The support scheme, run as part of Niamh’s Beacon Members Initiative which is funded with nearly £1 million from the Big Lottery Fund’s Live and Learn programme, gives people with mental health needs the opportunity to take part in courses to improve their education, life skills and confidence.

The scheme, which is run in partnership with South West College, has proved a huge success to date, and members were awarded certificates during the event to celebrate their involvement in a range of activities and classes.

A range of courses have been run at South West College over the last year to increase the therapeutic, educational and recreational learning opportunities for people who are disadvantaged because of the current state of their mental health.  

Courses successfully completed by Beacon members have ranged from Accredited courses, Personal Development courses, through to a variety of recreational and complementary therapy courses.  

Commenting on the successful partnership working of everyone involved in the project, Liam Quigley, Niamh Director of Beacon, said: “This Lottery funded project has enabled the development of a partnership approach to provide a range of innovative and tailored courses for people with mental health needs.  

“Those who have engaged in the project have developed new and essential skills, and as a result, are reporting improved physical and psychological wellbeing, as well as increased self-confidence and self-esteem. “ 

He continued: “The project is helping to promote social inclusion as individuals are supported in their recovery journey and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”  

Director of South West College, Malachy McAleer expressed the delight of the College to work alongside Niamh “South West College is delighted to be involved in the Live and Learn project to provide quality learning opportunities for Beacon members.  South West College fully recognises its role to provide for the socially excluded and acknowledges the immense value that these opportunities provide.  The College appreciates the partnership approach which is such a significant aspect of this project”.

Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund NI Director, said: “The grants awarded from the Live and Learn programme mark a major investment by the Big Lottery Fund into creating partnerships to run innovative projects to boost the learning and health of people in Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities. 

NIAMH’s Beacon Day Support Scheme, run as part of the Beacon Members’ Initiative project which supported by the Big Lottery Fund,  is providing opportunities for people with mental health needs to learn together and improve their health and well-being.

The Live & Learn project has been funded for five years by the Big Lottery and is currently delivered in 14 Beacon Day Support schemes across Northern Ireland including schemes located in Armagh, Ballymena, Castlederg, Cookstown, Enniskillen, L’Derry, Lisnaskea, Magherafelt, Newtownards, Omagh.  Approximately 1000 people directly benefit from the Live & Learn project.   

The Live & Learn project is delivered by a partnership of organisations working with Niamh including South West College, Belfast Metropolitan College, Open College Network and Citizens Advice.