Stephanie Graham, Jill Robinson, Jenny Geddis and Jeanette Rankin celebrate receiving a Power NI Brighter Communities funding award.

Flourish NI, an East Belfast based charity that provides long term support to female and male survivors of human trafficking from all over Northern Ireland, is the latest recipient of Power NI’s Brighter Communities funding programme.

A £1000 grant has helped Flourish create an entire sewing studio bringing women together to meet and talk in a safe space, develop their artistic skills, make new friends and support each other through challenging times.

Established in March 2014 Flourish NI is based on Belfast’s Newtownards Road and reaches out to individuals and their families who have been impacted by human trafficking helping them move on from their past towards a brighter future. 

Jill Robinson, project co-ordinator explains the impact of the Power NI funding:

“Whilst we provide one to one tailored support services for individuals, we also offer group classes and sessions which are equally as important for the people we help.

“Power NI’s Brighter Communities funding has enabled us to set up a bespoke sewing room with classes and refreshments to bring ladies together in an empathetic and creative environment.  Anyone from our client base is invited take part in our sewing classes and develop new craft skills, undertake a different class or simply drop in for a chat.    

“Funding is vital to developing and expanding our services which aim to build confidence, reduce vulnerability and empower individuals to re-integrate into society. Since we started over five years ago, we’ve helped people from over 16 different countries. 

“Our support and services are wide-ranging and in addition to group classes and one to one support, we also help provide housing, source employment and educational opportunities and enable people to access health and legal advice as well as professionals in these fields.”               

Brighter Communities was launched in April 2018 and each month it awards a £1000 grant to a community group or club who are aiming to roll out a creative and impactful project to help improve the community they live in.

To find out more about Brighter Communities, and to make a submission, potential applicants can access information via www.powerni.co.uk/brightercommunities.

Media contact: Rosemary Allister, Jcomms: rosemary.allister@jcomms.co.uk// 028 9076 0066 or mobile 07880 504928.