When we joined forces with New Progress early last year, one of our key promises was to substantially increase our funding for activities that benefit our communities. The Community Investment Fund was set up – with a budget of £1.5 million to invest in our communities over the next five years.
Here’s an update of the work we have achieved so far:
- The recruitment of a Fundraising Officer to raise vital funds to support further investment in our communities
- Two new Estate Caretakers to help look after New Fylde Housing’s estates on a day-to-day basis
- Funding for a Young People’s Provision Co-ordinator in Penwortham
- Securing £20K in Government funding to assist New Fylde Housing customers with debt advice, access to financial services, access to the Internet and to fund debt training for staff
- The recruitment of an Energy Advisor to support tenants to reduce fuel consumption and bills
- Contributed to community celebrations
- Mornington Meadow Park
- HACT Golden Jubilee
- Worden New Stage Youth Theatre
- Broadfield Premises and worker initiative
- Support for training at The Bridge
- Community Foundation for Lancashire
- Support for the South Ribble Arts forum, which organises community arts and crafts events across the Borough
- Support for the Gift 92 Furniture Project, which helps around 500 families annually by supplying recycled furniture and household equipment
- The Leyland Project’s summer activities, which offers children organised activities in the school holidays.
The Fund is managed by a panel made up of tenants and Board members and it meets four times a year. Members decide how the fund is invested to make sure that it has the greatest impact on our communities.
Fundraising Officer, Aimi O’Donnell, has also been working hard to build strong relationships with local partners such as charities, councils and businesses, to help boost our community activities.
Funding Received (via fundraising Officer)
- Awards For All funding ( £10K) for a community garden
- Small Sparks Funding ( £500) for a community tool bank ( gardening tools)
- Community Foundations Grassroots match funding ( £100,000)
- Partner Pledges for Lower Lane Community Centre ( £60,000 in kind )
How to apply for funding
This is a great initiative that is driven by residents and local organisations and the Panel would like to support as many activities as possible.
The Fundraising Officer also offers training opportunities to community organisations/groups and partners in sourcing and general funding advice and guidance. We endeavour to work in harmony with our local communities and partnerships in assisting and working with them on local projects; and promote partnership working
You can find out more about the type of projects we can support here >
If you are involved with a local community project or have a great idea that you think would benefit tenants and their neighbourhoods, let us know. We may be able to help you with funding, resources or just sound advice on how to get started. Contact the Community Involvement Team on 01772 450600.
Success stories: how our work is making a real impact in your community.
'The project, Youth & Community worker in the kingsfold area of Penwortham is going really well thank you. The work has proven to be very successful thus far with community interaction growing and by far exceeding our expectations at such an early stage. The feedback we have received has all been very positive and I am confident that the post will grow and develop over the next three years leading to a much more cohesive, safer and contented community throughout Kingsfold.'
'Our work with NPHA and the support we have received has proven invaluable. The help and support from the funding officer aided us immensely and I am sure without her assistance the application would not have succeeded as well as it did. Since the receipt of the grant the support from NPHA has continued and enabled the position and the project to develop to the mutual benefit of both NPHA and the partner authorities of the MATAC group. I would have no hesitation to work with NPHA again and would recommend anyone to seek their help and support no matter what the project. 'Thank you for all you help.'
Steve Caswell, Penwortham Town Manager of Penwortham Town Council
Worden New Stage Youth Theatre – this project will provide the opportunity for young people that live on Wade Hall estate to take part in Arts activities – these will include drama, dance, visual arts and other art forms, leading to presentations/ performances during the project. These activities will allow the young people of the estate to develop their skills.
Community Foundation for Lancashire investment in their endowment fund to meet the changing needs of our communities, and to create a ‘tenants fund’. To foster an effective partnership between the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. To foster a comprehensive service for donors to help them to give effectively and creatively. Develop our expertise in the research, allocation and evaluation of grants.
Broadfield Premises and worker initiative- to create a community base facility within the Broadfield area. The base will be supported by the provision of a staff member who will seek to actualise the growing desire in the community and the responsive actions by Broadfield Community Association to make “Broadfield beautiful and its residents happy.”
Mornington Road Playing Field – to refurbish and improve the quality, inclusiveness, innovation and value of the playing field. The funds will greatly transform the playing field into a recreational facility that has something to offer everyone in the community.
Awards for All Funding – will fund the creation of a community food and flower garden at Lower Lane Community Centre. It will work with the community and especially the young people in the design, planning and planting of the garden. Working with our partners Fylde Food Co at Fylde Borough Council we hope to achieve a garden accessible to all, and to create a green haven for the community of Lower Lane, Freckleton.
