A BUSINESS initiative aimed at tackling isolation, upskilling people and providing practical support through food and useful activities has been launched in five areas across Belfast and Derry - and has been backed by the First and Deputy First Ministers.
The 'Keeping Healthy Staying Safe' collaboration is being run by Urban Villages Initiative and supported by Business in the Community Northern Ireland and 12 of its member organisations, who between them have made donations totalling £28,000, and which has been rounded up to £50,000 by the Executive Office.
One project each from the five Urban Village areas have received funding of £10,000, with the recipients being Ballysillan Community Forum, Belfast South Community Resources, Ballymac Friendship Trust and Poleglass Community Association @ Sally Gardens, all in Belfast, and the Triax Neighbourhood Partnership Board in Derry.
Keeping Healthy, Staying Safe is a continuation of the Healthy Summer Project which ran last year, and its aim is to give families and communities in these areas some extra much-needed support at a time when they are coping with both financial pressures and the effects of the pandemic.
Companies supporting the programme include Allstate NI, Arthur Cox, Belfast Harbour, Coca-Cola, DuPont, Belfast City Airport, Henry Brothers, Learning Pool, Portview Fit-Out, PwC, SHS Group and Spar.
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This project brings communities, businesses and government together in a practical partnership that will make a real difference to people’s lives.
“We know these are difficult and anxious times for everyone, but this is felt even more deeply for those in Urban Village areas as they deal with long-standing issues of deprivation and social and economic challenge.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “From providing hot meals for children and the elderly, to delivering food parcels to vulnerable residents, the Keeping Healthy Staying Safe programme will get vital support into communities, and I want to commend the businesses who have stepped up to help address the very real need within our society.”
John Healy, managing director and vice president at Allstate NI, added: “Business has a key role to play in supporting the health and learning and development of our children and young people, who are our future workforce.
“This initiative has provided a great opportunity for business and government to work together to support local communities and I look forward to building on this and doing more to help address key social issues.”
