Three Northern Ireland community initiatives are set to share almost £64,000 in the latest round of funding from the Northern Ireland Office’s Connect Fund, bringing the total distributed by
the scheme to nearly £400,000 across 12 projects to date.
Among the newest recipients is the Castle Community Trust in North Belfast. Its “Veterans and Volunteers” project aims to tackle social isolation among former service members by building stronger connections between veterans in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The programme will link participants from Belfast and Shrewsbury through workshops, exchange visits, and collaborative activities focused on wellbeing, reconciliation, and shared experience. More than 20 veterans are expected to take part.
After visiting the Castle Community Trust to hear about the benefits of the project for veterans facing social isolation first hand, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Matthew Patrick said:
“Once again Connect Fund support is flowing directly into communities in Northern Ireland and across the UK, delivering positive change by supporting veterans in need, amplifying communities’ voices to ensure they are heard, and combatting gender economic inequality.
Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, I was particularly moved to meet with the Castle Community Trust, and to hear about the positive impact the project is making to curb social isolation amongst veterans who have done so much for us.
A dozen community organisations are now working with partners across the UK, learning from their shared opportunities and challenges and finding ways forward while strengthening East-West connections”.
Chief Executive Officer of Castle Community Trust Jim Crothers said:
“We are delighted that the Castle Community Trust has secured funding from the Connect Fund. This will support our veterans’ group (Old Comrades Group) to undertake a process of engagement and development with their counterparts in Great Britain.
We believe this project will enable participants to come together to share experiences, develop positive relationships, and promote understanding of their service in Northern Ireland”.
Also benefiting in this round is Newtownabbey-based JoinHER Network CIC. The group will support emerging leaders from African, Caribbean, and other minority backgrounds through a fellowship delivered in partnership with ACSONI, Action for Race Equality, and the National Black Police Association. Activities will connect participants from Belfast, London, Chelmsford and St Austell, with plans for a civic and cultural dialogue series and the creation of a “Digital Bridge Platform” to share resources and learning nationwide.
The Northern Ireland Women’s Budget Group is the third successful applicant. It will convene a Four Nations Summit bringing together Women’s Budget Groups from across the UK to develop a shared strategy aimed at advancing gender economic equality.
The Connect Fund, established to strengthen east-west collaboration and support community-led solutions, now counts a dozen funded organisations working across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.