Stronger Communities Fund boosts community support for thousands across Knowsley
A recent evaluation into the success of Knowsley’s second round of Stronger Communities funding (for the year 2023/24) has revealed that the grants helped to launch or grow fifty community projects that benefitted over 14,000 local people, delivering significant positive impact across the borough.
Over £350,000 was allocated to groups from across the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sectors. Groups could apply for up to £2,000 for new organisations or projects that required ‘seed funding’ to launch and test their activities, and established organisations could apply for up to £10,000 to sustain, extend or expand existing projects.
Of the fifty projects supported:
- Twenty-nine projects helped directly with Cost-of-Living support.
- Eleven projects offered support to residents boroughwide.
- Ten projects directly supported young people in Knowsley.
There were almost 5,500 new participants engaged in these projects and 87.5% of the projects were able to continue beyond the funding period.
In the past eight years, the Council has invested more than £2m Knowsley’s VCFSE sector with the aim of supporting groups that help families deal with the challenges brought by the current cost-of-living crisis.
Over the last month, Knowsley’s Cabinet Members have been visiting groups across the borough who have benefitted from some of that funding in recent years.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council visited three groups based in Huyton; The Old School House, who received funding to enhance the security of its building, An Hour For Others who used their funding to launch a community hub and Karma in the Community.
Funding has enabled Karma in the Community to deliver cross-generational support, fun free activities for those at risk of social isolation, and a ‘soup & a sandwich’ drop-in. With investment from the Better Youth Spaces Fund they were able improve their youth offer with internal refurbishments and new equipment.
Cllr Morgan joined Cllr Christine Bannon, Cabinet Member for Health at Evolving Mindset CIC who have used funding for the Knowsley Men’s Wellbeing Club, a safe supportive and non-judgemental environment for men of all ages to increase their physical activity and gain support for their mental wellbeing.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development paid a visit to three Kirkby organisations to see the impact funding has made. Happy Hours at Towerhill Community Centre used their funding to provide dance fitness sessions in a welcoming and active space for residents to come together, improve their wellbeing, and stay connected. KABS Youth Club have been able to offer a wide range of engaging activities for local young people in a safe and supportive environment.
At Tower Hill Community Hub, funding has provided them with the opportunity to host a warm hub for residents and support sporting achievement with a boxing programme and football coaching, equipment and facilities hire. The Community Hub also secured investment from the Better Youth Spaces Fund to make external upgrades and purchase new equipment, significantly strengthening its youth provision.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods visited the 9th Knowsley Halewood Scout Group who were able to purchase a supply of outdoor essentials, ensuring all young people in the group can participate in activities without financial barriers, thanks to funding from the Counci
See the full impact of the 2023/24 Stronger Communities Fund here: STRONGER COMMUNITIES CASE STUDIES