Family Fund is now urging families living on low incomes in Northern Ireland, with disabled or seriously ill children or young people aged 17 and under, to apply for urgent grant support for essential items, to see them through these final winter months.

The Minister of Health in Northern Ireland, Robin Swann MLA, has provided Family Fund with £500,000 of additional funding to support approximately 1000 more families facing challenging fuel and energy costs, post-pandemic financial and wider pressures and disproportionate extra costs associated with raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person.

This extra grant support will provide families with essential items, including children’s clothing; white goods such as a cooker, fridge or freezer; sensory or specialist play equipment or technology for children and young people, and assistance with much needed family breaks.

Over 80% of families with disabled children in Northern Ireland, who responded to a recent survey by Family Fund, reported being financially worse-off, compared to before the pandemic.

Families are asked to apply for a Family Fund grant before the start of March, by visiting Northern Ireland Grants:  HERE.

 

The Saintfield Men’s Shed provides facilities, amenities, and access to tools and equipment for men aged over 18 who live in and around the Saintfield area. Participants engage in horticulture, making and up-cycling outdoor furniture, inter-generational activities, sharing skills and learning together. Participants take part in training and development and have an opportunity to socialise, enhance their skills and engage in enjoyable creative and recreational activities, including trips and away days. Men involved with the shed have opportunities to take part in awareness raising sessions on various relevant health issues with a number of community and voluntary sector partners.

The Men’s Shed is located off Main Street at the end of the alley between the Turkish Barbers and the solicitor’s office.

Currently the meeting times are: –

• Tuesday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Wednesday 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

For further information contact: –

• Chairman Colin Fleet: 07846803414
• Secretary Leslie Frew: 07935777931
• Treasurer Stephen Wilson: 07969444195

Agriculture minister Edwin Poots MLA paid a short visit to the Saintfield Community Centre on Friday 28th January 2022.

This follows a grant of just over £1200 from the County Down Rural Community Network (CDRCN) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

The grant was successfully applied for by Lawrence Murphy, a trustee of the community centre and chair of the SDA Green Team. The grant was awarded from the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2021/22 and is to fund the purchase and installation of 45 sleepers for three raised beds in the proposed community garden, due to be constructed within the community centre grounds.

Barbara Graham, Chair of the Saintfield Community Trust which manages the Community Centre, conducted the minister around the complex and explained the development and plans for the centre.

The photograph shows the minister (left) with Barbara Graham and Lawrence Murphy.

Saintfield Development Association’s Saintfield News Issue 23 has been distributed by members to homes in Saintfield, but in case you didn’t receive a copy it can be downloaded here by clicking on the image below.

NMD Participatory Budgeting (PB)
The Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has a project called NMD Communities Leading Change Participatory Budgeting (PB).  PB gives the community a chance to make decisions on how part of the public budget is spent.  We can decide which projects we want to see funded in the District.  This is our chance to make the community a better place to live by choosing projects that we think make a difference, projects which promote positive mental health through increased connectivity.  This is the Saintfield entry:

How To Vote
Each person will have a total of five votes, but you can’t vote for the same project multiple times – you have to pick five different ones!

1. In order to vote you will first need to register HERE.
2. Then select Saintfield (on the 4th page) plus four other entries.
3. Finally submit your vote.

Thank you for voting for Saintfield!

The results of the 2021 Translink “Ulster in Bloom” Competition have been announced celebrating horticultural excellence in cities, towns and villages right across Northern Ireland. The 43rd year of the competition, which aims to boost civic pride by officially recognising beautiful plant and floral displays, attracted 125 location entries from local councils, community groups and businesses.

Saintfield came a creditable third in the Large Village category of the competition.  Culleybackey came first in this category, with Stewartstown runner – up.

Saintfield has consistently featured in this annual competition, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Green Team of volunteers in the Saintfield Development Association.  This is coupled with the support of local traders and businesses who maintain their premises and surrounds to a high standard.

Saintfield’s placing is a great result considering the limited resources and restrictions imposed through the Covid pandemic.

Saintfield  – 3rd in the Large Village Category.

Pictured L-R Vivian Lovell (Saintfield Development Association’s Saintfield in Bloom team),
Cllr Frances Burton (Vice President, NILGA), Cllr Robert Burgess (NILGA President),
Dr Michael Wardlow (Translink Chairman),
Denis Conn (Saintfield Development Association’s Saintfield in Bloom team).

Speaking at the Awards, Translink Chairman Michael Wardlow said:

“Translink is proud of its long-standing role in Ulster in Bloom and it’s great to see the competition grow each year, with 125 entries representing all local council areas as well as 24 bus and train stations entering this year.

“It is heartening to see such fantastic demonstrations of community spirit in action, especially given the challenging times everyone has experienced. These awards clearly highlight the pride so many have for their local areas. The time and dedication given to creating such beautiful spaces is commendable. It’s also great to see so much biodiversity and a focus on sustainability, whether through the use of wildflowers or community allotments, this goes hand in hand with Translink’s Climate Positive Strategy to create a cleaner, greener world for generations to come.

“Our winners demonstrate a true Ulster in Bloom ethos with their skill and enthusiasm to improve their local environment for local people and visitors to enjoy. On behalf of Translink, I’d like to congratulate all our Ulster in Bloom Champions.”

The Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA). Councillor Frances Burton, Vice President, NILGA, said:

“The 2021 Translink Ulster in Bloom campaign demonstrated the enormous value and commitment of the 11 councils and our many ‘Bloom’ communities, encouraging us to care for our local places and the wider environment, supporting biodiversity, conservation, wildlife habitats, sustainable planting and the conservation of resources.

“As councils and councillors, a focus on improving the quality of life for citizens right across NI and enhancing our cities, towns and villages has never been more important given the impact of the pandemic on all of us over the past 18 months.

“On behalf of NILGA, our sincere thanks to all those who champion the “In Bloom” message of councils, local committees, residents and businesses, coming together to take pride in the places where you live and work, creating a better environment for everyone to share. Congratulations to everyone and thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.” said Councillor Burton.

To register contact Ellen Brennan via email at ellen.brennan@nmandd.org.