NEWS

Galgorm Collection has announced a three-year partnership with Cambridge House Grammar School’s rugby team. Pictured are, from left, Charlie Turtle, Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection, Shay Gill, captain, Jordan McKinstry, Head of Rugby at Cambridge House Grammar School and Thomas Caldwell. Monday 19 October 2026 Cambridge House Grammar School’s rugby players are set to benefit from new playing kits, equipment and specialist coaching through a

Thursday 15 October 2026 Eighteen farms across Northern Ireland have been awarded more than £130,000 to improve facilities and accessibility for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, helping provide opportunities to build confidence, develop practical skills and connect with others through everyday farming activities. The funding, announced by Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir, will support the development of social farming, an alte

Galgorm Collection has announced a five-year partnership with Ballymena Runners. Pictured alongside Georgie Briota, centre, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection are, Raymond Ruck, Chair of Ballymena Runners and Teresa Mark, Committee Member. Sunday 11 October 2026 Ballymena Runners have secured a new five-year partnership with Galgorm Collection, providing long-term sponsorship for the 370-member club and its popular all-female Ballymena Belles 5 Mile race. The

Pictured (L-R) are: Kathryn Hill, Chief Operating Officer, Invest Northern Ireland, Conor Jackson, Managing Director, Jacksons Catering Equipment and Joni Harding, Managing Director, The Leisure Experts. Thursday 08 October 2026 Fifty-seven small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Ireland have secured more than £2.4 million in loans to help them expand, develop new products, recruit staff and strengthen their finances. The funding, provided through Invest Northern Ir

Local people will develop their IT skills due to a series of computer classes currently being delivered by Inspire Wellbeing, following a £9,200 funding injection from The Gallaher Trust. Danielle Sheridan, Inspire Wellbeing, is pictured alongside James Perry MBE, a Trustee at The Gallaher Trust. Tuesday 06 October 2026 Almost 50 people in the Ballymena area are being given the opportunity to build essential digital skills through a new training programme backed by £9,200 fro

Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen is pictured with representatives of Connect Fund partner organisations Bbeyond and Belfast School of Art during a visit to Bbeyond's Belfast headquarters. L-R: Artist Programme Manager at Bbeyond Bronagh Lawson; Lecturer at Belfast School of Art Dr Sandra Johnston, Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen and Artist Administrator at Bbeyond Zara Lyness. Friday 02 October 2026 Community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland and Great

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured at the launch of the Connexus project funded by PEACEPLUS with Gobhnait Swift, Libraries Development and Community Policy at Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive at SEUPB; Karalynn McCutcheon, Head of Investment Branch at Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Ryan Black, Director of Growth & Major Projects at Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.

Pictured at the Giant’s Causeway to launch this year’s competition is Alderman Thomas Gordon, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and founder of Noord and winner of last year's Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, Sander Van Eck. Wednesday 30 September 2026 Ten entrepreneurs from across Mid and East Antrim will put their business ideas before judges this Friday, competing for £1,000 and the chance to represent the borough at a Northern Ireland final. From artisan baking a

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at Blanchflower Stadium with Graham Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer at the Irish Football Association, and Jake and Leon from Ashfield Boys' High School. Wednesday 30 September 2026 Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is among seven applicants moving to the next stage of a £9 million programme to improve grassroots football facilities across Northern Ireland. The seven were selected from 42 applications to the Northern Irela

Friday 25 September 2026 People facing lengthy waits for healthcare in Northern Ireland are set to receive more free community-based support after a £500,000 funding scheme was extended for another year. The Support While Waiting Grant Scheme will fund charities to provide practical assistance, emotional and mental health support, and help patients manage existing conditions while they remain on Health and Social Care waiting lists. £5,000 to £30,000 grants available Health M

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured at Larne Rugby Football Club with Sophia Dorman, Derek Lough, President Larne RFC, Richard Archibald, Interim CEO Sport NI and Ollie Swann at the announcement of a £2million funding package for the Minister’s Olympic Legacy Fund for 2026/27. Thursday 24 September 2026 Sports clubs in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland have a fresh opportunity to improve facilities and buy new equipment after £2million was made available through th

Ballymena Business Centre is marking the achievements of two highly successful projects, Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation, funded by The Gallaher Trust. Pictured are, from left, Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager, Ryan Burton from Peak Shaving, Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust, Taig Brookes, from Airtac and Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE, Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre. Monday 21 September 2026 Two Ballymena business support programme

Sunday 20 September 2026 More than £148,000 has been awarded to eight projects working across Mid and East Antrim to help prevent violence against women and girls, with initiatives involving young people, families, schools, sport and community organisations. The latest round of the Local Change Fund will support grassroots work aimed at challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours, promoting healthy relationships and addressing some of the root causes of gender-based violence

ProMetNI Founders Scot and Helen Nelson received assistance from Go Succeed A family-run County Antrim metal fabrication business is setting its sights on growth beyond Northern Ireland as it builds on more than two decades of industry experience. ProMetNI, based at Dennison Industrial Estate, Ballyclare, is exploring new markets and expanding its range of products and services after receiving business support through the Go Succeed programme. Founded in 2022 by husband-and-w

Thursday 17 September 2026 A £50,000 project to provide toilet facilities at Ronán’s Way near Cushendun has been reinstated after land ownership concerns put the plans at risk. Ronán’s Way, on the McAuley family’s working farm near Cushendun, honours his wish to share the beauty of Glendun with others. Its routes stretch from riverside fields to upland peatland, with views towards Scotland. The toilet facilities project had been withdrawn from a wider PEACEPLUS-funded trails

Ballymena Town Hall, and (inset) Braid Councillor Alan Barr Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed a call for a dedicated Stormont funding programme to help community groups tackle weeds, litter and neglected public spaces across the borough. The proposal would provide financial support for community organisations and social enterprises carrying out environmental improvements, although several councillors cautioned that any new scheme must not allow councils or other sta

People affected by cancer are set to receive more practical, emotional and wellbeing support closer to home as a £1.25 million funding scheme opens to charities and community organisations across Northern Ireland. Health Minister Robbie Butler and Macmillan Cancer Support have confirmed a second year of the Cancer Charities Grant Scheme, with applications opening today, Thursday 10 September. The scheme is aimed at supporting services beyond hospital treatment — from rehabili

An £8,500 donation is helping Clough Primary School and Nursery Unit create a dedicated sensory room where children can find a calm, supportive space during the school day. The new facility at the Ballymena school will support pupils who benefit from additional emotional and sensory support, helping them to regulate their emotions, reduce anxiety and return to the classroom more settled and ready to learn. The funding has come from the St. James’s Place (SJP) Charitable Found

Pictured are representatives from organisations that received funding through the first round of the Community Awards 2026 with Jenni Barkley, Communications and Community Engagement Manager at Belfast Harbour. Grassroots organisations are being offered the chance to secure grants of up to £5,000 as the second round of Belfast Harbour’s 2026 Community Awards opens for applications. Groups across Belfast and beyond can apply, with funding available for projects that strengthen

Share Energy Director, Jonny Barr pictured with members of Larne Ladies Hockey Club, celebrating Share's ongoing commitment to supporting the club's junior teams. Young hockey players in Larne are heading into the season with continued backing from locally-owned electricity supplier Share Energy, which is supporting three of Larne Ladies Hockey Club’s junior squads. The sponsorship covers the club’s U11, U13 and U15 teams, providing training tops for players and helping ensu