THE FERMANAGH TRUST

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Healthcare, equality, poverty, peace. Those were the four key themes brought forward at the end of the G8 Youth Summit at the Lough Erne Resort, organised by the Fermanagh Trust. Over two days they worked together as a collective body of over 100 young people and in smaller groups to consider their past experiences, the issues currently affecting them and other young people across the world and finally how their view their future and how this may be obtained.

Fermanagh’s schools have led the way on the development of Shared Education policy in Northern Ireland. This was acknowledged at the launch of the Ministerial Advisory Groups report on Shared Education in Belfast on Monday. The Groups visit to Fermanagh had significant impact on their work and was of tremendous value in informing their recommendations in relation to future education policy.

Education Minister John O’Dowd acknowledged the good work taking place on Shared Education in Fermanagh and he outlined to Fermanagh primary school principals how he plans to progress Shared Education in the future. The comments were made during a meeting with primary school principals last Wednesday, which was facilitated by the Fermanagh Trust.

Birmingham city was the location where friendships with long time friends of the community sector in rural Fermanagh were rekindled . and where the Cadbury funds celebrated the history of its philanthropic trust fund ,the Barrow Cadbury trust. Two representatives of the Fermanagh Trust , Lauri Mc Cusker , Director and its founding trustee Jim Ledwith which the Cadburys family foundation help to establish in 1995 made the trip over for the launch in Birmingham’s Townhall.

The Fermanagh Recreational Trust this year awarded 7 grants. The fund, administered by the Fermanagh Trust, awarded 3 individual bursaries and 4 bursaries to sports organisations. The Trust supports the organisation, development and funding of recreational activities and facilities in County Fermanagh with particular emphasis on young people and youth development. Classical singer Andrew Irwin, rower Holly Nixon and swimmer Alannah Leonard all received help towards training, equipment costs etc which will help their future career.

13 local projects have received funding from the Callagheen Wind Farm Fund. These organisations that are benefitting include senior citizens, women’s groups, schools, arts and recreations, pre-school and youth based activities. The Callagheen Wind Farm Fund, supported by Scottish Power Renewables awards grants to community projects located within 7km of Callagheen wind farm, between Belleek and Garrison. The awards are organised by the Fermanagh Trust who administer the funds. Proposals for the fund are accepted from all aspects of community life with an emphasis on proposals that have an environmental theme and/or are linked to sustainable local activities and have a positive impact on the local community.

Local swimmer Alannah Leonard received a special boost when she was awarded the Greg Turley Bursary to support her in the development of her swimming career. Alannah’s achievements in the last year include gold and silver medals at the Irish Age Group and Ulster Youth Championships in the 200m and 100m backstroke respectively. Alannah now holds the Ulster record (15 year old Girls) in the 200m backstroke. She also won three gold medals and one bronze at the Ulster Youth finals. These fantastic achievements were recognised this year when Alannah won ‘Young Sports Personality of the Year’ at the Impartial Reporter’s Celebration of Sports Awards.

Fermanagh House Staff were all loved up on Valentines day... in aid of Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary.

Invitation to a Lunchtime Seminar for Employers. Opportunities for engaging those out of work including young graduates AND supporting our Enterprises. 1pm – 2pm Friday 15th February 2013. Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow Place, Enniskillen. Guest Speakers will include representatives from: Department of Employment & Learning & Graduate Advancement Programme (Business in the Community.

The 28th January 2013 was a significant day for Fermanagh House, based in Enniskillen, when it welcomed its 250,000 visitor to the community resource which opened 5 years ago. Fermanagh House is a home to 9 charities and also hosts over 50 groups and organisations from across Fermanagh and the wide region.

The Ministerial Advisory Group on the Advancement of Shared Education in Northern Ireland under the Chairmanship of Professor Paul Connolly visited County Fermanagh to hear from principals, teachers, boards of governors and representatives from Fermanagh District Council and The Fermanagh Trust to hear about the shared education work taking place in school communities across County Fermanagh.

A major Conference on Shared Education organised by the Fermanagh Trust in partnership with Queens University of Belfast and the North Eastern Education and Library Board’s Primary Integrating/Enriching Education (PIEE) Project resulted in a very strong endorsement from the Minister for Education John O’Dowd.

A major research report on the work of Social Enterprises in County Fermanagh has been launched by the Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen. The launch highlighted the range and extent of activities taking place in County Fermanagh and highlighted both the social and economic contribution social enterprises make to life in the County.

Me Unlimited, the community interest company, based in Fermanagh were “ecstatic” after receiving the Fermanagh Herald Social Enterprise Award supported and sponsored by The Fermanagh Trust. Entrants to this award were asked to prove they make an outstanding contribution to their local community in terms of social, economic or environmental improvements. The winner also received a £1,000 grant from award sponsor, The Fermanagh Trust.

In North West Fermanagh, Belleek Controlled Primary School & St John the Baptist Primary Schools have put forward a joint proposal to the Area Planning Process stating they are willing to explore a shared model in the future.

Shared Education in Fermanagh supporting children's education and their ethos & identity.

The Fisher Foundation held a special award presentation event in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen presenting grant awards of £15,000 to 13 organisations involving 40 local people who are carrying out voluntary work overseas this year.

Following the publication of the Maximising Community Outcomes from Wind Energy Developments’ in January 2012 the Fermanagh Trust has had a number of very encouraging meetings with a wide range of organisations & agencies.

The Fermanagh Trust is delighted to once again make available the grant finder database free of charge to community and voluntary groups. The database is a very useful tool for finding out information on available funding opportunities. For further information visit www.fermanagh.info and click on the Grant finder logo on the home page. Alternatively, contact Marilyn Quinn at Fermanagh Trust on 028 66 320210 or by email: marilyn@fermanaghtrust.org