Building Communities Resource Centre

03/11/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

BCRC is about much more than the events and workshops you see on our page!

Behind the scenes, we're helping local community groups and organisations turn their ideas into action.

Whether it's guidance with funding applications, support with governance or simply making the right connections, we're here to help.

Are you involved in a local community group that could benefit from some support?

📩 Get in touch to find out how we can help!

📍 2 Riada Avenue, Ballymoney
📞 028 2766 5068
Or email [email protected]

For the community, by the community, with the community.

02/11/2026

Are you aged 70 or over? You could be entitled to 20% off your rates!

At Building Communities Resource Centre (BCRC), we want to make sure our members and the wider community are aware of the financial support available to them.

Lone Pensioner Allowance could reduce your rates bill by 20% if you are aged 70 or over and live alone.

✅ It's NOT means-tested; your income and savings don't affect your eligibility.

✅ You may still qualify if you live with a carer, someone under 18, or someone with a severe mental impairment.

✅ You can apply at any time during the rating year.

Know someone who might benefit? Please share this information with older family members, neighbours and friends. Many people may be eligible without realising it.

📞 For more information, contact Land & Property Services on 0300 200 7801.

🌐 https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/lone-pensioner-allowance

A little information shared could make a real difference to someone's household finances.

01/11/2026

Please remember to use EVERY time you shop online. Over 8,000 retailers will donate to Building Communities Resource Centre for FREE when you use to shop with them, so you can support us no matter what you’re buying! If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s easy and completely FREE. Please sign up and help us raise more at: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/building-communities-resource-centre/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pmc&utm_content=fb-2

01/11/2026

RISE AND THRIVE – Celebrating Confidence, Connection and Growth!

What a wonderful few weeks we've had at BCRC!

Our Rise and Thrive programme, delivered as part of the Women Breaking Barriers initiative, has officially come to an end, and we're delighted to share some of the highlights.

Over four weeks, the women explored confidence, self-belief, creativity, assertiveness and empowerment. There were opportunities to reflect, learn new skills, share experiences and, perhaps most importantly, recognise their own strengths and potential.

And the feedback speaks for itself! ❤️

All participants who completed evaluations reported developing new skills or learning something new.

But it's the words of the women themselves that really capture what Rise and Thrive has meant:

💬 "Made me feel able to speak up."

💬 "The support and care shown by all the staff was amazing!"

💬 "I learned better social skills and felt able to tackle my anxiety a little better."

Sometimes personal growth isn't about making huge changes overnight. It's about finding your voice, recognising your worth, making new connections and having the confidence to take that next step.

A huge thank you to all the women who joined us, shared their experiences and supported one another throughout the programme. You made it what it was!

Special thanks to Hannah and Katherine for facilitating the sessions and to Women Breaking Barriers and the programme partners for supporting this opportunity.

Here's to strong women, new friendships and continuing to rise and thrive!
The Women Breaking Barriers NI Project is funded by

31/10/2026

📢 LOOKING FOR FUNDING OR SUPPORT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY GROUP?

💡 Causeway Area Funding Roadshow – Coleraine

Are you involved in a local community group, voluntary organisation or charity? Looking for funding opportunities, advice or support to help your group grow?

The Causeway Area Funding Roadshow is coming to Coleraine, bringing together information and support to help local groups make the most of the opportunities available.

📅 Thursday 5th November 2026

⏰ 10:30am – 1:00pm

📍 Millburn Community Centre, Linden Avenue, Coleraine, BT52 2AN

Come along and find out more about:

✅ Funding opportunities

✅ Training and development

✅ Digital skills

✅ Community development support

Whether you're just getting started or have been running a group for years, it's a great opportunity to ask questions, make connections and explore what's available locally.

📩 For more information, contact Marie-Louise at Supporting Communities:

📧 [email protected]

📞 07840 849449

Please share with any local groups or organisations who could benefit!

30/10/2026

It was lovely to be part of this year's Good Relations Week celebrations at Coleraine Town Hall, organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Good Relations Team.

Our CEO attended on behalf of Building Communities Resource Centre (BCRC), showcasing the wide range of work we do to bring people together, celebrate diversity and create opportunities for everyone to feel included and connected.

