One year extension of Small Grant Scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse Victims and Survivors

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have announced the extension, for one year, of the Small Grant Scheme for victims and survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA).

The Small Grant Scheme provides social support, up to £10,000, aimed at assisting those groups who exclusively support HIA victims and survivors.

First Minister Arlene Foster said:

“I am pleased to announce the extension of the Small Grant Scheme for victims and survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse.

“A further one-year extension to the Small Grant Scheme (until March 2022) will allow financial support to remain in place. But, in parallel with this, it creates time and space for work to advance in various areas related to victims and survivors of HIA.

“During this time, there will also be consideration of how best to move forward with the Scheme.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

“It is vitally important that victims and survivors of HIA have support mechanisms in place and I am therefore pleased to announce the extension of the Small Grant Scheme until March 2022.

“These small but significant grants aim to improve lives through interventions which support and enable people. Historical Institutional Abuse has left a legacy of untold physical and emotional damage. The victims and survivors, who have endured so much, remain our focus as we work to move forward.”

The scheme will be implemented by the Historical Institutional Abuse Implementation (HIAI) team in TEO and will be open from 26 May 2021 - www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/articles/historical-institutional-abuse-inquiry

The extension is for one year, during which time TEO will consult the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse and, through her, victims and survivors, on the longer-term way forward.

In December 2020, Ministers also launched a package of dedicated measures to be delivered by the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) - including health and wellbeing, social support and related services for victims and survivors of HIA.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Small Grant Scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse Victims and Survivors is mainly used for social events, COVID-19 restrictions permitting, providing opportunities for HIA victims and survivors to attend training courses; providing assistance / grants to those individuals facing extreme hardship; and addressing isolation and social exclusion by arranging befriending visits.
2. The scheme is open to any HIA victims and survivors group with charitable status.
3. Following the launch by the Victims and Survivors Service, in December 2020 of the HIA Support Service, groups are encouraged to contact VSS in the first instance to seek support.
4. Completed application forms and all required supporting information should be submitted using the following email address: HIAImplementationBranch@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

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