Twelve organisations have been successful in their bids to the Hyndburn Community Champions Fund, with a range of initiatives that offer support for people suffering the long-term impact of the pandemic or who have been disproportionately affected.
After an overwhelming response to the small grants scheme the initial allocation of £100,000 was increased to £132,750, with thanks to East Lancashire NHS CCG for providing this additional funding.
The Hyndburn Community Champions initiative, using funding awarded to Hyndburn Borough Council from The Ministry of Housing and Local Government, aims to tackle the impact of Covid-19 through establishing community networks and delivering a range of projects in the local area.
Aawaz ‘Take Care Project’
Aawaz will tackle the loneliness and isolation felt by South Asian Women, working to improve their health and wellbeing through covid response work and 1 to 1 support projects.
Bahja Initiative ‘Support Projects’
Bahja Initiative will deliver coffee mornings, youth centre facilities, walking groups and fitness classes for those who have been suffering from the impacts of Covid-19, with a focus on elderly, vulnerable, BAME and young people.
Brain Health Breakthrough CIC ‘Long Covid Support’
Brain Health Breakthrough CIC will deliver 12-week courses and information and engagement sessions to support those suffering from long-covid, including 1 to 1 support and help with digital inclusion.
Carers Link Lancashire ‘Connecting Carers Project’
Carers Link Lancashire will offer registered adult unpaid carers with support and activities until August 2021, to help them with needs resulting from the impact of Covid-19. Monthly community events will also be open to the wider public.
Civic Arts (Hyndburn Arts Ltd) ‘Projects for Elderly Residents’
Civic Arts will deliver craft, exercise and local history walks for elderly residents. Helping them socialise and become more active after the pandemic in a covid-safe way, with access to support.
Community Solutions North West Ltd ‘Wellbeing Plus’
Community Solutions North West will deliver various workshops and training, plus facilitate covid-safe social groups for people who have been adversely affected by covid. Where needed counselling and mentor support will also be provided.
Healthier Heroes ‘Support for veterans’
Healthier Heroes will provide accommodation for homeless veterans and support them with mental health treatments and activities to aid recovery and transition into the community post-pandemic.
Little Green Bus ‘Vaccination Transport’
Little Green Bus will provide covid-secure minibus transport and volunteer car scheme journeys for vulnerable people who need to access covid-19 vaccination appointments or other medical appointments.
Maundy Relief ‘Covid Advice Project’
Maundy Relief will offer wrap around advice and support to Hyndburn residents who have been affected by the covid-19 pandemic through redundancies or reduced income. Support will include advice with welfare and benefit, communicating with DWP, food parcels, counselling and housing advice.
Outdoors4All Together CIC ‘Campfire, Conversation, Cooking and Craft’
Outdoors4All Together will provide a safe and relaxing outdoor space for the local community to socialise. With outdoor/woodland crafts, activities and confidence building projects to help people who may be nervous or in need of social interaction after periods of isolation due to the pandemic.
Spring into Action ‘Spring Out and About’
Spring into Action will support people to transition to face-to-face meetings, including outdoor walking groups. Helping people to overcome anxiety through ‘food and friendship’ groups and chaperoned walks for individuals who need it.
YNOT Aspire ‘Youth Mental Health Support’
YNOT Aspire will provide two youth workers for 5 months to provide 1 to 1 support for young people experiencing low-level mental health issues. The project includes working with individuals, families and partner organisations such as local education providers to help them develop coping skills and strategies whilst addressing the issues.
Kirsten Burnett, Head of Policy and OD at Hyndburn Borough Council said:
“It was really important that we could use the Hyndburn Community Champions Funding to give back to community organisations who have been boots on the ground throughout this pandemic. They know the people of Hyndburn and what they need, this money will help them build on the fantastic work they are already doing.
“It was wonderful to see the variety of projects and ideas from our community organisations during the application process and it will be great to see these being delivered over the coming months. Each project that was chosen by the panel will make an impact and the support from East Lancashire NHS CCG, who added over £30,000 to the funding, is really appreciated.
This small grants scheme has been organised and delivered on our behalf by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CVS who have done a fantastic job,”
For more information about the community champions fund please visit: www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/communitychampions