M&S Ballymena

We are the first Affordable Food Club to be established in NI based in Ballymena. We support singles/couples/families across MEA by providing nutrious affordable food from donations we receive and purchases we make from local suppliers at a discounted rate. We are members of feeding Britain.org. We use a membership scheme whereby for a small weekly fee clients can purchase food at a greatly reduced cost. (We use a social supermarket model). We were established in Nov 22, we provide affordable food to over 500 clients every week. Our members can avail of 15 items for £5 per week, including fresh meatvege, tables and fruit. We offer an additional 5 free items for each member which can be selected from donated food from local supermarkets including Marks & Spencer, which have a short expiry or best before date.

Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne & Newtownabbey (ABCLN) is dedicated to providing refuge, support, information and training to women and children who are suffering abuse within the home. 1 in 4 women will suffer domestic violence in their lifetime, be it physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial. We provide a Floating Support service in the community across all 5 areas providing crisis intervention to support women affected by Domestic Violence. Over 200 women access the floating support service at any given time. Community resettlement provides developmental work and training for women to build upon self-esteem, helping women to make informed choices for themselves and building upon support networks. We provide education and prevention work to over 5000 children and young people. Young people are often the hidden victims of domestic violence and are significantly at risk of school dropout, exclusion and risk taking behaviours.

The prevention or relief of poverty,the advancement of education,the advancement of citizenship or community development,the advancement of amateur sport,the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage