Project that brings pets to visit patients gets National Lottery boost

A project that brings pets to visit isolated patients is among a raft that have received a welcome boost from National Lottery funding.

Some 115 grants totalling £2 million, including for Pets As Therapy as well as the Horn of Africa People’s Aid, have been awarded from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Some 95% of the new grants are considered smaller sums under £20,000.

Pets As Therapy received a £19,600 grant to expand its service in Northern Ireland, where volunteers and their pets visit people of all ages in care homes, hospices, hospitals and schools.

Matthew Robinson, head of income generation and marketing for Pets As Therapy, said the funding will allow them to expand their service.

“Visits from our volunteers and their wonderful pets improve health and wellbeing and reduce loneliness and isolation, not only for the people they visit, but also for the volunteers themselves,” he said.

“This funding will allow us to recruit and train more volunteers, coordinators, and pet assessors to expand our service to over 100 locations across NI.

“We currently have 85 trained volunteers, but we have 30 on a waiting list which we can now train and coordinate to make regular visits to vulnerable people in the community, including in hospitals and care homes.”

He said some of those who they visit may not receive any other visitors, and so these special visits from friendly pets can be the highlight of their week.

“Pets As Therapy dogs also visit children in schools which helps promote a relaxing and nurturing environment,” he said.

“We know young people can improve their literacy skills and confidence through reading to the dogs.”

The Horn of Africa People’s Aid Northern Ireland (HAPANI), in Belfast is also receiving around £20,000 to upgrade its facilities and run courses for young people to learn digital skills.

Suleiman Abdulahi, founder/managing director of HAPANI, said they will deliver the investment over the next two years.

“A lot of our young people don’t have a computer, printer or Wi-Fi at home, which is needed for homework and accessing online services, so they come to us for support,” he said.

“Thanks to this funding we’ll be able to provide access to this technology which most of us take for granted.

“Our computer suite is very out of date, so we’ll upgrade our equipment and deliver enhanced training courses so young people can gain essential digital skills to help reach their potential.”

Meanwhile, in Londonderry, Repair and Share Foyle have received a £20,000 grant to create a tool and equipment library and deliver repair workshops for the local community.

Other projects to benefit from the latest round of grants also include Diverse Youth NI, Templemore Retirement Group, Dromboughil Community Association, FND Matters NI, Treehouse Creche, Lilac Cancer Support, Happy life Together, LGBTQ+ Women’s Group Newry and Good Morning Ballymena.

Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland director of the National Lottery Community Fund, said she looks forward to seeing the difference the grants will make.

“From improving digital skills for young people, to people sharing resources and equipment to reduce waste, these charities, community organisations and voluntary groups are doing vital work every day to support people in their community,” she said.

“As we approach the 30th birthday of the National Lottery later this year, celebrating these new awards is a great way to thank National Lottery players who raise this money, which is going back into communities, to strengthen them, and improve lives.”

For more information on National Lottery funding visit tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/northern-ireland.