County Down Rural Community Network

Looking for something fun, creative and completely FREE this summer?

Join our Lingo Lab Summer Scheme 2026 – a two-week adventure where young people aged 9–11 can explore language, art and culture through games, crafts and creative activities!

🗓️ Downpatrick Programme: 20 – 31 July, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Down County Museum

🗓️ Newry Programme: 3 – 14 August, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Three Ways Community Centre

What’s included?
🎲 Fun language and word games
🎨 Arts & crafts activities
🤝 Make new friends
🎪 Help design a community festival for October 2026

PLUS:
🎟️ FREE tickets to Belfast Mela
🚍 FREE cross-border trip to Carlingford Adventure Centre

The programme is open to P6/P7 pupils from Irish Medium, Integrated, Controlled, Maintained, Polish and other language schools across the Newry, Mourne and Down area.

⚡ Book your place here: https://tinyurl.com/nttwcbh9

Lingo Lab is delivered under the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Local Action Plan, a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

REMINDER!!

The Rural Micro Capital Grants Scheme NOW OPEN!!

Capital grants between £500 and £2,500 will be available to rural voluntary and community organisations and Social Economy Enterprises to fund projects tackling locally identified issues of poverty and/or social isolation. The Scheme is funded from DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme.

Projects must focus on one of the following themes:
• Energy Efficiency or Environmental Improvements.
• Modernisation (of building(s) or assets)
• Information Communication Technology (ICT)
• Health and Wellbeing

The scheme is being delivered by Rural Support Networks on behalf of DAERA. Applicants to the Scheme will be required to provide a minimum of 15% match-funding.
The Scheme closes for applications 12.00pm midday on Monday 22nd June 2026.

See The Link below for applicants to apply:

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/rural-micro-capital-grants-scheme-rmcgs-202627

Please remember, this is an online application only.

Please Contact your local CDRCN Team member if you need further assistance
Tel: 028 4461 2311
Email: [email protected]

Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) 2026/27 This Scheme, funded under the Department’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme, offers Micro Capital grants of between £500 and £2,500 to rural community-led, voluntary organisations for projects tackling issues of local poverty and / or social isolation.

Ards and North Down Borough Council
Stay Connected, Stay Active programme, see below for more information.

✨ Stay Connected, Stay Active

Are you interested in meeting new people and staying active?
Sign up to our 6-week programme for over 65s – suitable for all levels of mobility.

✅ Fostering inclusion
✅ Building relationships
✅ Encouraging mobility

45 minute light armchair exercise class followed by 1 hour socialising with an information talk on support available in your area. Various dates/locations.

Refreshments will be provided.

👉 Carrowdore Community Centre (2.00-3.30pm)
Monday 15th, 22nd & 29th June and Monday 6th, 20th and 27th July 2026

👉 Donaghadee Community Centre (2.00-3.30pm)
Wednesday 24th June and Wednesday 1st, 8th,15th, 22nd & 29th July 2026

👉 Portaferry Market House (2.00-3.30pm)
Thursday 18th June, Thursday 2nd, 9th & 30th July, and Thursday 6th & 13th August 2026

For further information and to book please contact Community Development Section, Signal Centre, 2 Innotec Drive, Bangor BT19 7PD

Tel: 0300 013 3333 ext 40118 or email: [email protected]

Run by Council's Community Development and Community Halls teams.