Posted on Monday 25th July 2022
The Cannock Chase Shed Project
Staffordshire residents are benefiting from local projects thanks to funding and backing from county councillors.
Cannock Chase Shed, a self-help community group, who bring people together by making and repairing things and 1st Fazeley Scout Group, who are getting out on their first camping trip since Covid-19, are amongst the projects funded through the Staffordshire Local Community Fund.
In South Staffordshire, Brewood Singers brought members of the local community together, who are at risk of loneliness and isolation, for a series of practice sing along sessions and a special performance. Meanwhile, a new multi-agency community help centre, offering support to people in Cannock, also received funding. Coniston Hall at Pye Green Christian Centre were awarded £2,600 by local county councillors towards the creation of a new interview room and improved reception area.
Over the last year, the fund has supported 158 community projects from across the county, with organisations and groups receiving over £115,000.
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Each year, our community funding helps hundreds of local projects that help make a real difference to people’s lives.
“Our communities are at the heart of everything we do and this year we saw a real mix of fantastic projects, from those helping to bring older residents together, to those helping people with mental health issues and those getting young people out on their first scout camps following the pandemic
“We have wonderful community spirit in Staffordshire and a vibrant community sector, all helping to make Staffordshire people’s lives better. We continue to work with the sector, to help it grow, be sustainable, and to provide essential support to our residents and communities. This year’s fund is currently open for applications and I would urge people to check if they are eligible and then to speak to their local county councillor.”
Dave Shaw, Chairman at Cannock Chase Shed said:
“We’re a local branch of the national ‘Shed’ movement of self-help community groups who bring people together to connect, by making and repairing things together. We were delighted with our £140 from county councillors, which allowed us to buy some new tools to deliver a special project.”
Jen Beardsmore, Secretary of Brewood Singers said:
“Our event was a huge success with all 27 participants thoroughly enjoying the project and final performance. The funding has been invaluable in helping the group get up and running again following the pandemic and we’re incredibly grateful for it. The money helped towards the costs of hiring a larger hall and additional sets of music sheets for singers and guests.
“The singing is only part of the story though. The project has become a great way of bringing people from the local community together, many of whom would be at risk of isolation or loneliness.”
In East Staffordshire, Approach Dementia Support used free Dementia training sessions held in Burton, to increase awareness and change perceptions of Dementia. They used £450 in funding to put on sessions, which helped others to understand how the disease affects those who have been diagnosed, their carers and their families.
In Staffordshire Moorlands, £250 helped the History Live project go ahead in a Covid-safe way, with two coach trips bringing people together for trips out. The funding also helped with Covid adaptations, such as increased sanitiser and helped the group to go ahead with this kind of project when they had already had to spend more on other adaptations, such as the hire of a larger venue.
The 2022 Community Fund is now open for applications and people should speak to their county councillor in the first instance. Each county councillor has an allocation of up to £2,500 towards funding projects in their area.
The deadline for applications for the 2022/23 funding is 31 October and funding must be spent by 31 March 2023, unless otherwise agreed with the county council. Further details on the projects supported by the Local Community Fund for each year, along with guidance on applying to this year’s fund, is available at our County Councillors Fund page.