FFK Associates

22/10/2023

What a great morning SERC Campus Ballynahinch! Lots of buzz about with people from the local community coming along to vote for the exhibiting community projects.

Thanks to all the groups for their wonderful stalls and all those who came along to support them.

This type of event is not just about winning a grant for your group or project, it also gives each participating group the opportunity to let people from the community know what they do. That certainly happened yesterday, with people finding out more about what these worthwhile groups are doing for the greater Ballynahinch area.

Well done to :
Ballynahinch Uniform Zone BUZ
Ballynahinch Community Collective
Heart of Down Red Squirrels
Harry's Mates
First Ballynahinch Scout Group Ballynahinch First Presbyterian

Votes will counted this week and groups notified soon after.

Well done again everyone 👏👏👏

22/10/2023

Great to see a fabulous turn out at Ballynahinch yesterday 👏👏👏

17/10/2023

Applications have now been received and assessed.

The community of Ballynahinch and surrounding areas is invited to come along to the SERC Campus on Saturday morning to cast their votes!

The community projects have been chosen are Harry’s mates, Ballynahinch Community Collective, Heart of Down Red Squirrel group, Ballynahinch Uniform Zone and First Ballynahinch Scout Group. They will have stalls at the event on Saturday morning.

People from the community can come along and vote for their favourite projects which then can win a grant for their group to run the project. The event is on from 11am to 1pm in the SERC campus on Church Road.

Choice Housing

15/10/2023

👗Following the huge success of the grant programme last year we are delighted to launch the 2023 Tackling Textiles: Skills & Innovation Fund supported by DAERA

👚Reuse, Repair & Reimagine

👠 https://keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.etinu.net/cgi-bin/generic?instanceID=86

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Fashion Forever NI

12/10/2023

📣📣📣 Calling community & voluntary groups 📣📣📣

The deadline for applications to win an 🥇Award 🥇 of up to £1000 for a community project has been extended until Monday 16th October at 4.00pm

All you have to do is complete a short application form to include your community project details. If your project meets the criteria the next step is for a few representatives to attend the Choice Housing Community Decision Day event on Saturday 21st October, with a stall to tell people from the local community about your project. Local people who attend the event vote for their 4 top projects.

Over 200 people attended a Community Decision Day in Saintfield recently, and the atmosphere was fantastic! It’s a great way for people to get out and hear about what local community & voluntary groups are doing & get more support and people involved.

12/10/2023

Contact Tara Smyth 07511 046135 to book your place for the Newry event which takes place on Tuesday 17th October from 10.30am to 12.30 in Newry Leisure Centre.

11/10/2023

Still time to get your application in! Closing tomorrow - Thursday 12th October- at 4.00pm

11/10/2023

In case you missed it 👇
Small Grants programme now open

Organisations can apply for grants between £500-£5,000 to deliver arts projects which contribute to the growth of arts in the community & which reflect the diversity of NI’s society & culture.

Find out more and apply: https://artscouncil-ni.org/funding-for-organisations/small-grants

11/10/2023

⏰⏰Application deadline tomorrow ⏰⏰

09/10/2023

First Aid Training was delivered to Cahard Flute Band, Cahard, Ballynahinch by trainer Gillian Napier from the St John Ambulance.
The training was funded through the Choice Housing and the Housing for All Programme, under one of the core principles of Health. Thanks also to Frances McCormick from County Down Rural Community Network who worked with the band to get the training, Mark Kent from Choice Housing and Andrew Kernaghan who arranged the training. Big thanks to Gillian for keeping everyone right on the day.
Choice Housing
County Down Rural Community Network

06/10/2023

⏰⏳⏰ APPLICATION CLOSING DATE ~ Thursday 12th October 2023 @ 4.00pm ⏰⏳⏰

💷Choice Housing Participatory Budgeting is coming to Ballynahinch on Saturday 21st October 2023.

✍️Application process is now open with a closing date of Thursday 12th October at 4.00pm.

📖See attached leaflets for details. Website links for more information & application form posted in comments.

