More than £9,000 has been given away in micro-grants to community organisations in Hartlepool.
Thirteen Housing funded the community grants as part of the PCC-led Safer Streets 5 programme in the Victoria ward.
A total of £9.336.54 was distributed to six organisations, who work with the community in a number of ways. The cash supported 20 different community initiatives.
Projects ranged from upgrading a memorial garden at Lynnfield Primary School to a gardening group at St Joseph’s Court.
The second largest grant went to the Crafters Exchange and Drop-in Community Interest Company (CIC.) The company is based at the Salaam Centre.
The grant will help the CIC recruit and train new volunteers as well as make sure it continues to offer a cost-effective way for residents to take part in crafts.
Reducing social isolation
CIC Owner Angela Swinbourne said: “At the craft exchange, people can buy supplies very cheaply or swap something they don’t need for something they want.
“That stops unwanted supplies going to landfill and makes crafting a lot more affordable.
“Crafting is a fantastic way of dealing with mental health problems. It also reduces social isolation, enabling peopel to socialise and learn new skills.”
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Cleveland has led on the multi-agency Safer Streets’ programme.
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey said: “Community safety isn’t just about the big environmental projects like CCTV, alley gates and improved lighting.
“It’s about making people feel safe and included so they feel confident to take an active part in their community and ownership of what happens in it.”
Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “As well as making people feel safer in their neighbourhoods due to a range of target-hardening measures, a big part of Safer Streets 5 has also been to promote and foster a positive community spirit in Victoria Ward, improving people’s quality of life as a result.
“The community fund has provided vital financial support to ensure that groups can continue their good work in engaging with local people, encouraging residents to get involved and promoting and fostering health and wellbeing.”
Angela Corner, Thirteen’s Head of Regeneration and Communities, said: “We’re always looking for ways to make a positive difference in our communities, so we were delighted to fund the grants in this round of the Safer Streets programme.
“Our funding has supported all kinds of community activities, including veterans’ and men’s mental health groups and brunch and pie clubs. It’s also helping a community group improve its facilities for people with special needs.
“Local people are doing great things in our communities every day and it’s really rewarding that we can work with our partners to support them like this.”