Bolster Community receives Bank of Ireland funding to support seniors with cost of living

Bank of Ireland UK has announced the names of ten local groups that will benefit from its Cost of Living Fund, Bolster Community being one of the recipients.  

Thanks to this funding, administrated by the Community Foundation for NI, later this year Bolster Community will commence their ‘Seniors Well and Thriving Programme’ across Newry, Mourne & Down. The project will provide weekly drop-in sessions for older people to access support, information and refreshments, providing a warm, safe space to talk. Support to help with increased costs of living is also available.  

Jacinta Linden, CEO of Bolster Community commented “Sincere thanks to Bank of Ireland funding which has made the Seniors Well and Thriving Programme across Newry, Mourne & Down possible. We are deeply concerned about how the rising cost of living is affecting older people and those on low and modest incomes. Many older people rely on State Pension as their main source of income and do not have the flexibility in their finances to cope with the price rises of everyday items. Many older people are feeling totally overwhelmed. We want to provide a safe, warm space where older people can get support and reassurance.” 

George Higginson, Director of Northern Ireland, Mortgages & Partnerships, Bank of Ireland UK, commented: “The rising cost of living remains a significant challenge for many people today. This donation aims to help those most at risk. We are grateful to the Community Foundation Northern Ireland for their support in ensuring that it reaches communities across Northern Ireland that are most in need.” 

Róisín Wood, CEO, The Community Foundation Northern Ireland said: “The ten groups that have been funded are working to address a wide range of pressing issues that have arisen as a result of the cost of living crisis. This funding will make a real difference to those that these groups work with, boosting the community and voluntary sector‘s ability to provide critical support throughout society at this time.”