NE Groups receive grants from Big Lottery Fund
Community projects across the North East, including areas like Durham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Hexham, Hartlepool, Tyne & Wear and Berwick, are celebrating receiving grants from the Big Lottery Fund in its latest round of awards.
Here's just a few getting a cash injection.
Future Regeneration of Grangetown receives £41,543 to develop plans to overhaul its existing building which is completely dilapidated. Major renovations will allow for an IT suite, meeting area, kitchen, cooking classes, dance and keep fit sessions. The organisation focuses on supporting people with significant need, although planned services and activities will benefit the whole community including people with learning or physical disabilities.
Berwick Coastwatch is being awarded £4,875 to install solar panels and window shutters for their coast-watch tower and radio equipment for an extra team of volunteer watchkeepers to patrol the shoreline and surrounding area. This will improve the standards of safety for everyone visiting the area.
Financial Inclusion and Capability NorthEast Ltd in Durham receives £8,830 to deliver money mentoring training to frontline staff, volunteers and individuals to be supported to become community mentors. This will improve support services in the local area for people on low incomes, at risk or recovering from financial problems, and provide them with debt advice to enable them to manage their money more effectively.
Hextol Foundation in Hexham receives £10,000 to furnish their newly acquired community restaurant. This will allow them to offer work experience and restaurant skills training for people with learning disabilities or mental health issues.
Media Live CIC in Sunderland receives £9,600 to deliver a programme of multimedia and film-making training workshops and courses for vulnerable young people. This will provide accredited awards to improve confidence, communication skills and employment opportunities and enable them to access further education or employment in the creative digital industry.
The National Victims Association receives £10,000 to provide support, advice sessions, workshops and a community event for people and families across Tyne and Wear who have been bereaved as a result of serious crimes. This will provide peer support and signposting to services and activities to enable them to express their thoughts and feelings to help them move forward with their lives.
Sustrans receives £7,500 to deliver intensively supported walking and cycling training and activity sessions to people in Stockton diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This will help to improve their overall health by increasing their activity levels and self-management of their conditions.
Youth Drop in Group in Hartlepool receives £8,690 to deliver physical activities including boxing, martial arts, dance and mini boot camps for young people and children. This will provide them with opportunities develop new skills and improve their physical health and wellbeing.
Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund, England Grant Making Director, said:
“It’s great to see so many inspirational projects being funded this month, whether it's supporting people with learning difficulties, victims of crime, or providing training for young people. They are all excellent examples of people working together to support others in their community.”
Today’s awards have been made through the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All and Reaching Communities programmes. Awards for All provides grants between £300 and £10,000 to voluntary and community organisations and Reaching Communities awards larger grants of £10,000 and above.