Choice Housing
Ballynahinch Community Collective
Ballynahinch Mens Shed
Ballynahinch RFC
Ballynahinch High
Ballynahinch Olympic FC
Ballynahinch Baptist
Ballynahinch RFC Ladies
Ballynahinch Methodist Church
Ballynahinch RFC Youth Rugby
St Patrick's Primary School, Ballynahinch
Friends of Ballynahinch Primary School
Ballynahinch Market House

28/09/2023

💷Choice Housing Participatory Budgeting is coming to Ballynahinch on Saturday 21st October 2023.

✍️Application process is now open with a closing date of Thursday 12th October at 4.00pm.

📖See attached leaflets for details. Website links for more information & application form posted in comments.

25/09/2023

Pictured at the launch of the Choice Community Decision Day for Ballynahinch are Faith McDowell resident of Choice shared housing area, Ballymaglave Court, Ballynahinch, Mark Kent, Choice Good Relations Officer, and Rita Murray Chairperson of Central Network.

The Choice Community Decision Day takes place on Saturday 21st October 2023, from 11am to 1pm, at the SERC Ballynahinch Campus, Church Road.

Applications are now being accepted, with a closing date of Thursday 12th October. More information and how to apply are included in comments below.

The launch took place on Saturday during a fabulous Mini Mela event organised by Ballynahinch Community Collective and supported by Choice Housing .

22/09/2023

Good Relations Week.
Come along to this Free event at the Market Square, Ballynahinch.
We are excited to see you on Saturday.
Harry's Place CIC FFK Associates Choice Housing

20/09/2023

💷Choice Housing Participatory Budgeting is coming to Ballynahinch on Saturday 21st October 2023.

✍️Application process is now open with a closing date of Thursday 12th October at 4.00pm.

📖See attached leaflets for details. Website links for more information & application form posted in comments.

Ballynahinch High
Ballynahinch Primary School
St Patrick's Primary School, Ballynahinch
Assumption Grammar
Ballynahinch Olympic FC
Friends of Ballynahinch Primary School
Ballynahinch Free Presbyterian Church
Ballynahinch Community Collective
Harry's Place CIC
Ballynahinch Baptist
Ballynahinch Mens Shed
Ballynahinch RFC Youth Rugby
Ballynahinch RFC Ladies
Ballynahinch RFC
Naomh Cholmaín Droím an Easa Drumaness GAC
Drumaness Super Kings Cricket Club
Drumaness Mills FC
Drumaness & District Community Association
Christ the King Primary School, Drumaness, Co Down
St Colman's High School & Sixth Form College
Ballynahinch Methodist Church
Drumlins Integrated Primary School
Spa Womens Institute
Spa Young Farmers

18/09/2023

18th - 24th September

18/09/2023

This week is Good Relations Week. Lots of events being held in local communities throughout Northern Ireland.

Check out this exciting event in Ballynahinch on Saturday, organised by Ballynahinch Community Collective , facilitated by Arts Ekta and funded through Choice Housing Housing for All programme Choice Housing

👉Date: Saturday 23 September 2023
👉Time: 1.00pm to 3.00pm
👉Venue: The Market Square, Ballynahinch

14/09/2023

Next week is Good Relations Week. Lots of events being held in local communities throughout Northern Ireland.

Check out this exciting event in Ballynahinch next Saturday, organised by Ballynahinch Community Collective and funded through Choice Housing Housing for All programme

👉Date: Saturday 23 September 2023
👉Time: 1.00pm to 3.00pm
👉Venue: The Market Square, Ballynahinch

11/09/2023

Funding programmes currently open 👇

🔹Musical Instruments for Individuals
🔹Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards
🔹Health & Safety Capital Programme
🔹Musical Instruments for Bands
🔹Musical Instruments for professional & non-professional groups

Visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/funding

03/07/2023

Choice Housing and partners award four community groups £1K each
Four local community projects in the Saintfield area have been awarded £1K each by local housing association Choice Housing in partnership with the Department for Communities (DfC) and the NI Housing Executive.
Community organisations in the area applied for the ‘Participatory Budgeting Programme’ aimed at giving local groups the opportunity to put forward proposals for funded programmes that would benefit the local area. The Participatory Budgeting Programme is delivered as part of the Department for Communities and Housing Executive’s Shared Housing Programme – ‘Housing for All’, which has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy.
This plan will aim to deliver tailored initiatives for the local community in an effort to strengthen community relations and form new partnerships for the good of the local area. The Participatory Budgeting Programme forms part of the Saintfield Good Relations Plan which is delivered to all communities within a five-mile radius of the Manse Court shared housing development.
Following an event, held in Saintfield Community Centre on the 17th of June in which groups engaged with local residents and other community groups to present their ideas, four groups were successful. The Monday Social Group, Saintfield Community Association, Saintfield Men’s Shed and Little Sunbeams Pre-School & Playgroup were all awarded £1K each, voted for by local people.
Mark Kent, Choice Housing’s Good Relations Officer said,
“A key element of this programme is ensuring that community funding is allocated based on need of the local community and who is better placed to deliver this than local community groups and residents themselves.
“They know first hand what their community needs and how best to deliver it. Choice Housing and partners are committed to facilitating the delivery of tailored initiatives in an effort to strengthen community relations. I would like to congratulate the four successful groups and we look forward to continuing this partnership going forward.”

02/07/2023

20/06/2023

Such a great turn out on Saturday for the Saintfield area CHOICE Community Decision Day event in Saintfield Community Centre, over 200 people in attendance.

The event followed a marketplace style where each group had a stall to demonstrate their work and projects to the community voters. No effort was spared and the stalls were all amazing. Well done to all the groups involved.

Votes will be tallied this week and applicants will be notified as soon after that as possible.

Thank you to everyone who came along to support the fabulous work in the community that is going on in and around Saintfield.

Choice Housing
Rowallane Community Hub
Saintfield Community Association
Saintfield and Carrickmannon Parish
Little Sunbeams Pre-School & Playgroup
Saintfield Men's Shed
Saintfield Hen’s Shed

13/06/2023

Application deadline has now passed. ⌛️

A brief summary of successful applicants can be found by clicking the link below:

https://marianfitzpatrick.com/community-projects-2023/

The local community from the Saintfield area are invited to come along to support those local groups who have applied, all you need to do is call to the community centre on Saturday between 1pm and 3pm. Have a chat in our Marketplace event where to groups will each have a stall to tell you about their project. THen vote for your top four.

All welcome. Light refreshments available.

10/06/2023

08/06/2023

Applications are being processed, closing date Monday 12th at 4.00pm.

4 local groups will benefit from an award of up to £1000 each for a community project.

The Decision Day takes place next Saturday 17th June in Saintfield Community Centre. Drop in anytime between 1pm and 3pm to vote for your 4 top projects.

Applicant groups will each have a table so that you can walk around and chat to them and find out more about their project, and also the work they do all year round in the community.

Light refreshments available.

Still time to get an application in over the weekend. Form can be downloaded from www.marianfitzpatrick.com/downloads all the criteria and information is included on the application form.

02/06/2023

The date for Saintfield CHOICE Community Decision Day is fast approaching 🙂

👉👉👉Saturday 17th June 2023 👈👈👈

This is a great opportunity for community and voluntary organisations from the Saintfield area (within a 5 mile radius), or individuals with a community project, to apply for an award of up to £1000 to run a project that will benefit the community.

The criteria and more information are included on the application form which will can be downloaded from the link (in comments below) or please message this page or email [email protected]

Applicants must be a constituted organisation but individuals or small groups of individuals can be sponsored by a constituted organisation.

This programme is part of ongoing work of Choice Housing in the community in the Saintfield area.

Remember to encourage your members and supporters to come along and cast their vote on the day!

20/05/2023

We are pleased to announce the CHOICE Community Decision Day which will be held in 👉Saintfield Community Centre on
👉Saturday 17th June 2023.

This is a great opportunity for community and voluntary organisations from the Saintfield area (within a 5 mile radius), or individuals with a community project, to apply for an award of up to £1000 to run a project that will benefit the community. The criteria and more information are included on the application form which will shortly be available to download, in the meantime please message this page or email [email protected]

Applicants must be a constituted organisation but individuals or small groups of individuals can be sponsored by a constituted organisation.

