Posted on Tue, 10 Oct 23

MYTIME Young Carers was established in 2013 with the goal of providing young carers with much-needed breaks from their caring responsibilities. MYTIME Young Carers have the mission to level the playing field for young carers and young adult carers everywhere by providing support, opportunities and friendship that every child and young person needs and deserves.

MYTIME Young Carers received a grant from the Hays Travel Foundation to fund a Memory Making Activity Day. The activity day was very successful and brought young carers together which allowed them to feel a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation as well as allowing important support networks to be built. These young carers often lack any real sense of identity which can further impact their confidence, mental health, and futures so by trying new things, young carers can develop their self-worth.

MYTIME Young Carers reported that 100% enjoyed taking part, 95% had their mood improved, 94% felt less stressed and 100% felt as though they were part of a community. One participant stated that “I enjoyed when me and my friends brother got to know each other and went down the ramp together, I have made a new friend who I am staying in contact with.”

Posted on Tue, 10 Oct 23

Omagh Futsal Association aims to promote community participation in healthy recreation by providing high quality, affordable activities that improve health and that in the interests of social welfare. Omagh Futsal Association provides a range of projects which target marginalised or disadvantaged groups.

Omagh Futsal Association received a grant from the Hays Travel Foundation which has allowed them to deliver programmes such as Social Futsal, Girls Only Futsal, Teenage Futsal and Disability Futsal. These programmes are delivered to people in the local area, and several people who have joined the programme have later gone on to become volunteer coaches and referees at Omagh Futsal Association.

One local school said the following about the project, “The pupils loved the programme and keep asking when it will start again. As a school we will be delighted to participate in future programme, as it was very well delivered with fantastic outcomes.”

Posted on Tue, 10 Oct 23

Scotswood Garden was set up in 1995 to bring nature into the heart of Scotswood. The charity has the mission to inspire and promote the learning of nature, the environment and sustainable living, whilst having a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. The work of Scotswood Garden is designed to tackle the impact of poverty by using nature to improve health, confidence, skills and qualifications as well as providing opportunities to create connections.

Scotswood Garden received a grant from the Hays Travel Foundation to fund their Wildlife Superheroes Project. The Wildlife Superheroes project allows local school children to learn about, connect and care for nature. The project allows children to learn about why bees are important for food security and pollination and got involved in activities such as planting pollinator friendly plants, making bee baths and making a bug hotel, as well as the opportunity to meet a resident beekeeper.

100% of teachers of the pupils who have participated strongly agreed that the children enjoyed their visits, and 100% also agreed that the children learnt something new about nature.