Rural Area Partnership Incorporated

22/05/2026

War & Peace
Earlier this week, as part of our War and Peace project, RAPID welcomed over 200 children from 5 local schools to Brackfield Wood for a really special outdoor learning experience exploring the stories and history of the Great War. 🌿
It was fantastic to see so many young people fully engaging with the experience and enjoying the chance to learn in such a different way outdoors.
Along the woodland trail, pupils met a Soldier from the Somme, Nurse Laura Gailey (the only female featured on the Diamond War Memorial), and a traditional bagpiper, all helping to bring history to life in a way the children could really connect with.
Throughout the trail, pupils also scanned QR codes and answered interactive questions linked to the World War 1, building on the classroom sessions delivered in recent weeks.
The enthusiasm from every school was brilliant to see, with pupils fully embracing all the activities — and the feedback from schools has been excellent.

A big thank you to Richard at Oakfire for allowing us to use the facilities and helping make the event possible.

This project was delivered by RAPID, in partnership with North West Cultural Partnership, as part of the PEACEPLUS programme supported by the Special EU Programmes Body.

18/05/2026

📣 Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2026/2027 NOW OPEN 📣

RAPID is pleased to advise that applications for the Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2026/2027 are now open from Monday 18th May 2026.

⏰ Closing Date:
Monday 22nd June 2026 at 12 noon.

💷 Grants Available:
Micro Capital Grants between £500 and £2,500 are available to rural community-led voluntary organisations for projects tackling:
✔️ Local poverty
✔️ Social isolation
✔️ Energy efficiency measures
✔️ Environmental improvements

Projects must focus on ONE of the following themes:
🔹 Modernisation of buildings/assets
🔹 Information Communication Technology (ICT)
🔹 Health & Wellbeing
🔹 Energy Efficiency / Environmental Improvement

📌 Important Information:
• Grant aid available from 50% up to 85% of eligible project costs
• Total project costs must not exceed £5,000
• Minimum 15% match funding required as a cash contribution
• Labour or in-kind contributions will not be accepted

🖥 Applications can ONLY be submitted online via:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/rural-micro-capital-grants-scheme-rmcgs-202627

Email [email protected] for advice and support

18/05/2026

🏃‍♂️🧘‍♀️ FREE Exercise Classes Starting This Thursday! 🥊

RAPID, in partnership with Parkinson's UK, are delighted to offer a variety of FREE exercise classes starting Thursday 21st May at 7.30pm in The Diamond Centre, 30 Barnailt Road, Claudy, BT47 4EA.

📅 Programme Schedule:
✔️ 21 May – Neurophysio Led Exercise
✔️ 28 May – Boxing/Aerobics
✔️ 4 June – Yoga
✔️ 11 June – Neurophysio Led Exercise
✔️ 18 June – Boxing/Aerobics
✔️ 25 June – Yoga

All classes are FREE to attend and suitable for all abilities.

📧 For further details and to book your place, contact Philip:
[email protected]

🚨 New activity alert!! 🚨

A variety of different exercise classes are starting this Thursday 21 May, in partnership with RAPID NI.

All classes will commence at 7.30 pm in The Diamond Centre, 30 Barnailt Road, Claudy, BT47 4EA and are free to attend.

21 May - Neurophysio led exercise
28 May - Boxing/aerobics
4 June - Yoga
11 June - Neurophysio led exercise
18 June - Boxing/aerobics
25 June - Yoga

For further details and to book your place contact Philip by email - [email protected]

‼️ Please note: the North-West Early Onset cafe is cancelled in May and June as regular attendees have decided to take part in these classes together instead. They welcome others to come along and join them as it's a chance to socialise as well as take part in some exercise.

05/05/2026

A moderate to challenging walk within the ancient woods managed by the Woodland Trust.

05/05/2026

RAPID were delighted to be invited to present at the recent Northern Periphery & Arctic INTERREG Programme seminar for the Sustainable Arctic and Peripheral Biking Tourism project in Kemijärvi, Finland. Together with our partners, The Outdoor Partnership, we shared our experiences of being an Associate Partner in the project and outlined our future plans for developing new cycling opportunities in the Sperrins.

01/05/2026

Congratulations to RAPID Board Member Clement Lynch on his election as Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

Clement has long been a strong advocate for rural communities, and we have no doubt he will continue to champion their needs and interests in this important new role.

Wishing him every success as he takes on this well-deserved position.

Garvagh farmer, John McLenaghan, was voted in as president for two years, while Glenn Cuddy was re-elected as deputy president for a second term. They will be joined by newly elected deputy president Clement Lynch

30/04/2026

Launching Learning Without Walls 🌳🍃🪵

We were delighted to officially launch our Learning Without Walls programme this week, delivered by RAPID in partnership with the Northern Ireland Forest School Association 🌿

This exciting project will provide all 28 rural primary schools across the Derry City and Strabane District Council area with a bespoke outdoor learning programme, alongside opportunities for school staff to access accredited Forest Schools training.

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success—it was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm for outdoor learning across our rural school communities.

A special thank you to the pupils from St Mary’s Primary School Altinure and Cumber Claudy Primary School who joined us and supported the demonstrations on the day—you were brilliant!

This project is proudly funded through the PEACEPLUS Change Makers Fund, supporting opportunities that bring people together and strengthen our communities.

We’re excited to get the programme underway and continue working with schools across the area!

Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB
Northern Ireland Forest School Association
Cumber Claudy Primary School
Friends of St Mary's Primary School, Altinure - PTA

29/04/2026

Another great series of parent and children events through the HARC project in partnership with 3 rural community groups. For details and booking links see the post below

22/04/2026

Bluebell Painting in Learmount.

This fantastic event is taking place next Friday. See poster below for more details

Use the link below to book your place

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987791316337?aff=oddtdtcreator

Bluebell Painting in Learmount🎨
Come along and get creative painting our beautiful native Bluebells. Beginning with a short walk to the display of Bluebells in Learmount Forest we will return to paint our own pictures to take home.

Booking essential: please use the link below to book your place

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987791316337?aff=oddtdtcreator

A project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

20/04/2026

HARC walking programme.

The second week of the HARC walking programme will take place on Saturday 9th May. See the post below for details

HARC Walking Programme: Walk 2

The second of our fantastic monthly walks will take place on Saturday 9th May

Walk 1: Faughan Valley Woodlands
A moderate to challenging walk throughout the ancient woodlands managed by the Woodland Trust. Covering 8-10km and led by Far and Wild this walk is an opportunity to explore these precious woodlands. Please come prepared with suitable footwear, a drink and snack. Please note there are some steps along the trail.
'From the soaring height of the ancient trees to the tiniest wild flowers, the Faughan Valley Woodlands have secrets to uncover and surprises to seek.' The Woodland Trust.

Booking Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987605586815?aff=oddtdtcreator

Walk 2: M**f Glen Foraging Walk and Talk
A shorter woodland walk through the tranquil M**f Glen led by Far and Wild. An area rich in history with stories to tell. A circular path, which includes inclines and uneven terrain. This will be a slower paced walk so all abilities welcome however suitable footwear is essential. We will also hear from the North West Red Squirrel Group and if we are lucky enough, we might spot one too!

Booking Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987610514554?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please note spaces are limited on both walks and you must register using the Eventbrite links first to secure your place. A health and safety registration will take place on the day only.
A project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB