Hackney,
21
April
2017
|
10:52
Europe/London

Cash available for community groups in Hackney

W&T_Cinephilia

Community gardening, collective cooking and film screenings are just some of the ways residents will benefit from Hackney Council’s Small Grants Fund.

Eighteen groups have been awarded almost £83,000 to deliver a range of community-focused activities around the borough, thanks to the latest round of the Hackney Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Programme.

Hestia, a charity that supports survivors of domestic violence, will now receive funding to provide activities for mothers and their children who are recovering from the trauma of Domestic Abuse. The project helps mothers and children to rebuild confidence and enjoy quality time as a family, something that domestic abuse strips away.

Sarah* who has two children aged 5 and 7 and has taken part in the Hestia project said: “It is so beautiful to have these opportunities and to see my children grow in confidence. I never knew about all these things I could do in London.” Her eldest Jamie* added “it was so fun I did so many things I never did before like ice skating! I loved spending time with my mummy and my sister because it makes me feel so happy and I also have so many new friends here.”

For green fingered residents nearly £5,000 will help Hackney Blends, a gardening for health project, deliver community training sessions, helping both gardens and communities grow in Hackney.

Natalie Mady, Co-director of Cordwainers Grow said “Hackney Blends project focuses on the wellbeing aspect of community gardening, creating a space where plants and people nurture each other. The participants will develop their gardening skills, make new friends and learn simple ways of incorporating herbs into their lifestyle for improved wellbeing.”

Elsewhere Cinephilia will host a screening programme across the borough, bringing classical cinema back to life for residents of all ages to enjoy together.

Vasco Vieira, Co-Founder and Director at Cinephilia said: “We are very excited to join Hackney’s older and younger generations together to rediscover these great films with the support of Hackney Council.”

Successful applications demonstrated how their projects will help improve the lives of residents by focusing on one of the following themes: reducing poverty, raising aspirations, promoting healthy living, making the borough safer, promoting mixed communities, or increasing community pride.

 

 

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Devolution
All of these worthwhile projects help make Hackney a great place to live and work. The valuable work provided by the voluntary and community sector ensures Hackney is a place where everyone feels included. I'm pleased that even in times of economic difficulty we can support organisations right across the borough to help make a big difference to many people's lives.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Devolution

Organisations can bid to the Council for grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000. The next round of applications for the community grants fund is now open and closes on Wednesday 17 May. Apply here.

 

 

 

*names have been changed to protect identities