Issue 122 - Lisburn BT25 • BT26 •BT27 •BT28 • BT29
£200,000 investment for repairs to historic churches
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced £200,000 in funding towards the long term sustainability of Northern Ireland’s historic church buildings.
A major cross-border initiative supported by PEACEPLUS and led by Outscape called ‘Walking for All’ will deliver short, regular walks in local community spaces.
Walking for All inspires Health, Inclusion and Community
A brand new ‘Walking for All’ programme, a major cross-border initiative supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and led by Outscape will aim to engage over 14,000 people across rural areas in Northern Ireland and the border counties to engage in accessible, led walking activities. Designed to improve health and well-being in rural communities by making walking more accessible, enjoyable, and social for everyone to explore and
participate in, Walking for All, will deliver short, regular walks in local community spaces. The programme is open to adults, regardless of age, background, or
ability. By fostering a focus on connection, inclusion, and wellbeing, Walking for All will seek to build sustainable, healthy communities and address
issues such as social isolation, wellbeing and inactivity.
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The funding will be administered by the National Churches Trust (NCT) to help address a range of urgent structural and fabric repairs at four church buildings. The churches that will receive support are: Mount Merrion Parish Church (CoI), Belfast; Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Belfast; Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church, Newtownabbey; and Seymour Street Methodist Church, Lisburn. Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “We are deeply grateful to the Department and Minister not only for this funding, but for their continued partnership and support over the past eight years, which has made a real and lasting difference to places of worship and the
communities they serve. “These grants will fund essential works to safeguard four historic buildings, helping to keep these churches open, safe and welcoming. Each project reflects the dedication of local congregations and volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these important spaces.” Further information on these grant schemes and on other sources of heritage funding is available at https://www.communitiesni.gov.uk/topics/historicenvironment/historicenvironment-funding-grants Further information on the National Churches Trust’s work in Northern Ireland including events and advice on maintenance is available at https://www. nationalchurchestrust. org/get-support-northernireland.