Monkstown Boxing Club strives to deliver innovative youth programmes in a socially and economically deprived area. This project is called 'In Your Corner'. Using sport we aim to improve educational achievement, create pathways to employment, bring communities together, build healthier lifestyles and reduce crime. The ‘Helping Hand Project’ widens our role by supporting vulnerable families access a discrete Food Bank service.

Until a few weeks ago ‘Helping Hand’ targeted vulnerable families. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 we have extended our support to include the most vulnerable, particularly the elderly, from increasing levels of food poverty. Referrals are being provided from Good Morning Newtownabbey, a Monkstown Community Association initiative. The BBC NI News Team recently broadcasted our story.

As we have provided meals and food parcels, we are becoming increasingly aware of financial anxiety and the impact it is placing on the well being of the community. This stress is in relation to the time it takes to process Universal Credit payments. Alongside food poverty, families have fears that delays to Universal Credit will directly impact their ability to pay for essential utilities.

At Monkstown Boxing Club we want to proactively support the most vulnerable people in the community at this desperate time of struggle. Therefore we are aiming to generate a small financial reserve of £1,000 to support families who are referred for financial support. This small resource will be used to make immediate payments for essential household bills.

Monkstown Boxing Club have a long history of financial management adhering to all audit requirements. The Government Funding Database outlines some of the from government grants we have received and for which we have had to vouch payments. This protocol will assure that this resource will be managed with the highest level of probity.