NI disability support groups win funding awards

A further seven local organisations have been successful in their bids for United Kingdom-wide funding to support projects during the coming European Year of People with Disabilities.

Congratulating all of the 12 successful local applicants, NIO Minister Des Browne said: “A further 78 organisations across the UK today will be celebrating their success in the UK Grant award scheme. Northern Ireland has done particularly well with two additional regional winners and five local winners. A total of £222,000 has now been awarded to 12 successful NI projects.

“The Executive, prior to its suspension, had already shown its commitment to ensuring the success of the European Year of People with Disabilities and had demonstrated this commitment through the approval of funding which would supplement the United Kingdom-wide awards announced yesterday.”

The Minister added: “The winning projects cover a range of issues from HIV support to music therapy. The winning projects are spread geographically across Northern Ireland and I am delighted that these additional awards will help foster the rights and participation of people with disabilities. People with disabilities have an important role to play within society and must be afforded every opportunity to participate. I wish to add my appreciation to all the disability organisations for their ongoing work in promoting the rights and participation of people with disabilities."

The regional and local winners were:

• Compass Advocacy Group Limited, Ballymoney
• The HIV Support Centre, Belfast
• Causeway Volunteer Bureau, Ballymoney
• NI Music Therapy Trust, Belfast
• Belfast Shopmobility, Belfast
• Tor Bank School, Dundonald
• Fermanagh Voluntary Association of the Disabled, Enniskillen
• NI Partners in Policy Making Programme, Circles Network, County Fermanagh
• Easy to Talk, North and West Housing, Derry City
• Pride or Prejudice: Our Pride Your Prejudice, North West Forum of People with Disabilities
• DOVE: Disability-Opportunities in Volunteering for Empowerment, Omagh District Volunteer Bureau
• Triangle Supported Employment Transition Workbook, Triangle Housing Association Ltd., Ballymoney.

The European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 will be launched by events across the UK during week commencing 20 January 2003, followed by further events throughout the year.

Because of the considerable over subscription by applicants, Maria Eagle, Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions has announced an extra £1 million to fund additional projects across the United Kingdom. This will bring the total fund available to £2.3 million.

(SP)