The group helps people coping with the impact of old age and conditions including cancer to care for and stay with their companion pets. It is using the £499,281 grant over five years to expand their support by creating regional teams of volunteers across Northern Ireland to allow people to keep their pets which offer an important emotional bond and reduce social isolation. The project reaches people who need support and befriending from groups including Marie Curie, Macmillan and Age NI.