluation Form by July 31st 2009.
Schemes, which aim to improve the lives of, isolated older people through volunteering
initiatives.
Initiatives, which attract new membership through innovative approaches and promote
self-esteem and well being amongst older people.
Initiatives, which attract new volunteers.
Volunteer activity schemes will be considered.
Volunteering initiatives, which promote health and well-being in isolated elderly.
Intergenerational initiatives will be considered.
Volunteer scheme, which encourages integration of emigrants or migrant workers.
Groups wishing to carry out needs assessments amongst isolated older people may apply.
Schemes, which provide information to isolated older people through newsletters/leaflet
drops, etc.
 Volunteer schemes to promote training and use of new technology to tackle isolation in elderly.
Preference will be given to groups whose annual income is under £15,000 in the preceding
12-month period.
Preference will be given to projects that result in longer-term benefits for isolated older people.

Exclusions
1. Grant aid will not be awarded for expenditure already covered under Southern Health and
Social Care Trust’s Senior Citizens Grant Aid Scheme; they must be clearly additional to this,
focusing on the key criteria of volunteering initiatives, which tackle social isolation amongst
older people.
2. Individuals cannot apply.
3. Groups who submit costs that are funded by someone else.

Size of Grants
Awards will normally be made from £300 - £500.

Ulster-Scots Agency
Summer School Applications
Deadline for return of Expression of Interest is Friday 13th February 2009 at 12.00 noon
Summer School Training on Friday 6th March 2009 (venue to be confirmed)
Open for Summer School fully completed application forms and compulsory documentation
on Monday 9th March 2009
Deadline for Summer School fully completed application forms and compulsory
documentation on Thursday 9th April 2009 at 12 noon (there will be no exceptions for late
applications)

Festival Funding
Festival Funding Applications OPEN
Festival funding opened on 1st November 2008
Deadline for the festival application form is Friday 30th January 2008 at 12 noon (there will
be no exception to late applications)
The Agency will NOT accept fax, e-mails or photocopy applications
The Agency will only accept receipt of full completed application forms and compulsory
documentation which has to be in hard copy with signature and date

Please return to :
Grants Department,
Ulster-Scots Agency,
68-72 Great Victoria Street,
Belfast BT2 7BB
 Altnaveigh House Staff
Should you like furt her informat ion please do not hesitat e t o c ont act eit her :

Margaret Thompson CEO

Richard Forsythe
Eric Hewitt
Charles Neville

Tel: 028 30 26 5151

Fa x: 028 3026 515 2
e-m ail: in fo@ altnaveigh-house.o rg. uk

Grant Tracker
Altnaveigh House offers members of its mentoring
programme use of the Grant Tracker IT system to identify
funds and sources of funds that are available

It also tries to keep members advised of

new funding opportunities