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01/06/2023

The Joan Christie Legacy Bursary Scheme Reopens for 2023

The Joan Christie Legacy Bursary Scheme which offers gifted young musicians, volunteers and special schools the exciting opportunity to apply for a £1,000 bursary, reopens for another year.  The Scheme was created in 2019 by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in recognition of the significant work carried out by the late Mrs Joan Christie CVO OBE, former Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim. Two awards are available under each of the following three categories; Music, Volunteering and Special Schools.

Talented young musicians who live within the Borough are welcome to apply for the Music Bursary Award. Council will award £1000 to each of the two successful applicants who can play a musical instrument or sing to a high standard.

Young volunteers who play an active role in a volunteering group within the Borough are invited to apply for the Volunteering Bursary Award. Council will award two bursaries of £1,000 to two successful applicants and the organisations with whom the volunteer works will also receive an award of £1,000.

All candidates for the Music and Volunteering Bursary Awards must live within the Borough, be under 21 years of age on 31 August 2023 and must have not previously received a bursary from the Council for any reason.

Finally, the Council will award a Special Schools Bursary Award of £1000 to two special schools within the Borough for the delivery of horticultural projects with the primary purpose to engage and inspire pupils. The successful submission will involve projects raising involvement in working with plants or garden and horticultural materials and features. Schools who apply must be recognised by the Education Authority.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper BEM commented, “The Joan Christie Legacy Bursary Scheme recognises the late Lord Lieutenant’s belief that young people are the future of our Borough and as such it is important that we nurture their interests and talents. Mrs Joan Christie CVO OBE greatly enjoyed personally awarding the bursaries to talented musicians, committed youth volunteers and schools delivering special education. It is my hope that this Bursary Scheme will act as a fitting legacy for everything she represented.”

For more information or to apply for the Music Bursary, Volunteering Bursary or Special Schools Bursary Awards, visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/Joan-Christie-Legacy-Bursary-Scheme

Applications close on 31 August 2023.