We will circulate more information in the coming weeks about how the community can come along to the event to vote for their favourite projects.

This programme is part of Choice Housing ongoing work in the community.

Saintfield Community Association
Saintfield Community Centre
Rowallane Community Hub
St Caolans Primary School
Darragh Cross GAC
Saintfield Striders
Saintfield Sports Club
Saintfield Men's Shed
Saintfield United Football Club
First Saintfield Presbyterian Church
First Saintfield Girls' Brigade
Saintfield District 5 Loyal Orange Lodge
Saintfield Baptist Church
Saintfield Baptist Youth
Saintfield and Carrickmannon Parish
Saintfield Parish Youth
Saintfield Parish
Saintfield Playgroup
2nd Saintfield Presbyterian Church
Academy Primary and Nursery School news page

Consulting agency

22/04/2023

As part of our work to support Ukrainian families and older residents in the area we organised a series of events through the NMD Council Age Friendly project.

One was a visit to Newry Fire Station, with a guided tour and some demos , we got to sit inside a Fire Engine & try on the gear! Brought it home how difficult it is even just to get ready for a call out 🚒

We also had talks from the local community policing team on how to recognise scams,
this was of particular interest to our older attendees. Road Safe NI was also in attendance to talk about their work.

This event was supported by The Age Friendly Programme at Newry,Mourne & Down District Council.

30/03/2023

We were delighted to be part of a recent event in The Market House, Ballynahinch, which enabled Ukrainians living the the Ballynahinch and wider area to meet and connect with local information services and community support.

The event was organised by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Rowallane DEA with Support from Choice Housing.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Choice Housing

17/03/2023

Meet & Connect Event for Ukrainian families and individuals in Ballynahinch and wider area.

Venue: Market House , Ballynahinch
Date: Wednesday 29th March 6pm to 8pm

See poster for details

Booking link in comments

07/03/2023

🕒 Newry, Mourne and Down Job Fair takes place on Thursday in Down Leisure Centre.

✍️9am-2pm
✍️Free event
✍️No registration required

Get the chance to speak to different employers in many different industries and receive career guidance.

Jobs & Benefits Northern Ireland

11/02/2023

Event looking at road safety, fire and crime prevention in Northern Ireland. Issues covered will include keeping safe in the home and staying safe on the road as well as current scams circulating how to spot them and how to report them

Подія, присвячена безпеці дорожнього руху, запобіганню пожежам і злочинності в Північній Ірландії. Охоплені питання включатимуть забезпечення безпеки вдома та безпеку на дорозі, а також поточні шахрайства, які поширюються, як їх виявити та як повідомити про них.

Limited places- booking essential.

Booking link in comments.

Обмежена кількість місць – обов’язкове бронювання.

Посилання на бронювання в коментарях.

04/01/2023

Link to book

https://bookwhen.com/ffkassociates/e/ev-s5lk-20230113190000

20/10/2022

https://www.open.ac.uk/scotland/news/help-people-supporting-ukrainians-launched-ou

The OU has launched a new free online course for people housing, caring for or working with Ukrainians in the UK.

13/10/2022

DiscoveRed. Tesco Newry
Saturday 22nd October

06/10/2022

Department for Communities' Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced the application process for the next Developing Women in the Community Programme – Phase Two is now open

Funding will be awarded as follows:

💷£30,000 for 2022/23 year and must be spent by 31 March 2023 and
💷£50,000 for 2023/24 year which must be spent by 31 March 2024 (subject to availability)

⏰Application deadline 4pm on 31 Oct 2022

Details👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3rBl1US

07/09/2022

🎉 Exciting news from The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland

The is back!

The National Lottery and UTV Northern Ireland are working together to give community projects across Northern Ireland the chance to win up to £70k each in funding.

Find out how to apply: www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk

06/09/2022

New page for Hello NMD Newcomer Support Programme.

Like & follow for event and programme updates

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085262089747

Entrepreneur

04/08/2022

Hello NMD Programme Downpatrick Information & launch event tomorrow morning at 10.30am in Down Arts Centre Downpatrick. All welcome. Booking link in comments. A PEACE IV Initiative