Armstrong disappointed by closure of emergency fund for artists

Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has expressed her disappointment after an emergency fund for artists has closed only a few days after opening. The Arts Council’s Artists’ Emergency Fund was designed to help support ‘individual artists, creative practitioners and performers,’ however, it has now been closed a week after opening. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong […]

Charity sector needs financial help to ensure it survives pandemic, says Armstrong

The charity sector needs financial help to ensure it survives the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. Ms Armstrong said opening up grant schemes to include charities and social enterprises would be a major step towards making sure they can continue delivering services after the COVID-19 crisis. “The community and voluntary […]

Armstrong welcomes boost to charity sector

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, Deputy Chair of the Communities Committee has welcomed plans to give the charity sector a financial boost as the coronavirus pandemic continues to bring financial pressures across all aspects of life in Northern Ireland. The Alliance Party’s Communities spokesperson, Kellie was speaking after the latest Ministerial update in the Assembly – […]

Armstrong welcomes suspension of debt collection but repayment clarification needed

Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said while she welcomes the Department for Communities suspending debt collection for three months, the Minister needs to clarify repayment terms for those in arrears. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said her Department would pause the recovery of benefit overpayments and loan repayments from a number of social security […]

Armstrong: Implementation must follow science as roadmap for lockdown exit revealed

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has welcomed the publication of a route out of lockdown for Northern Ireland, saying the document finally provides hope of what the future might look like here. The MLA for Strangford secured confirmation from the First and deputy First Minister that the science would continue to shape how and when the […]

Armstrong questions when community and voluntary sector fund will be made available

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has questioned when a multi-million pound fund designed to support the community and voluntary sector will be made to available to organisations to help them through the pandemic. The Department of Finance’s Dormant Accounts Fund takes money from dormant bank and building societies to support capacity and sustainability in the third […]

Armstrong welcomes plan for priority shopping slots to go to those shielding

Alliance Communities spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has welcomed a way forward for those with shielding letters from their GP to be able to access priority online shopping delivery slots. The Access to Food programme has been organised by the Departments for Communities and Health, with the Health and Social Care Boards, allowing those with shielding […]