Posted on Tuesday 19th November 2024
Cllr Northcott, Michelle Friel-Martin – Head of Fundraising and Development and Jill Rezzano – Head of Education at the New Vic theatre.
Lunch clubs for older people, befriending groups, healthy eating projects, exercise and dance classes are some of the projects making a real difference in Staffordshire communities.
Funding worth £245,000 has been made available by Staffordshire County Council to 18 voluntary, community, and social enterprise groups. Grants were awarded to groups to help support existing activities, develop new projects and meet gaps identified to meet the needs of local residents.
The funding supports local communities through the county council’s Supportive Communities, Better Health Staffordshire and the Five Ways to Wellbeing initiatives. It’s all about improving people’s health and wellbeing and enabling people to remain independent and healthy within their local communities.
The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme received funding towards their Open House café project, which helps connect people in the local area and improve wellbeing.
Paul Northcott, Cabinet Support Member for Public Health, Integrated Care and Safeguarding at Staffordshire County Council, visited the theatre to see the project first hand.
Cllr Northcott said:
“We have a vibrant voluntary and community sector that has a real positive impact on local communities and it’s important that we support them.
“This is important funding that supports voluntary and community organisations who deliver vital support in local communities. It was great to see some of these projects first hand and to speak to some of those accessing the local support.”
Jill Rezzano, Head of Education at the New Vic Theatre, said:
“We could never have dreamt how successful Open House café would be.
“The chance to connect with other people, enjoy free refreshments and feel truly welcome has become the cornerstone of many people’s week. We are truly grateful for this funding and the chance to provide this essential wellbeing in our community.”
Other groups receiving funding included Methodist Homes Association Communities - South Staffordshire, for their ‘Sustain and Expand’ project. This delivers weekly social groups, lunch clubs, a dementia focused day centre, befriending, exercise and dance groups.
In East Staffordshire, new projects include a ‘Grow it, Cook it, Eat It’ course for people recovering from mental ill health and a new holistic exercise and lifestyle programme by Burton Albion Community Trust.
In Staffordshire Moorlands, focused activity sessions are supporting people with healthy aging, helping them to access nutritious food, and enhance physical and mental wellbeing and reduce loneliness.
Project Indi is launching a new, inclusive, weekly social group for adults with disabilities to connect, have fun and enhance their wellbeing in Newcastle Under Lyme.
In Stafford, Beam is launching a new project supporting adults with learning difficulties, aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation. A number of districts will also benefit from the innovative ‘How to Feed your Dragon’ programme, aimed at developing healthy relationships with food.
Further details of funded organisations and their projects are available at Staffordshire Connects | VCSE Grants. Staffordshire Connects is an online directory that promotes activities, help and support, for people to access across the County on Staffordshire Connects website.