£500,000 Gallaher Trust investment set to transform lives across Ballymena

Gallaher Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley is pictured with, Amber Kirkwood, who works in Crave café, Linda Gillen, who works at The Fern Restaurant and Logan Godfrey, who is employed by Wrightbus. 

More than 1,200 people across Ballymena are set to benefit from a major £500,000 funding commitment announced by The Gallaher Trust, aimed at creating jobs, developing skills and supporting disadvantaged adults over the next three years.

The independent Ballymena-based charity has confirmed funding for nine projects, including four new delivery partners, as part of its latest investment programme for 2025–2028.

The initiative is expected to create nearly 100 new jobs, upskill over 300 individuals, and provide targeted support to those facing barriers to employment and wellbeing.

New delivery partners receiving support include MEA Agewell Partnership, Cullybackey Community Partnership, Deafblind UK and Inspire Wellbeing, organisations working at the frontline of community need.

Funding will also continue for established partners including Habitat for Humanity, which will deliver its new Retail Ready at ReStore project, alongside the Northern Ireland Hospitality School, Northern Regional College’s Manufacturing Academy, Scholarship Schemes delivered with Northern Regional College, and Supporting Communities.

Collectively, the projects reflect a broad approach to regeneration, addressing employability, skills shortages, inclusion and social support, while offering practical pathways into work for people who might otherwise be left behind.

Celebrating the Trust’s commitment of £500,000 to support organisations and projects over the next three years are, from left, Ian Paisley, Chairman of the Trust, Amber Kirkwood, who works in Crave café, Logan Godfrey, employed by Wrightbus and Linda Gillen who works at The Fern restaurant. 

Chairman of The Gallaher Trust, Ian Paisley, said the investment builds on the charity’s founding mission to deliver lasting local impact.

“Since our inception in 2017, The Gallaher Trust has focused on delivering lasting and measurable change for our local community through teaming up with our dedicated delivery partners,” he explained.

“We’re delighted to announce new projects for 2025/2026 alongside the extension of funding for some of our current delivery partners. This next round of funding will go a long way to helping more individuals boost their skills, access employability support and receive much-needed assistance.”

At a human level, the funding is designed to help people move forward — whether that means an older resident accessing vital support, someone with a disability finding tailored assistance, or a jobseeker gaining the qualifications needed to re-enter the workforce.

The Trust says this focus on people, not just programmes, remains central to its approach.

“Our delivery partners share our mission of building a stronger, more resilient and inclusive community and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can achieve over the next few years.”

Since 2017, The Gallaher Trust has committed £3.1 million to community projects, helping to create 445 jobs, upskill over 1,600 individuals, and support almost 2,000 disadvantaged adults across Ballymena and surrounding districts.

According to Mr Paisley, such initiatives are critical at a time when many local employers are struggling with recruitment and skills shortages.

“By supporting projects that create jobs, develop skills and provide essential support to those who need it most, we’re making a big difference to the social and economic fabric of Ballymena and helping to ensure that the town, and those who live in it, have a rich future,” he continued.

“The impact of these initiatives will go far beyond numbers. It’s an opportunity for us to build a stronger community for individuals and local employers alike, who will have access to a pool of highly skilled individuals at a time when many are concerned about skills gaps and recruiting and maintaining a talented workforce.

“On behalf of the Trust, we’re committed to fostering opportunity and helping both individuals and the wider business economy, to reach its fullest potential.”

More information about The Gallaher Trust and the projects it supports is available at www.thegallahertrust.org.