With our Sustainable Community Buildings programme now open for applications to support Mid Ulster groups to think about their carbon footprint, we’ve been looking at those already on that journey. 

TABBDA (Traad, Ballyronan and Ballinderry Development Association) is based at Lough Shore Marina Centre in Ballyronan. Thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, they run wellbeing and training activities to support the local community. They also consider the impact on the climate of all they do. 

Thomas McElhone, who is the Project Leader said: “I’ve been volunteering with the group for 20 years and over that time I have seen the needs of the community change a lot, as well as the need to support our area. 

Our aim is to get as many people as possible outdoors

“Our aim is to get as many people as possible outdoors enjoying their surroundings and learning about the environment. This includes guided outdoor walks, courses in building bat boxes and bird houses, basket weaving classes, pottery and forestry. It all makes a difference.

“We were delighted to get solar panels installed in 2021, thanks to a National Lottery grant, and since then we have saved nearly £5,000 on energy costs. 

The money we saved on electricity bills has been put back into the group

“The money we saved on electricity bills has been put back into the group to run more activities for the local community and increase the number of people we work with. This was always our plan at TABBDA, we did not intend to sell energy back to the grid, just simply become more self-sustainable.”

The group is a hive of activity, providing vital support to families in this rural area, by helping people make connections, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. 

Our building is a beacon for the whole community

Reflecting on what it means to the local area, Thomas continued: “Our building is a beacon for the whole community and also acts as a catalyst to encourage others to take action on climate change. 35,000 cars drive past every year and this means families see the panels when they pass or when they come to the building or shore. The solar panels act as a conversation starter and help to promote and encourage green energy for all.

“I would encourage other groups to look at what is available in Sustainable Community Buildings. It isn’t hard, you just have to think about things differently. We are all responsible for making the planet better for future generations, and who doesn’t need to save money at the minute.

Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund for thinking outside the box

“Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund for thinking outside the box to support us with trying new things.”

Sustainable Community Buildings is now open for applications until 20 March 2024 for organisations with community buildings in: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Mid Ulster District Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council or Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

We’ll be open for applications from 11 September 2024 to 23 October 2024 for:
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council or Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

We’ll be open for applications from 8 January 2025 to 19 February 2025 for:
Belfast City Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

For more information on Sustainable Community Buildings and applying visit: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/sustainable-community-buildings.