Bank Of Ireland Launches Second Round Of Cost Of Living Funding

The Bank of Ireland has announced the recipients in its second round of Cost of Living Fund support.

Established in January, the fund aims to help organisations supporting those most at risk from cost of living pressures. Today's announcement marks the second and final allocation of funding with grants of up to £10,000 targeted at a range of groups including children and families at risk, older persons, those with disabilities, lone parents, and low-income families.

Bank of Ireland is working closely with Community Foundation Northern Ireland and the Community Foundation for Ireland to manage the donations on behalf of the Bank and have advised on a wide range of social issues and organisations that require financial support.

George Higginson, Director of Northern Ireland, Mortgages & Partnerships, Bank of Ireland UK, commented: "The rising cost of living remains a significant challenge for many people today. This donation aims to help those most at risk. We are grateful to the Community Foundation Northern Ireland for their support in ensuring that it reaches communities across Northern Ireland that are most in need."

Jacinta Linden, CEO of Bolster Community commented "The funding will support weekly drop-in sessions for seniors to access support, information, and refreshments, providing a warm, safe space to talk, addressing the rising costs of living. Sincere thanks to Bank of Ireland funding which has made the Seniors Well and Thriving Programme across Newry, Mourne & Down possible."

Róisín Wood, CEO, The Community Foundation Northern Ireland said: "The ten groups that have been funded are working to address a wide range of pressing issues that have arisen as a result of the cost of living crisis. This funding will make a real difference to those that these groups work with, boosting the community and voluntary sector's ability to provide critical supports throughout society at this time."

The local beneficiaries are:

• Strathfoyle Women's Activity Group, an organisation that supports low-income families will use the funding to provide a practical cooking course to help families with healthy, cost-conscious meals as well as offer a range of mental health interventions for those in need.

• Kinship Care, a charity that provides immediate and practical support to kinship carers and families.  The funds will be used for their Small Grants Programme which provides help in meeting immediate and essential needs, including support with food, heating and electricity for kinship families.

• South West Age Partnership, supporting older people across Fermanagh and Omagh, the funding will help provide hot meals for isolated older people as well as advice and support to help older people in the area with the cost of living.

• Mid & East Antrim Age Partnership, will be utilising the funding to support their counselling services for older people impacted by the cost of living alongside telephone signposting and support to help older people improve their financial wellbeing.

• Older People North West, will enhance their Cosy Café, providing nutritious food and helping to reduce isolation and loneliness for older people concerned with rising food and fuel costs.

• Bolster Community, supporting their Seniors Well and Thriving Programme across Newry, Mourne & Down, the funding will provide a weekly drop-in session for older people to access support, information and refreshments, providing a warm, safe space to talk and support them with increased costs of living.

• Shelter, will utilise the funding to provide a home improvement service, including energy efficiency measures for older people in the Fermanagh and Omagh area. The funds will also support the organisations phoneline and advice events aimed at those most at risk of fuel and fuel poverty.

• Brian Injury Matters, will provide an Arts, Sport and Wellbeing programme offering emotion and social support for adults living with an acquired brain injury, providing opportunities for peer support and making activities accessible for adults living with acquired brain injury.

• The Happiness Café, supporting the Dementia Lunch Munchers project which provides a hot lunch in a warm, safe, non-judgemental space for people with dementia and their carers to meet, and enjoy activities, reducing stigma and isolation for those living with dementia.

• SOLAS,  a charity that works with children and young people with a range of additional needs, will use the funding to help deliver their 'Give Us A Chance' programme which provides social activities, health and wellbeing sessions and practical sessions on cookery for 24 children and young people. The programme will be provided for free to families, helping some of those most impacted by the increasing costs of living have access to safe, fun activities for children and young people with additional needs.