Utility Fund – Confederation of Community Groups

Hardship / Cost of Living

Background

CCG, as a grass roots community development organisation, sets out to reach and support the disadvantaged, socially excluded, disengaged and those experiencing the highest levels of poverty.

We have been involved in tackling inequality, disadvantage and poverty throughout our 50 years and have been involved with numerous programmes and interventions to address these issues

Community Coordination Hub (CCH)

The CCH was originally established to help coordinate a response to the covid pandemic and was an exemplar of partnership working. The CCH coordinated the Covid Response programmes, highlighted opportunities to address current concerns / emerging need and considered how best to utilise covid 19 funding. Membership included NMDDC, DFC, SHSCT, SEHSCT and representatives from the Com/Vol sector. The Strategic Stakeholder Forum (SSF) appointed CCH representatives were Raymond Jackson (CCG), Nicholas McCrickard (CDRCN) and Rosemarie McDonnell (CANMD).

Current Cost of Living / Hardship Issues:

Following the end of the Covid Recovery stage, and due to the success of this partnership, it was decided to keep the CCH in place to react to “emerging need” such as the current cost of living crisis. Since the pandemic CCG and SSF partners have successfully managed a series of significant hardship and cost of living funding programmes on behalf of the CCH across all 7 District Electoral Areas (DEAs) in Newry, Mourne & Down. All funding was targeted to those “Most in Need” in our community and was coordinated with all our com/vol, statutory and private sector partners to address the 3 priority areas of Food, Finance, and connectivity

A “Trusted partner” scheme has been established for referrals, on the ground delivery, reporting to funders and to avoid duplication. The “Trusted Partners” comprise of members of the SSF and several other com/vol groups and agencies such as Food Banks, St Vincent de Paul etc. whilst statutory partners can make referrals to these partners.

CCG continue to act as com/vol sector representatives on the CCH to help coordinate the response to Hardship and the cost-of-living crisis. We completed the Hardship Funding programme via our “EOI and Trusteed Partner scheme” and we secured an additional £25k funding programme for people struggling to pay utility bills (funded by Newry Credit Union).

We also help coordinate Norbrook Laboratories “We Care at Christmas” programme (including distribution of cooked food, food hampers and toys) over a six-week period up to Christmas and this includes ‘older peoples’ meals hosted at Norbrook headquarters.

2025 Norbrook

we care at Christmas

Over 2,000 food and toy hampers have been distributed in the Newry area over Christmas, as thousands of local people were provided with a free hot meal, all thanks to the efforts of team members at Norbrook. It marks a further expansion of the Newry company’s community initiative which has helped more and more people in the local area each year.

Norbrook’s award-winning WeCare@Christmas campaign saw hundreds of employees at its Newry sites get involved in fundraising and donating food and toys and assembling hampers for local families. Canteen staff also prepared over 1,250 individual hot meals for local people in partnership with the Confederation of Community Groups locally

This is the fourth consecutive year that WeCare@Christmas has been running. It was initially created by Norbrook during the COVID-19 pandemic but has been expanded by the company due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Newry Credit Union

CCG is proud to work in partnership with Newry Credit Union to help support local individuals and families experiencing financial hardship as a result of rising living costs.

Through the Cost of Living & Utility Support Fund, financial assistance has been made available to help eligible households manage essential household expenses, including food and utility bills. The fund aims to provide practical support during difficult times and ensure that those most affected by financial pressures can access help when they need it most.

This partnership reflects CCG’s ongoing commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our local community and reducing the impact of financial hardship. CCG works alongside community partners to identify needs, provide guidance, and connect people with support services.