In 2018, Portglenone Enterprise Group received £350,902 over a period of 5 years from The National Lottery, People & Communities fund towards ‘Unity in the Community’.

‘Unity in the Community’ was designed and developed by PEG, in partnership with community groups to bring about positive social change. Portglenone Enterprise Group led on the submission of the funding application, working collaboratively with 8 other groups and developing 4 new groups.

Unity in the Community’ is a project funded by The National Lottery (TNL) Community Fund. The TNL Community Fund is committed to supporting communities in the UK, through providing grants.

The Project was very successful with all groups reporting increased opportunities for social interaction and groups improved their capacity to accommodate more people, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, boosting social connections.

A key objective of all local groups involved in the project was to build the individual resilience, confidence and personal wellbeing of participants. All the groups have provided this by allowing individuals to get out of the house and meet different people regularly, in different contexts. This is particularly pertinent for those who have lonely lives, a particularly worrying issue for those living in rural areas with limited family support networks or transport.

For many people who were engaged through the project, confidence has been improved by simply having a safe place to be, or through connections which have developed into friendships and a support network. Confidence, like improved social connectedness, was a key to support achievement and better outcomes, with people feeling like they ‘are moving forward’.

Portglenone Enterprise Group and the 12 groups within the project would like to thank The National Lottery for their funding to support the local people in Portglenone.