James Brown MBE and Beverley Brown, James Brown & Sons, are pictured with recipients of the James Brown & Sons Community Fund. www.jamesbrownfuneraldirectors.com

James Brown & Sons Announces Community Fund Recipients

James Brown and Sons has selected six groups that benefit the youth to elderly, those living with disabilities and mums and tots

The third cycle of a Community Fund project launched by local funeral business, James Brown and Sons, has selected six organisations which will benefit by receiving a donation from the £20,000 fund. 

The funding project, created specifically for programmes that benefit local communities in the heart of Belfast and the surrounding areas, has provided funding for a wide range of entities that support vulnerable people in society.

The Belfast-based Mae Murray Foundation’s swimming and hydrotherapy project for those living with disabilities is one of the recipients. It will use the funding to help alleviate pain, improve breathing and lung capacity as well as reduce the loneliness of those who participate.

Meanwhile, in East Belfast, Tullycarnet Community Centre’s lunch club — part of a Men’s Minds Matter programme — will also benefit from James Brown & Sons funding. The club will use the donation to support vulnerable men in the area over the age of 30. Created in the wake of a spate of suicides, this support network will allow users to discuss mental health and offer a safe space to relax and talk.

Off Broadway in south Belfast, Windsor Women’s Centre will seek to entertain and support elderly people living in the Village area through a crafts programme called Silver Threads and Bobbins. The creative group will offer respite for the elderly and a social outlet in which to alleviate loneliness.

And in Glengormley, mums and their babies will be encouraged to get active through Fitmoms and Kids’ Stay and Play project, which offers a space where mothers can participate in strength and cardio exercise, while their children are looked after and indulge in soft and creative play.

Victoria Park Primary School’s ‘The Den’ initiative will also benefit from the fund. It is a short-term intervention project that addresses the social, emotional and learning needs of individual pupils.

North of Belfast, the Monkstown Village Initiatives’ Youthworks project will put its funding that has been secured towards meeting a greater need in the area for recreational support for youths. This will include everything from learning hubs to activities and talks.

Speaking about the final distribution of funding for its first year, James Brown said: “It has been a humbling experience for us to serve the people of Belfast and beyond for almost 120 years during which we have made countless charitable donations. We launched the Community Fund in my family’s name and in its inaugural year, I am immensely proud to have been able to recognise and provide much needed money to help support such wonderful causes in our area through the James Brown & Sons Community Fund.

“The goal of this fund is to ensure funding goes directly to those who need it at a specific time and we do this via an application process that allows us to accommodate those who need it most.

“Our six projects this time round represent some really admirable work in the community and it is an honour for us to support them. We wish them all the best with their continued efforts and contribution to the people in their local communities.”

The fund will open again in March 2023. For further information and to apply to the fund, applicants can visit www.jamesbrownfuneraldirectors.com or email [email protected].

 

Last updated 1 year 2 months ago