Elevate hosts successful launch for new Community Mentoring and Grants projects

The Community Development and Health Network are delighted to have hosted a successful launch event in Ballymena for this year’s round of the Elevate Community Mentoring and Grants Programme, provided in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA). 

Representatives from 21 new Elevate projects gathered at All Saints’ Parish Centre where the mentee groups had a chance to meet our Elevate team, Stephanie Houston , Patricia Harte and Eleanor McKenna, and their mentors from Supporting Communities, Women’s TEC, Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership and Arc Healthy Living Centre.  

The event began with a warm welcome from Elevate Project Manager Stephanie, who gave an overview of what the mentees can expect in the months ahead.  

“It is wonderful to see such a diverse range of projects participating in the Community Mentoring & Grants Programme.  The Elevate Team and I look forward to working with you over the coming year.” 

Also during the presentation, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer Health Inequalities/Living Well Heather Hamilton of the PHA congratulated the groups on their success in applying for the Community Mentoring and Grants Programme and spoke of the importance in tackling health inequality at a community level.  

This will be the eighth year of the Community Mentoring and Grants programme. Its key focus is to mentor and support groups in developing their community development practice so they can take action on the social, economic, and health issues that matter most to their community.  

And our launch event is one of many opportunities for the mentee groups to connect, network and learn from one another throughout the nine months of the programme.  

In addition to mentorship and guidance, the groups are also provided with up to £5,000 of funding, which offers practical support in delivering their projects. The projects will use a community development approach and focus on the root causes of health inequalities which involve many social factors outside medical care. 

The Elevate Mentee Groups for 2026-27 are as follows:  

A Safe Space to be Me 

Antrim Community Fridge 

Bardic Educational Arts and Media (BEAM) 

The COSY Club 

Diverse Youth  

Drama for Kids 

Drumgor Detached Youth Work Project 

Dunloy Stronger Together 

Foyle Obon 

Fresh Minds Education 

Happy Women’s Group 

HEReNI 

iAssist 

Impact Training

Informing Choices 

Inspiring Yarns  

Lobular Breast Cancer Support Group 

ME Support Group

Our Social Space 

The Churches Trust  

Yes Laad