Community Ventures (CV) is based in Thorntree, Middlesbrough.
It provides a base for voluntary organisations to offer training, outreach activities, and wrap-around specialist support.
In addition, CV provide weekly job clubs, therapeutic art groups, after-school clubs, social groups, and other community-led activities.
Over the past year, CV has seen an increase in the number of men accessing their services. These men identify as having a mental health issue, feeling isolated, facing financial difficulties or are unemployed.
Through previous and existing projects, referrals, partnership working, and one-to-ones with local stakeholders, CV and East Middlesbrough ABC (boxing club) would like to offer local men the chance to get together each week to enjoy free physical and wellbeing activities.
Activities will include a group session at CV and a boxing session at the East Middlesbrough ABC gym. Sessions will come under the Men Active Now banner.
Target clients for these sessions are men, who are unemployed and feel they are socially or financially isolated and/or suffering from mental health issues.
Funding will cover the costs of a tutor, fitness coaches and gym hire for one year. Sessions will start as soon as current COVID restrictions are lifted.
This initiative supports the PCC’s objective of Securing the Future of our Communities.
The PCC has approved £8,736 in funding from the Police Property Act Fund.
Decision 2020-00243630. Funding for Men Active Now, Middlesbrough (application, 297kB)