£1.6m funding awarded to support carers

The Department of Health has announced the allocation of more than £1.6million in the fourth and final round of grants from the Support for Carers Fund.

Following assessment, 35 organisations and charities providing vital support for carers across Northern Ireland are receiving £1,607,884 to help with a range of projects which will directly support individual carers in the community.

Grant recipients are working with adult and young carers and the activities being supported include mindfulness, wellbeing and emotional support, respite, support for social connection and digital inclusion.

The £4m Support for Carers Fund was launched by the former Health Minister in April 2021 to help community and voluntary sector organisations with charitable purposes offering support to carers. In total, 100 projects have received awards from the Fund.

Peter May, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, said: “Unpaid carers have a very challenging role and I have huge admiration for all they do in often difficult circumstances. The Health and Social Care system depends heavily on their selfless dedication to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

The Support for Carers Fund was established in 2021 with funding made available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A very wide range of valuable projects have received awards from the Fund and this has been important in helping to make a real and practical difference to peoples’ lives.”

The Fund is administered and managed by the Community Foundation NI on behalf of the Department and is now fully expended. It aims to provide grant funding to organisations with charitable status that can deliver outcomes to improve the lives and experiences of carers.

Róisín Wood, Chief Executive at the Community Foundation, said:

“Carers play a crucial role in society, yet their contributions often go unnoticed despite being invaluable. Carers come from a range of backgrounds, including children, young people, and individuals who care for parents, partners, or friends of all ages. These carers face unique challenges and must juggle their caring responsibilities with school, work and other personal commitments.

“The Community Foundation takes pride in collaborating with the Department of Health to oversee the Support for Carers Fund which enables groups to extend muchneeded support to these exceptional carers who make a substantial impact on society.”

Nigel Smith Dentistry has been shortlisted for the prestigious Irish Dentistry Awards 2023!

The Irish Dentistry Awards are now in their 11th year, and are well known in Ireland for celebrating the hard work and achievements of dental professionals across the nation.

The Irish Dentistry Awards are judged by a team of dental leaders and industry experts, which means they are unmatched in their clinical and technical merit.

The practice has been shortlisted in no fewer than 3 categories including:

Most Improved Practice

This category celebrates those who have seen significant changes or upgrades covering decor, equipment, and or/improved business growth, patient referrals and developed a great team approach!

Best High Technology Practice

This category is designed to recognise practices embracing the latest digital technologies available to improve clinical outcome AND will recognise the practice using digital workflows to provide the highest levels of patient care. Practice of the Year!

This is a regionally judged award, looking to reward those practices that stand out from the crowd, those who truly care for the patients and are dedicated to providing the best in oral healthcare. This year’s awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 9 September at the beautiful Clontarf Castle in Dublin. The ceremony has fully established itself as a prestigious occasion, recognising and rewarding clinical excellence throughout Ireland! Check out their websites below to see recent smile transformations in your area!

Nigel Smith Dental Care is at 107 Hamilton Road, Bangor BT20 4LN Tel: 028 91270657 www. nigelsmithdental.com

Holywood Dental Care is at 128 High Street,

Amp up the ambience In Your Bedroom

Often underestimated in the overall design plan table lamps have the power to add just the right amount of charm. It illuminates the room, sets the mood right and provides soft task lighting for bedside reading.

How does one lamp change your life you ask?

Get better sleep: Using your phone in the dark is bad for your eyesight, but it is too bright with all the lights on. With a table lamp, you can dim the room to induce a more cosy feel, which allows you to catch more ZZZs.

General Lighting Purpose:

Of course, one must not forget that only adding tube lights or bulbs wouldn’t brighten up the bedroom. So, one must have another option to illuminate the entire portion of the bedroom, and that’s where bulb-fitted lamps come under rescue.

Focus on specific objects:

When engrossed in any work such as study or projects, then the usage of these lamps will not only ensure to provide you with the standard lighting, but it will also throw light on the object of concern such as a book.

Mood: Bright and catchy light always enlightens the spirit of the individual. Colourful lights have a positive influence on the surrounding area. Thus, these everlasting lamps fill this spot in a much efficient manner. Thus, bringing the desired jovial mood altogether.

Night torch: One can say that lamps can act as a night torch as dimming its

KILLEEN HARDWARE celebrates 40 years in business!

This leading Independent Builders’ merchant cites customer service, quality, and choice as the secret of their longevity.

intensity can be useful for those individuals who do not sleep without light. So, one can say that it acts as a night lamp.

As a piece of sculptural art. There are thousands of variations of lights out there for your specific needs, wants and style, so make this a starting point rather than an afterthought to create your dream bedroom!

Today Killeen Hardware is located on an extensive three-acre site which includes a 15,000sqft Hardware Superstore, a Bathroom Showroom, a Stove and Fireside Showroom, a Door Centre, Flooring & Tile showroom a Garden Machinery Showroom and Repair Centre, as well as workwear and agricultural products. The impressive site is packed full of all the building materials required for minor repairs, renovations and refurbishments through to a complete new build project. These include all your first fix products from the ground works to the roof, as well as second fix products, such as doors, flooring, bathrooms, tiles, and much more

The Stove and Fireside Showroom also includes energy-efficient boilers, fireplaces and cladding.

Killeen Hardware has refurbished their main shop floor so things look very different from just last year.

There is a team of over 35 staff meeting the needs of building contractors who range from the white van builder working on retrofit and repair products through to major developers.

Self-builders, DIY enthusiasts and the general public. Everyone is welcome!!

With a new website, a strong presence on social media and on trend products in stock, Killeen Hardware are always willing to invest and move forward as technology and market demands change.

‘We strive to ensure we can help you with whatever you need’ said David Hughes Company Director ‘We have an experienced team of staff, many who have worked in the business for several years.’

When you walk into Killeen Hardware you can feel the welcoming family atmosphere within the family-run company. The staff are friendly and helpful and you are likely to see David or Stephen Hughes working in the offices, shop floor or yard.

Killeen Hardware, 1 Killycopple Road, Armagh, BT60 2AG. T: 028 3752 2317 www. killeenhardware.co.uk

Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 8am - 5.30pm. Saturday - 8.30am - 1pm.