The theme of ‘Include’ really reflects what BCRC is all about. Through our programmes, events and partnerships, we work to break down barriers, challenge prejudice and build stronger relationships across our communities.

A fantastic opportunity to connect with other organisations, share the work being done locally and celebrate the positive impact of good relations in our Borough.

Because everyone deserves to feel they belong.

29/10/2026

🌙 Another Connection Café Infuse Tea Bar, another wonderful evening! 🏮

🌍 Did you know there’s a group on the Causeway Coast dedicated to exchanging skills, where everything is paid for in Waves? If not, check out Coast Community Exchange - NCCE and get in touch with Olivier to find out more! ♻️

🫂 We loved learning from Shafiqa about the culture and traditions of Afghanistan, a country with such rich heritage and fascinating traditions. Thank you for sharing a little piece of your home with us! 🍛

🌕 How can we embrace the darker months? Those of us who listened to Maria Mooney’s talk now have a few ideas! Switch off those bright LED lights, light a candle this evening and give your body a chance to slow down, rest and restore its energy. 😴

🎶 And what better way to unwind than through beautiful music? A special thank you to Maya for filling our evening with the magical sounds of her harp. 🌿

👐 A huge thank you to our wonderful host, Hellen, for guiding us through the evening, and to the amazing team at Infuse for always making us feel at home. You guys are helping us create something truly special – a welcoming space where cultures meet, stories are shared and connections grow. We are forever grateful! 💚

Until the next Connection Café! 🌍

26/10/2026

One small change can make your online accounts much harder to break into.

Have you ever been asked to enter a code sent to your phone after putting in your password?

That's called Two-Step Verification (2SV) or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

It simply means there are two checks instead of one before somebody can get into your account.

For example:

1️⃣ Your password
2️⃣ A code sent to your phone, fingerprint or face recognition

So even if somebody manages to get your password, they still have another security step to get through.

It’s particularly worth switching on for:

📧 Your email
💬 Social media
🛍️ Shopping accounts
☁️ Accounts storing personal information

Not confident changing your settings? Ask a trusted family member or friend to sit with you and help.

Cyber security doesn't have to be complicated. Small steps can make a big difference.



https://www.nicybersecuritycentre.gov.uk/stop-think-fraud?

Stop! Think Fraud Providing you with the knowledge and tool you need to stay ahead of scams.Fraudsters aren't fussy. They will target anyone.Nobody is immune from fraud. The criminals behind it target people online and in their homes, often using social engineering techniques on their victims to ste...

22/10/2026

A Little Notice from BCRC

Just a little heads-up that our office will be closed all day on Friday 23rd October 2026.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and really appreciate your understanding.

We look forward to welcoming you back when we reopen on Monday 26th October.

Thank you, as always, for being part of our BCRC community!

From all of us at BCRC

21/10/2026

Following our recent visit to Glasgow, we were delighted to welcome our partner organisation to Northern Ireland for the next stage of our Community Voices East-West project, supported by the NIO Connect Fund.

This visit provided a valuable opportunity to explore community development through place-based learning, bringing people together to share experiences, learn from one another and discover how communities are responding to local challenges, building connections and creating positive change.

During their time with us, we explored a range of experiences and perspectives, including:

Sessions exploring mediation with TIDES Mediation NI

Meeting with Motivated and Able to explore inclusion and how we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute.

Connecting with Ballybogey Over 55s Group to hear about the role of community groups in bringing people together.

Visiting the Corrymeela Community to learn more about its work in peacebuilding, reconciliation and building understanding. Meeting with the Athrú project and hearing about their work.

Meeting Bushmills & District Community Association, Bushmills Community Garden, a representative from the Orange Lodge and Bushmills Football Academy to hear about the different ways local people contribute to community life.

Spending time at Bushmills Courthouse and exploring the rich history of Ballymoney on a guided tour with a local historian, Keith Beattie

Each conversation offered a different insight into the people, places, relationships and organisations that help communities thrive.

At the heart of this project is the belief that we can learn so much from one another when we take the time to listen, share experiences and understand the places in which people live and work.

A huge thank you to everyone who welcomed us, shared their experiences and contributed to such a valuable visit.