[C]umbria County Council’s Allerdale Local Committee recently took the opportunity to look back at some of the projects supported through the Community Project Fund during 2017-18 at a meeting on 3 April.
A wide variety of projects were supported during the last financial year. These included £1,000 for Yew Tree Hall Management Committee towards a new kitchen in the hall; £1,000 to West House towards an outdoor gym at the Allerby Garden Centre and £1,000 to Greenwich Leisure Limited to pilot fitness classes in Wigton.
Local members agreed that the input from the Children and Young People’s Partnership has helped to ensure that funding granted from the Children and Young People’s report has helped to address priorities for young people in Allerdale. Through Allerdale Local Committee and the Children and Young People’s Partnership, the council will address the key themes of youth employment, improving accessibility to mental health and wellbeing services and the Good Health for Life Project during the forthcoming year. Examples of projects for young people funded during the 2017-18 financial year include £1,000 to Allonby Parish Council towards erecting a secure fence around Allonby Play Park; £1,000 to Dean Parish Council to improve road safety around Dean School, and £1,000 to Netherhall Community Development Group to subsidise sporting activities for young people during the recent Easter school holidays.
The Area Manager for Allerdale reported to Allerdale Local Committee some of the highlights from the last year, including the Health and Wellbeing Research Project, known locally as ‘Solway Views.’ This project is run in partnership with Lancaster University. The team engaged with 19 residents from Mossbay and Salterbeck to understand their views on health issues. This project recently won the ‘Research for Wellbeing Award’ at the North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards 2018. To be nominated for this award, nominees had to demonstrate validated research that either raises awareness of a key area of concern or contributes to a reduction in health inequalities in local communities.
Councillor Alan Barry, Chair of Allerdale Local Committee, said: “Looking back at the grants awarded this year I am pleased to see how many diverse and well deserved projects have benefited from the support of Allerdale Local Committee members. We will continue to ensure that we support our communities throughout the coming year.”
Councillor Tony Markley, Vice Chair of Allerdale Local Committee, said: “I am very happy that the work of the ‘Solway Views’ project has been recognised and has resulted in a well-deserved award. This vital piece of research is contributing to helping the community move forward in tackling health inequalities.”
For more information on the grants available please contact the Allerdale Community Development team on 01900 706188 or visit Cumbria County Council’s website.
