£89K in small grants to tackle drug and alcohol issues
The Public Health Agency (PHA) recently issued over £89,000 in small grants to community and voluntary organisations in the Northern area to tackle drug and alcohol issues. The funding will be used to help local people make healthier choices; to support a range of services and to tackle the effect of parental substance misuse on families and children, referred to as ‘hidden harm’.
Seven voluntary and community sector organisations shared funding of £48,000 to deliver a range of services and initiatives in support of the Northern Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team’s (NDACT) Drug and Alcohol Local Action Plan 2011/12 and the regional ‘Addressing Young People’s Drinking in Northern Ireland’ Action Plan.
A further five grants, totalling over £41,000, were awarded to voluntary and community organisations in the PHA Northern area to support the regional PHA and Health and Social Care Board ’Hidden Harm’ Action Plan 2010.
Madeline Heaney, Head of Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement (North), PHA said: “The PHA, as part of the NDACT partnership, is pleased to offer Small Grants funding to local organisations that are delivering projects to tackle alcohol and drug misuse in the Northern area.
“The effects of alcohol and drugs misuse and hidden harm reach far beyond the individual concerned, affecting families and communities, damaging health and wellbeing, employment, relationships and social cohesion. This funding will enhance the health and social wellbeing of people in our local communities, encouraging healthy choices and offering support where it is needed most.”
Kathy Goumas, NDACT Chairperson, said: “NDACT recognises the vital contribution that voluntary and community organisations can make in helping us meet the outcomes of our Action Plans within the Northern area. We are delighted that these worthwhile projects are being funded by the Public Health Agency and look forward to seeing their full implementation over the coming year.”
Ends
Contact the PHA Press Office on: (028) 9031 1611.
- The Public Health Agency takes the lead on the DHSSPS New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs 2006–2011.
- The Northern Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team (NDACT) is made up of
• Public Health Agency
• Northern Health and Social Care Trust
• Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
• Local Community Safety Partnerships
• Northern Group of Councils
• Probation Board (NI)
• Voluntary and Community Sector Network
• NEELB / SELB Youth Service and Schools
• Youth Justice Agency
• Neighbourhood Renewal (Department of Social Development)
• Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• Health and Social Care Board - The Seven groups that received part of the £48,000 funding are:
o New Mossley Community Group – ‘New Mossley Young People Against Drug and Alcohol Misuse (ADAM)’
o Big Telly Theatre Company – ‘Operation Blitzed’
o Patchwork (Ireland) – ‘Rebuilding and Aftercare Package’
o Teenagers Involved in Protecting Selves around Alcohol – ‘Reaching Out’
o ACET (Northern Ireland) Limited – ‘Personal Development Programme’
o Hope Centre 'BFASG' – ‘IN-SYNC’
o Carrickfergus Community Drug & Alcohol Advisory Group – ‘MOTIV8’ - The five groups that were awarded part of the £41,000 funding are:
o Dunlewey Substance Advice Centre (NI) Ltd – ‘Dunlewey Hidden Harm Project’
o Patchwork (Ireland) – ‘Counselling Services focusing on Hidden Harm’
o Teenagers Involved in Protecting Selves around Alcohol – ‘Turn Up, Tune Out, Drop In’
o Hope Centre 'BFASG' – ‘Building Bridges’
o Carrickfergus Community Drug & Alcohol Advisory Group – ‘Shine Project’ - The Northern area is made up of the following local authorities: Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Larne, Magherafelt, Moyle and Newtownabbey.