Financial boost for Derry-based North West Migrants Forum

The Derry-based North West Migrants Forum is among 20 community projects across the island of Ireland that will receive financial support from Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Community Fund in 2023.   

The community group, based in Strand Road, will receive funding of £13,000 to help asylum seekers, refugees and migrant families in the North West and ensure individuals and families have the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to have the best start at life in the area.  

The fund is one strand of the Bank of Ireland Begin Together programme, which was established to support community groups, local enterprise and the arts across the island of Ireland.  The Community Fund specifically aims to support initiatives that promote community enterprise and innovation and improve financial and mental wellbeing.   

The grants, delivered in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ireland, will be larger and distributed to a smaller number of groups, with the intention of providing substantial supports that will drive real impact. Each initiative will receive between £13,000 and £39,000 for projects spanning financial literacy and wellbeing, mental health, inclusion and diversity.

Lilian Seenoi Barr, Director of Programmes, North West Migrants Forum said: “We are thrilled to have Bank of Ireland’s support for our ‘Working Together for Better Health, Better Care and Stronger Communities' project. The funding propels our mutual commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive community. 

“Our project's focus on addressing mental health needs and enhancing financial literacy is a significant step towards promoting awareness of rights and services available for minoritised individuals in the north west region.

"For these communities, accessing mainstream support often comes with unique challenges, particularly when they have no recourse to public funds.

"With this grant, the North West Migrants Forum is determined to empower individuals by providing them with the knowledge and support to access to the services they may need."

PICTURED ABOVE: North West Migrants Forum Community Liaison Officer Aynaz Zarif with Director of Programmes Lilian Seenoi Barr, Bank of Ireland Culmore Road Branch Manager, Eighrean Horner and North West Migrants Forum Policy and Strategy Planning Advisor Dominic Nartey.