The Education Minister has announced a second call for applications to the £0.5m COVID-19 Residential Outdoor Education Centre Relief Fund.
The fund will provide a further opportunity for centres to access financial support as they continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister said:
“My Department awarded £240k to Outdoor Education Centres for the six month period from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021. Today I am pleased to announce a second call to the Residential Outdoor Education Centre Relief Fund. The scheme is now open to applications for the period 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
“The funding will enable these centres to continue to benefit current and future generations of learners and allow centre staff to support outdoor learning in schools and other formal education settings.”
The COVID-19 Residential Outdoor Education Centre Relief Fund 2021/22 will continue to be administered by the Education Authority’s (EA) Youth Service.
Continuing the Minister said:
"The restrictions imposed on education centres have continued, particularly in relation to the numbers participating in residential visits. I have agreed to a stepped approach to increase the number of children and young people permitted to share overnight accommodation to a maximum of 60 participants from up to three visiting groups from 14 February 2022. Full services will resume from 14 March 2022, subject to public health advice.
“I am confident that the support my Department is providing through this scheme and the easing of restrictions on residential visits, will enable these Centres to continue to offer fun and educational opportunities for children and young people throughout Northern Ireland.”
Further information on the scheme is available on the EA website – https://www.eani.org.uk/news/further-call-for-applications-to-the-covid-19-relief-funding-to-support-outdoor-education
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Education Minister Michelle McIlveen launching the second call for applications to the Residential Outdoor Education Centre Relief Fund at Lorne Outdoor Activity centre with Debbie McDowell, Girl Guide Chief Commissioner, Claire Flowers, Girl Guides CEO and Rhys Lundy, Outdoor Activity Manager on the High Ropes.
- Residential Outdoor Education Centres continue to provide vital educational opportunities for children and young people throughout Northern Ireland, helping them get involved in an outdoor learning experience, developing resilience, risk awareness and independence.
- The fund is open to voluntary youth organisations that have routinely provided curricular relevant, residential outdoor learning opportunities for children and young people aged 4-25 years before April 2020, and that can demonstrate a negative financial impact as a result of a loss of residential activity since the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic.
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