A chance to share in a £25,000 hand-out

COMMUNITY groups, residents, charities and social enterprises which support neighbourhoods and communities in Warrington are being invited to apply for a share of a £25,000 fund.
Now in its fifth year, the Heart of the Community Fund, set up by Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) and builders merchants Jewson, aims to help individuals and groups achieve their aims to enhance the lives of local residents.
The fund is also supported by a number of other partners, including AG Painting, Sure, Omega Access North, MCP Environmental, LAS Asbestos and DW Hargreaves.
It is open to applications from all constituted voluntary and community groups within Warrington and tenants and residents who are not part of a constituted group to apply for funding to complete a community project that benefits a group of people.
Over the last five years GGHT and its partners have allocated over £100,000 in funding to local groups and organisations.  Last year 46 community projects/initiatives received funding, including:
* £500 – Radley Common Management Group to provide activities on their very first community fun day and enabling a resident consultation to take place in the heart of Orford.
* £2,300 – Ryland White Sharks Under 10s Rugby team to buy new kit, which allowed them to take part in a rugby tournament.
* £900 – Trans Warrington to purchase promotional material and technical equipment.
* £300 – OWCH Pain Support Group to provide holistic therapy sessions for people in chronic pain.
* £500 – Time4Sharing, a volunteering scheme encouraging residents to help each other to purchase a laptop and promotional materials.
Funds have been used for community fun days, equipment to support and promote group training, IT, sports and play equipment and much more.
Thanks to the fund, a group from Fearnhead has lost eight stone in 10 weeks.
They were awarded £500 to set up a weight management project offering free, accessible sessions to local residents.  The group used the money for room hire and to purchase scales.
Sue Emery, group co-ordinator said, “The project shows what you can do with an idea and a small amount of money.  The group has gone from strength to strength.
“The money allowed us to access additional support from Warrington Collegiate who provided a keep fit and weight management tutor free of charge.  This partnership has allowed us to continue the project and benefit more residents.  The group has even been nominated for an Adults Learner Award by the Collegiate.
“We are seeing fantastic outcomes, it’s not just weight loss.  Two members of the group are no longer classed as diabetic as they have reduced their sugar levels.”
Group member Rose Corry said: “It’s brilliant – it’s made me think about what I’m eating and drinking. I am now preparing healthy meals and making meal plans, which has both helped me have a healthier diet and save money.”
GGHT chairman Roy Smith: “The fund allows us to support even more residents and groups across Warrington. I would like to thank Jewson and all of our partners who have contributed to the fund and made this possible.”
The first application deadline for funding is May 31. To find out more about the Heart of the Community Fund visit www.gght.org.uk/gghtfunding or contact GGHT’s Regeneration Team on [email protected].