Uniting Opportunities targets marginalised groups of young people (aged 11-24) who would not normally avail of an opportunity to participate.
The groups are:
- Young & Homeless
- Young Refugees & Asylum Seekers
- Young People in Care
- Young People with a Disability
- Young People with Poor Mental Health
- Young Offenders
As with the core programme, Uniting Opportunities aims promote good relations and reconciliation through sport and creativity by addressing the barriers to community participation that these young people face. Uniting Opportunities funds projects that will achieve all four of the following objectives;
- Young people who experience barriers to participation in their communities will have increased confidence, self-esteem and social skills to get involved
- Young people have the ability to build good relations in their communities by having a greater understanding of other religious, political, ethnic and marginalised communities
- Young people are more actively involved in sport and creativity, and are presented with opportunities to sustain their involvement
- Young People will have developed the appropriate attributes to enable further engagement with the Uniting Communities through sport and creativity programme
Video: Engagement Film
This short video looks at Street Soccer NI, a project funded through Uniting Opportunities. Street Soccer NI uses football to engage young people who are homeless and it provides a range support services to encourage better life choices.
How to apply
Uniting Opportunities is currently closed to applications. For information and future opportunities, you may wish to follow @CommunitiesNI on Twitter.
Funding Awarded
In 2018/19, we have funded six organisations;
| Organisation | Targetted at... | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Street Soccer NI | Young & Homeless | Belfast & Derry~Londonderry |
| Odyssey Trust | Young People in Care | Belfast |
| Groundwork NI | Young People with Disabilities | North, East & West Belfast |
| Churches Trust | Young People with Poor Mental Health | Derry~Londonderry |
| TAMHI | Young People with Poor Mental Health | North Belfast |
| Dun Uladh | Young Offenders | Castlederg & Newtownstewart |
Video: Improving Self-Esteem
This video shows footage and interviews from Groundwork NI and BEAMA, two projects funded through Uniting Opportunities. It captures how these short interventions can radically improve confidence and self-esteem of young people with disabilities and young people with poor mental health.
Further Information
If you would like further information about this programme please contact us by email;