Local businesses also worked in partnership with groups by donating food that the groups could distribute.

As there was a concern around the effects that isolating would have on people’s mental health, the groups wanted to do more than deliver food and so each group set about finding additional means to let the community know they were there for them. Ballee Community Association delivered activity packs for older people, Ballykeel Together Development Association, organised Doorstep Music on two occasions which provided some much-needed entertainment for residents.

Ballykeel 1 Moving Forward maintained a strong community presence by cutting grass around the estate and using their ‘adopted’ wall to place murals throughout the year, to offer support to frontline workers as well as commemorate the 75th VE Day celebration and Somme Memorial.

Harryville Men’s Shed were able to supply emergency items to members as well as the chairman being a constant source of support for the Shed members. The Men’s Shed along with Raglan Community Development Renovation Society also supported the community with a Peace IV funded allotment project that proved to be a lifeline for many during the summer, as they were able to offer a safe, socially distanced activity that promoted good mental health and wellbeing.

All groups are looking to the future and putting plans into place to try to start up new projects as well as recommencing existing projects.