Vote for local group to win £50k funding

The Big Lottery Fund wanted to celebrate some of the incredible projects it has funded and has worked with UTV to shortlist five projects across Northern Ireland – including Linking Generations NI.

The projects will compete for National Lottery funding to develop their work even further to improve the lives of people in their communities.

The three with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £50,000. Voting is open from 9am on Monday 20 March at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk until midday on Monday 3 April.

UTV Live will feature the projects at 6pm over five nights from Monday, March 20 to Friday, March 24. Linking Generations NI will feature on Tuesday 21 March.

If it is successful, the group will receive £50,000 for its Connecting Care Homes project which will use the funding to connect older people with schools, youth clubs and sports clubs within their local communities, including in Banbridge.

The intergenerational activities, including an art project, will be decided on by the people taking part and will reduce social isolation, tackle ageism and increase the younger and older people’s confidence and skills.

Julie Harrison, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “The People’s Projects is a chance for you to decide how National Lottery funding can benefit your local community, so make sure you have your say on who you think should win!” People can only vote once and will need an email address to vote*. To vote go to www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk