Big Lottery ‘reaches out’ £160,000 to Ballee

Ballee Community Association received the substantial windfall from Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Out: Connecting Older People programme which supports older people at risk who have been affected by issues such as bereavement, disability or long term illness or who live in residential care or sheltered housing.

The local group will use the grant to expand the club it runs to improve the lives of isolated older people living in the Ballee estate, giving more people the chance to attend and improving the services and activities on offer.

As well as giving members a meal and running a range of activities, education talks and social outings, the project will also offer complementary therapies, bring in a pharmacist to offer health advice, and run a project helping build trust between older and young people in the area.

“This is an area of disadvantage and a lot of older people live alone and have no families, so they can feel quite lonely and isolated. Some of them barely get the chance to get out of the house and many of them have health issues and difficulties with money,” said Chairperson Margaret McKeown.

“We will now be able to bring in more therapists who can help with aches and pains, and a local pharmacist will come in to help them manage the drugs they take and teach about diet and blood pressure.

“We are also hoping to bring in older people from two local care homes, giving them the chance to take part in activities, and the intergenerational projects will help improve understanding and respect between the younger and older generations,” she said.

“This funding means we can give more vulnerable older people in the area the chance to make friends, improve their confidence and physical and mental health, and ensure they have support in their lives,” added Margaret.

The club is a lifeline for David Lorimer, 76, who lives alone in the estate.

“It does get lonely for me, and if it wasn’t for the club I would be sitting looking at four walls and wouldn’t meet anybody,” he said.

“I have asthma and use a walking stick so having this club so close is a big help. You look forward to going to the club because it’s a place to chat to people you haven’t seen all week. You talk to people your own age, and reminisce about things you did years ago. It just makes a big difference to my life.”

Frank Hewitt, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: “I am delighted that we are announcing the first grants awarded through our £20 million Connecting Older People programme. We would encourage organisations in Northern Ireland that have an idea for a project to support the most isolated and vulnerable older people in society to apply to the programme now.

“Grants of up to £500,000 are available to support older people through activities such as physical and mental health projects, volunteering programmes and projects that will bring isolated older people and young people together.”

The Reaching Out: Empowering Young People programme is open now for applications. To find out more visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk