It’s really important to us that we invest in our local communities. Did you know in 2022-23, £51,956.80 of grant funding was awarded to various community investment projects? This year, we want you to help us decide where this funding is spent.
When we receive a community investment grant (CIG) application, we want you to tell us whether you think we should support the local project or not.
We have received an application from Coney Weston Bowls Club. They have applied for £5,000 to upgrade their clubhouse and create a community meeting space.
The current building is an old timber pavilion that is decaying. Its size currently can only accommodate some players on a match night, and there is no space for them to sit and enjoy refreshments post-match.
The new proposed clubhouse will comfortably accommodate two bowling teams (24 in all) and their equipment, allowing them to change for the game. There will also be enough room for players to enjoy refreshments, including a licenced bar and a kitchen area.
There will be ample room for the community to hold classic village events, such as Carpet Bowls, Race Nights, Film Nights, Whist, and Coffee Mornings. The facilities will also be available to hire by the community for private events and village group activities.
This project will ensure the long-term survival of the bowls club. The increasing focus on involving more villagers in sports and other activities will maximise the club’s contribution to a thriving village. The site is at the heart of the village and something the local community can be proud of.
We have received an application from REACH in Haverhill. They have applied for £5,000 to help with their resident debt project.
REACH works directly with residents who may have lost their way financially. Many of these people are struggling with debt and are unsure how to budget effectively. REACH’s project wants to tackle hardship by doing two things:
When someone calls REACH, it tends to be for a food parcel. The need for a food parcel usually hides a deeper issue: debt. It might be temporary debt, like a sudden hefty car bill, which has made it impossible to make ends meet that month. It might also be a deeper, ongoing debt, where month after month, life is hard, debt spirals and credit card repayments become impossible milestones to meet. Both examples bring low self-worth and shame, and both are equally important to resolve as quickly and effectively as possible so that the individual or family can start living again.
REACH expects to help around 2600 people in Haverhill in the next year, 900 of whom will be children.