THE National Lottery's small grants scheme is awarding nearly £50,000 to Omagh district groups as part of a grants roll-out of more than £900,000 to 129 groups across Northern Ireland.
Omagh Youth Centre has been awarded a grant of £6,980 to organise activities in its youth club for young people aged 18 and over with learning difficulties like 18-year-old Laura Wilkinson.
Laura's mother Margaret, who is a volunteer at the youth club, explained, "Laura was diagnosed with autism at the age of 16. She has speech and communication problems and is very introverted. Also everything has to be the same and she does not like change.
"Going to the club gives her a chance to mix with other young people her age. It's great fun and there's a lovely atmosphere and if it wasn't for this she would have nothing else to go to. Before this the only thing she was doing was going to school and coming home.
"Laura will leave school when she is 19 and go to Omagh College to do a Step Programme for young people with learning difficulties. It will be a big change for her and the club is helping her become more sociable and independent."
Kilskeery Parish Senior Citizens Association will receive a grant of £9,475 to provide a range of social and recreational activities, aimed at older people, in the Kilskeery area. The project will deliver a range of fitness, history and social activities, improving the health and well being of older people like member Evelyn Arthurs, 72.
She said, "I can't praise the project enough. I just love going along to meet my friends and mix with people from different parts of the community without any mention of religion. It gives me something to look forward as my driving is very limited and I don't get out very often.
"We meet up and have a cup of tea and a chat, play games like boccia and bingo or enjoy armchair aerobics. People also come in and give interesting history talks. We recently went to the Balmoral Show and that was a great day out. I'm really looking forward to the Mystery Tour that is planned for the near future too."
Other groups to receive funding include the Bishop Kelly ABC boxing club, Omagh who receive £10,000. The group provides and develops skills amongst young people. The grant will enable the group to purchase safety and training equipment and a boxing ring for training purposes.
Omagh Explorer Scout Group gets a total of £8,771. The group gives young people the opportunity to participate in physical and educational activity.
The project will purchase equipment to enhance activities.
Nippers Alley Playgroup in Omagh enhances the development and education of children, under the statutory school age, in the Loughmacrory area of Omagh and provides support for parents. The project will purchase new equipment for the group's new playgroup building with its funding of £4,865.
Omagh Youth Centre is a youth club governed by WELB and offers social activities to young people. The project will organise activities for an 18+ group for young people with learning difficulties. It receives £6,980.
St Patrick's Primary School Omagh receives £9,838. The school provides an education service for four to 11-year-olds. The grant will enable the pupils to attend a range of after-school activities.
