COVID19: Community Engagement - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

We are pleased to support community groups and local organisations in their positive response to the Covid-19 pandemic, giving help to those most vulnerable and in need.

Individuals and families
We have collated a list of community support services in the Local Support Directory below. The table lists organisations in the area who can assist individuals and families right now. Search for specific help such as ‘food’, or search by location to view community groups offering support near you. Alternatively, browse the table to find a match that best suits your needs. If you can’t find what you need, have a look at the Community Information Signposting section below for useful links to other community services and advice.

Community organisations and charities
We are trying to assess the requirements of existing community organisations and charities so that we can support the important work being done as part of the Covid-19 response. The information you provide is vital to ensure that regional and central government have a clear understanding of the needs of the grass-roots organisations carrying out this important work in our area. To add your community organisation’s details to the Local Support Directory, or if you’d like help or advice for your community group click here.

Local Support Directory

Who can help	General Location	Service Provided	Contact Details
Women's Aid Armagh Down	Armagh, Down	Safe refuge accommodation and community based support to women, children and young people. Examples of Support includes: 1-1, emotional support, information and guidance, Advocacy, Risk assessment and Risk Management, Safety and Protection planning.	Helen Cranney // // www.womensaidarmaghdown.org
Voice of Recovery	Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon	1. Dedicated helpline to those in recovery from addiction 2. Counselling including bereavement 3. Emotional and mental health support via phone and Microsoft Teams 4. Volunteers for practical support	Sheila Smyth //
Vibe NI	Armagh City	Phone calls, grocery and perscription collection Plus emergency food supplies	Ian Liggett // 07515571385 // // www.vibeni.com
Via Wings	Dromore	Food parcels for people in need Pastoral support/ phonecalls Kids activity packs Support for people with mental health issues	Gail Redmond // 07833625469 or 07946783279 // or // www.viawings.co.uk // facebook.com/ViaWingsDromore/
The Storehouse - Banbridge Community Foodbank	Banbridge	We are allowing clients to self-refer to the Foodbank and we are offering an initial 3 food parcels to support those who have lost their jobs or who are having to self-isolate. We are arranging for parcels to be dropped off if needed or picked up from the Foodbank. We are also trying to provide support with nappies for young families.	facebook.com/StorehouseBanbridgeFoodbank/
Tannaghmore Ladies Club	Tannaghmore, Craigavon	Food parcels for the elderly	// facebook.com/goodnightscraic/
Tandragee Royal British Legion	Tandragee	Our branch of the RBL is collecting dry goods and cleaning products for delivery to the local vulnerable and elderly residents. We have donations from the branch funds and individual members of cash and items. A small team is coordinating the collection and another team will be delivering.	Joe Gibson // 007751266367 //
St. Mary's GAC Aghagallon	Aghagallon	Help with deliveries - groceries, prescriptions, coal & gas in the Aghagallon area	Columb Walsh // 07803628408 // facebook.com/stmarysaghagallon
St Paul's GFC Lurgan	Lurgan	We have a group of over 50 volunteers, delivering food packs to a list of houses that are self isolating or facing hardship. We have also been collecting prescriptions and walking dogs.	Daire O'Dubhthaigh // 07825518527 // // facebook.com/stpaulsgfclurgan/
St Michael's Magheralin	Magheralin	St Michael’s GAC Magheralin have come together with Magheralin Village FC, Ballymacmaine Community Group, Magheralin Community Association, Kilwarlin Residents and St Michael’s Youth Club to support the Magheralin and Kilwarlin Areaas. We have over 60 volunteers and have divided the volunteers into different areas and housing developments. We have started a small foodbank and have offer local people LC befriending services over the phone and trips to the shop and pharmacy	facebook.com/stmichaelsgac/
Richmount Rural Community Association	Richmount, Portadown	Our Primary Service would be for older people within a 5 Mile Radius of Scotch Street, BT62 1QU. Telephone call service to older people to make social contact, establish if they are OK, establish if any needs, signpost to other services. Generally try to reduce the feeling of social isolation. Print and deliver leaflets in the area all ages; Deliver food to older people at door steps; Facilitate online shopping ordering where older person cannot access this service. (Done over phone); We also have the potential to cook and deliver meals to older people; We have some 15 "younger volunteers" for on the ground work and several older people for telephone assistance. Scotch Street Youth Club has offered to assist us with volunteers. We are receiving a small amount of money from CFNI to help cover volunteer costs	Joe Garvey // 07934186635 // // richmountruralcommunityassoc.btck.co.uk/ // facebook.com/groups/359392197497621/
Regenerate NI	Portadown	Regenerate are building a data base of volunteers. Mainly telephone based to contact community members and signpost to help available in their area	// facebook.com/Regenerate-835237673219313/ // regenerateni.com
