Galway community groups receive vital funding boost – ‘We are extremely grateful to receive this grant’
A number of community groups across Galway are celebrating this week after receiving a vital funding boost through a Government-led scheme.
The Local Enhancement Programme has allocated money to eight Galway organisations in partnership with the Local Community Development Committee.
Funded by the Rural and Community Development, €213,601 will go towards improvements in primarily disadvantaged areas including necessary repairs, running costs like insurance bills and energy costs, and to purchase equipment around County Galway.
Ability West, a disability support service, received funding through this scheme, which will be used to purchase music equipment for a weekly nine-hour music program for individuals with intellectual disabilities, according to communications manager Trish Verheij.
“Our aim is to make music more accessible, support creative expression, build confidence and skills, and foster social inclusion through music. Many of our projects also focus on disability rights and advocacy – using music not just as a creative outlet, but as a platform for raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and amplifying the voices of people with intellectual disabilities.”
The LCDC’s Local Economic and Community Plan is driven by six achievable goals for the county between 2024-2030. Applicants to the programme were asked to relate their needs to further the cause of at least one key idea in the plan layout.
When the scheme was announced, €6m in capital supports were provided to prioritise local communities and the needs that can be met through these organisations.
Minister Humphreys said: “Although small in nature, these grants provide a lifeline to many small but vital community groups. I have been privileged to visit many of these groups over the last number of years and have seen first-hand the fantastic work they do and how important these grants are for them and the communities they serve.”
Salthill’s Blue Teapot Theatre Company will be using the funds to purchase an Apple MacBook for production support. “Having our own theatre production MacBook enables us to utilise industry standard software such as QLab for sound & lighting operations. Not only that, but the MacBook will also support us in the rehearsal room as we’ll be able to document creative processes and replay scenes to our actors to aid memorisation and blocking of movement around the stage.”
“We are extremely grateful to receive this grant through the LCDC funding round, as it can be difficult to obtain capital grants through traditional arts funding.
“We will also be purchasing a new wheelchair complete with power pack to give electrical assistance to one of our beneficiaries, especially useful when navigating some of the narrow footpaths of medieval Galway.”
Some of the local organisations receiving funding are:
-Ballinfoile Mór Community Garden, Galway City - €2,460
-Blue Teapot Theatre Company, Galway City - €3,460
-Golden Girls Ladies Club, Tuam - €1,000
-Moycullen Film Club, Moycullen - €600
-Galway Volunteer Centre, Galway City - €4,000
-UHUG/Ukranians Helping Ukrainians Galway, Shantalla - €1,160
-Oughterard Courthouse Conservation & Heritage Comapany, Oughterard - €4,000