New cash to address under-privilege and hardship in Swindon
Town gets £3m from Shared Prosperity Fund for levelling up
Swindon Borough Council has been awarded £3m to address under-privilege and hardship in the town.
The money was granted to the council by the government from its Shared Prosperity Fund as part of its “levelling up” agenda. The UK total allocated is £2.6billion.
Leader of the council David Renard said: “The objective of the fund is to build pride in places and to increase life chances and, in order to receive our share of the money, we had to submit an investment plan, which has just gained approval.
Our plan set out how we would use the funding to tackle particular Levelling Up challenges across the Borough including supporting Swindon’s young people into work with a focus on those who are at risk of being left behind.
“We also want to increase accessibility in Swindon and will be looking to invest in public buildings and country parks so they are open to all to enjoy.”
Rather than spend all of the money on its own projects, the council has announced it will use some of it to help charities and community groups already working in the borough.
The Alzheimer’s Society will receive £140,000, while The Harbour Project has been granted £24,000, and the Wrong Shoes Theatre Company, the experimental company which also provides training to actors of all experience at the Shoebox Theatre in the Health Hydro has been allocated £31,655/
Beechcroft Library, which is run by Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, is in line to receive £50,000 and Julia’s House Children’s Hospice can look forward to receiving £80,000.
Coun Renard said: “I was thrilled we were able to support some of our partner community groups through the fund and our officers had the pleasure of informing them this week that money will be coming their way to help them continue to deliver their vital work for local residents.
“An additional £1.2m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has also been allocated so we can deliver the Multiply adult numeracy programme to help local people who don’t have maths GCSE at grade C, or equivalent.
“Multiply has been proven to build confidence with numbers and helps those who take part in the course to gain a qualification, which is vital to helping people access job opportunities, help them to increase their wages or put the building blocks in place for further study.
“I look forward to seeing the funding make a real difference to people’s lives over the next few years.”