Rathfriland Young Farmers Club	Rathfriland	Help for the elderly & those who are vulnerable by grocery shopping, lifting prescriptions etc	Rathfriland Young Farmers Club // 07786811591 / 07713814465 / 07871039833 // // facebook.com/rathfrilandyoung.farmers/
Queen Street Residents Association	Lurgan	We will give help to anyone that needs it under the circumstances	Norman Wilkinson // 07900178682 // //
Portadown Cares	Portadown	Collection and delivery of foods and medicines	David Taylor // 07787364226 // // facebook.com/PortadownCaresx/
Portadown BBOB FC	Portadown	To make essential hampers for elderly and vulnerable people within the area	Robert Love // 07967313105 // // facebook.com/pbbobfc/ //
Mourneview & Grey Community Association inc hospital estate	Mourneview & Grey Estate	We are sign posting people to the right channels as there is a lot of others doing deliveries and such.We are also working with regenerate on a phone service tackling mental health and social isolation.This service will continue after this virus all being well.	https://www.facebook.com/pg/Mourneview-and-Grey-Estate-Community-Assoc-inc-Hospital-Estate-525568434149278/about/?ref=page_internal
Lurgan Rugby Club	Lurgan	Food Aid Packages; A call service for the lonely and isolated; Dog walking; Getting messages; Getting medical prescriptions; Providing a visible presence on the ground and within the community	Raymond Acheson // 07565 096275 // // facebook.com/PollockParkSport
Lurgan Area Community Aid	Lurgan	Lurgan Area Community Aid is a myriad of local sporting organisations and schools which have come together to provide support to the entire lurgan area in a time of crisis. It is cross-community and providing a service to both north and south Lurgan. Emergency well-being packs, food parcels, prescription collection and dog walking services are all being delivered by a large number of volunteers.	Carol McCafferty
Loughshore Care Partnership	South Lough Neagh	Loughshore Care Partnership plan to support the elderly and vulnerable within the sough Lough Neagh area by providing a coordinated volunteer service to help with picking up shopping, posting mail, delivering urgent supplies, cooking and delivering meals or if we had the resources will also making a phone friendly call.	Mary McAlinden // 02838340540 //
Links Counselling	Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon	Telephone, video and instant messaging counselling for young people, adults and families.	Laura Wylie // 02838342825 // // linkscounselling.com // facebook.com/linkscounselling // Insta: @linkscounselling // Twitter: @linkscounsel
Laurencetown, Lenaderg & Tullylish Community Association (lltca)	Laurencetown, Lenaderg, Tullylish, Banbridge	Daily phonecalls to any person who is self isolating (especially but not exclusively the elderly and those who live alone) Service to buy and deliver household items - food etc Prescription collections service Postal service	Claire Patience // 028 4062 3770 // // lltca.com // facebook.com/LaurencetownLTCA/
Kinallen Rural Community Development Association	Kinallen, Dromore, Dromara	Food parcels, phone calls, skype, Facebook FaceTime. Prescription collection.	Andrew // 02897533352 // // facebook.com/KRCDA/
Home Start Craigavon	Craigavon	Volunteer home-visiting befrienders to families with young children under 5 years of age to offer emotional and practical support has been suspended and replaced by telephone and digital support for current families.	028 38 345 357 // // www.home-start.org.uk
Grace Generation Church	Banbridge	weekly food parcels targeted to the size and needs of households toiletries; nappies and baby products; baby food; fresh fruit & veg as available; frozen bread
Glenavon FC	Glenavon, Lurgan	In support of the Glenavon community, the Club has launched a Covid-19 Response Initiative to provide long term assistance to those who need it most. This could be those who are ill or self-isolating, or for whatever reason cannot get out to get essential items.	Leigh Livingstone / Adam Topping // 07717295928 / 07763907454 // // glenavonfc.com/2020/03/20/glenavon-covid-19-response-initiative/
Gilford Youth	Gilford	Gilford Youth is planning to work with the most vulnerable young people in Gilford during the Covid-19 crisis. We will aim to provide diversionary activities, mentoring support and social education, particularly around health, as this is especially relevant.	Matthew Crozier // 07740502928 // // facebook.com/gilfordyouth/ // twitter.com/GilfordYouth
Friends of the birches	The Birches	Lifting / delivering essentials like groceries and prescriptions Lifting and delivering other items to those in isolation Arranging and ordering and delivering hot and cold meals from local restaurants/ cafes Donations of donated vegetable packs Food bank of donated fruit and vegetables setup like an honest box but free. A game/ book/ jigsaw/ dvd swop A friendly ear telephone service Weekly competitions to raise morale Coordinated Litter walk to get people on the move and also improve the local area - everyone starts at a different area to minimise congregating “Play along“ Yoga and exercise promotion from your homes We are encouraging everyone into the idea of community and giving what you can when you can whilst taking what you need	Leigh silcock // 07918708890 // // facebook.com/friendsofthebirches/
