Ten local organisations to benefits from Hyndburn Borough Council community cohesion grants
Ten local organisations to benefit from Hyndburn Borough Council community cohesion grants
Hyndburn Borough Council is pleased to announce that it has offered grants totalling £57,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to support ten community cohesion and resilience projects across the borough.
In December, the Council invited local organisations to submit proposals for grant funding to deliver projects that address key themes of the funding, such as improving community cohesion, tackling extremist ideologies that are driving communities apart in areas of the UK, and enhancing local partnerships to build community resilience.
Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of the Council said:
“This funding opportunity proved very popular and was significantly oversubscribed. However, the Council was fortunately able to provide an additional £30,640 from other community funding streams, taking the total grant funding to £87,640, to ensure all of the best proposals could be financially supported. We are delighted to be able to offer grants to so many interesting and diverse projects.”
Councillor Kimberley Whitehead, Portfolio Holder for Community Cohesion said:
“We were overwhelmed with funding applications which shows there is a real demand for funding to support our communities. The panel read through many excellent applications and I’m so glad that the Council was able to provide additional funding so that support could be provided to more projects.
Our voluntary, community and faith organisations carry out such important work towards making Hyndburn an inclusive and welcoming place to live. These projects will play a key role in promoting unity, understanding, and shared values around the borough.”
Grant offers have been made to organisations from across the borough, as detailed below:
- Awaaz £14,700
- Accrington Stanley Football Club £14,500
- Accrington Stanley Community Trust £13,500
- Accrington Community Events (ACE) £7,000
- Maundy Relief £5,280
- Scaitcliffe Community Centre £9,400
- Bahja Initiative £4,000
- Clayton Amateur Boxing Club £14,860
- Hyndburn Academy £2,400
- Hyndburn Cultural Association £2,000
Image: Councillor Kimberley Whitehead, John Brindle and Councillor Munsif Dad at Clayton Amateur Boxing Club
Accrington Stanley Football Club will use the funding to put on a number of tailored workshops for Year 8 pupils and an open Iftar event at the Wham stadium, whilst Accrington Stanley Community Trust will equip 1000 Year 5 and 6 children with the knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs of extremism via learning and sports related workshops.
The Bahja Initiative will expand the warm space hub to a daily offer providing a community cohesion and poverty reduction project; Clayton Amateur Boxing Club will collaborate with Super Slow Way on an exciting ten-week arts-based project; Hyndburn Cultural Association will take residents on an educational trip to the Houses of Parliament; and Scaitcliffe Community Centre will bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to celebrate Iftari.
Warren Eastham, Commercial Director at Accrington Stanley FC said:
“We welcome this funding. Members of the public will be invited to break their Ramadan fast together at the Wham Stadium, sharing food and enjoying the experience, while a call to prayer will be delivered pitch side and prayers will take place indoors in a special prayer room. Over the last 8 years, children from all backgrounds have received football shirts through Accrington Stanley’s big shirt giveaway when they are in year 3 at primary school. This new allocation of funding will allow continuation in the club’s ambition to share the power and experience of football to prevent and counter harmful narratives.”
Martin Fearon, Chief Executive of Accrington Stanley Community Trust said:
“We are delighted to receive this funding. Our grant will enable us to work with over 1000 children from across Hyndburn. We use sport as a delivery tool for all different kinds of learning and this project will be no exception. My team look forward to delivering this.
John Brindle of Clayton Amateur Boxing Club said:
“We are grateful for the grant from Hyndburn Borough Council and extend our thanks to the panel for recognising the value of our proposal.
Our initiative aims to collaborate with local schools that have culturally diverse pupil populations, with the goal of uniting different cultures through sport. Specifically, we will focus on non-contact fitness boxing. Additionally, we are collaborating on this project with Super Slow Way, who will engage students through art and other activities, providing them with opportunities they might not have otherwise accessed.
Both Clayton Amateur Boxing Club and Super Slow Way will commence sessions after the half-term break in February.”
Funding is provided by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and is part of the £2.5 million Integrated Security Fund (ISF), to provide support to local areas to bring communities together, strengthen social connections, and counter harmful narratives that drive divisions.