Last year saw communities across the country come together like never before, and Bank of Ireland played a small part by supporting local projects that promote financial, physical, and mental wellbeing.

As part of the Leinster Rugby charity affiliate programme, we will be shining a light on causes within each of the counties of Leinster to benefit from Bank of Ireland support from the 2020 Begin Together Community Fund.

In Kildare, a number of projects received grants including Naas No Name Club, which works with transition year students to promote social confidence without reliance on alcohol and other drugs.

The club plans to run a project of active and accessible mental wellbeing classes combined with participation in physical activity. This will include mental health talks, self-defence, and personal safety, mindfulness to support self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Another grantee in Kildare is Newbridge-based KARE which supports and provides services to young children, schoolchildren, and adults with intellectual disabilities so that they can live the life they want in their own community.

With the support of the Begin Together Fund, KARE will deliver accessible and empowering ‘Purpose for Life Workshops’ to equip the participants with the tools and skills to maintain and take control of their mental health. It is envisaged that the participants will become buddies and mentors to future participants in the workshops.

The third recipient from the county was Setanta Boxing Academy, which will use the Begin Together funding to install a defibrillator which will be available to club users as well as the two adjacent schools in Newbridge.

Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Community Fund will reopen for applications in the spring and works alongside Begin Together Arts Fund, and Begin Together Fund for Colleagues, as part of a multi-year commitment from Bank of Ireland to support communities and local charities.

To find out more information about the Naas No Name Club, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

To find out more information about KARE, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

To find out more information about Setanta Boxing Academy, visit them on Facebook.

Find out more about the ways Bank of Ireland supports communities at bankofireland.com/begintogether.