Edgarstown Residents Association	Edgarstown, Portadown	We will supply hot meals 2 days a week to our elderly vulnerable residents and families who are known to us as impoverished. Also to provide shopping runs and medication collections. Daily phone call.	Phyllis Abraham // 07809481364 // // facebook.com/edgarstownresidentsassociation/
Drumcree Centre	Drumcree, Portadown	Drumcree Community Trust has established a community volunteer scheme for the entire Northwest Portadown area (based at Drumcree Community Centre, 3 Ashgrove Road, Portadown) the aim of which is to provide support to, and maintain contact with, older persons aged 65 and over either living alone or with a partner, and also with those persons with an underlying medical condition who will be most vulnerable from Covid 19. Drumcree Community Trust is currently compiling contact details of all persons living in Northwest Portadown who are within those categories. Drumcree Community Trust is a member organisation of the VERVE Network, a partnership between the Southern Health and Social Services Trust and 10 community & voluntary organisations operating across the Portadown, Lurgan and Craigavon areas.	facebook.com/Drumcree-Centre-844529745662371/
DART Partnership	Down and Armagh rural areas	Logistical & Transport support, at this point we have 7 accessible vehicles with drivers. These vehicles can be used for the delivery of essential items such as food & medicines. We have a virtual office capability with admin staff that can be used as part of any community response.	02838317810 // www.dartpartnership.co.uk // facebook.com/dartpartnership
Covid-19 Community Help - Camlough, Bessbrook and surrounding areas	Camlough, Bessbrook and surrounding areas	A Facebook group of individuals in the local area willing to help those in need. Help is in the form of information and sharing ways to get involved. Hopeing to mobilise support in terms of people offering to go pick up prescriptions and shopping for those isolating, contributing to local food banks and support for DHH.	Gillian Agnew // facebook.com/groups/203529607756722/
Coronavirus - Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Respond	Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon	We are offering people a platform to help one another within our community. We are moderating content and providing informative and relevant content.	Tom McCourt // 07912550863 // // facebook.com/groups/2251256088514686/
Community Help	Rathfriland	We have gathered a number of families and adults who are vulnerable and elderly. We keep in contact with them on the phone. House calls, not visits. Weekly food parcel; small weekly sanitary parcel; weekly information leaflet on the covid situation in our area, as many havent internet or fully understand whats going on	Joy lapsley //
Clonmore Youth Club	Armagh	We are providing online youth services to support rural based young people. We are also offering a befriending service and collection services.	07496331951 // // facebook.com/ClonmoreYC/ // Instagram @ClonmoreYC // clonmoreyc.org
Clann Éireann Health and Wellbeing Programme // Lurgan Area Community Aid // South Shore Wellbeing	Lurgan	We are offering emergency well-being packs, food parcels, pharmacy deliveries, dog walking and telephone befriending services For the elderly and those in the at risk categories. A prayer service is also available through Shalom Church who we are working alongside.	Carol McCafferty // // facebook.com/Clann-Eireann-Health-and-Wellbeing-Programme-104432137690201/ // facebook.com/Lurgan-Area-Community-Aid // facebook.com/southshorewellbeing
Carers Trust NI	Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon	Listening ear over the phone; Texts, email and tel support; Sharing useful info from other organisation and community groups; Sharing info from Helpline services; Taking call and emails from carers and ex-carers	Michelle Moult // 07702819111 // // carers.org/country/carers-trust-northern-ireland
Campervan Hire NI	Banbridge	We have caravans and motorhomes available for NHS staff that may need a place to sleep between shifts. We have a 16 seater minibus suitable to transport people or goods to distribute.	Alison McCreedy // 07861551189 / 07775971096 // //
Brownstown Owners and Tenants Association - BOATA	Portadown	Support to the most in need, Cooked meals delivered, Food parcels were necessary, household supplies, phone calls etc, daily checks. We will make our community centre available to other organisations when necessary.	Gordon Blevins // 07591276907 //
Banbridge RFC	Banbridge	We have a large area at our club with a large commercial kitchen. We also have a huge following over social media	Marc Eadie // 07827338401 // // banbridgerfc.com // facebook/@banbridgerfc // twitter/@banbridgerugby // instagram/@banbridgerfc
Banbridge Community	Banbridge	collection of supplies, telephone support, chat, support with housing/redundancy, advice and signposting to other agencies	Adrian Lyon // 07808060007 // // www.banbridgecommunity.org

Community Information Signposting

Housing

For more information on housing click here

Transport

For more information on transport click here

Benefits

For more information on benefits click here

Coronavirus Community Fund

For more information on the coronavirus community fund click here

Central Government Information

For more Central Government Information click here

Volunteering

For more information on volunteering click here

Advice Services

For more information on advice services click here

Food Banks

For more information on food banks click here

Good Morning Service

For more information on good morning service click here