About Us
Meeting needs, changing lives.
About Via Wings
We are a charity based in Dromore, Co Down that aims to support people in our community in a practical, non-judgemental way. We have an ‘any situation through the door’ policy when it comes to helping people, but the main issues we tackle are related to:
Poverty and living on the bread-line
Social isolation
Mental health
Crisis and emergency situations
The Support That Enables Our Work
We are grateful to have a fantastic team of 20 staff and 75 volunteers who do amazing work. We also couldn’t achieve the things we do without the support of:
Revenue from our pre-loved clothes shop, Wings ‘N’ Things
Partnerships with local businesses including M&S, Tesco and Lidl
Donations & fundraising events
Grants & funding awards
Lifting People Up On Wings Like Eagles
What Is Poverty?
Poverty is so much more than the lack of food or money - poverty is also loneliness, isolation, deprivation, brokenness and so much more. All of these things are just as close to each of us as the loss of a job, sickness, breakdown of a marriage, death of a loved one or abuse, both physical and mental. We also understand that houses can sometimes be shells and not necessarily homes, which can be as cold inside as they are outside.
We Base Our Charity On Isaiah 40 V 29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Areas We Provide Services To:
We provide our services to families and individuals living in the following locations in Northern Ireland.
Dromore
Via Wings supports people experiencing poverty, mental illness, isolation and crisis in Dromore.
Dromara
Via Wings supports people experiencing poverty, mental illness, isolation and crisis in Dromara.
Kinallen
Via Wings supports people experiencing poverty, mental illness, isolation and crisis in Kinallen.
Waringsford
Via Wings supports people experiencing poverty, mental illness, isolation and crisis in Waringsford.
Donaghcloney
Via Wings supports people experiencing poverty, mental illness, isolation and crisis in Donaghcloney.
Blackskull
Via Wings supports people experiencing poverty, mental illness, isolation and crisis in Blackskull.
Core Values
We aim to deal with all of the above and more, on a daily basis in our community and also now further afield. Our aim is to show God’s love in a loving, caring, practical and non-judgemental way.
Positivity
Encouraging each other with a positive outlook.
Capability
Everyone is capable of making an impact.
Transparency
We believe in transparency to focus on the real message.
Awards We Have Won
Begin Together
The Begin Together Awards recognise the towns and urban places demonstrating exceptional leadership during these challenging times.
IPB Pride of Place
An all-island competition that acknowledges and celebrates the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland.
British Empire Medal
The BEM or the British Empire Medal is a medal awarded for meritorious (meaning ‘deserving reward or praise’) civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.
The Queens Award For Voluntary Service
Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). Created in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, QAVS awards have been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups for many years.
Special Recognition for Volunteering Through Covid
Charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have received the prestigious award for delivering exceptional service within their communities over the past year and beyond.
Point of Light
Points of Light are outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community. Every weekday the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer with the daily Points of Light award.
Community Awards
These awards are our way of thanking exceptional people and groups for the tremendous work they do within the community. It is an opportunity for us to officially recognise the commitment and effort of those who demonstrate outstanding citizenship.