Neighbourhood funding boost

Four Neighbourhood Development Officers from St. Helens Council’s Neighbourhood Initiatives Team have over the past year successfully secured £1 million of funding for community groups and centres in the Borough.

Lynn Clarke, Neighbourhood Initiatives Manager, is keen to give recognition to the team for their excellent work and the results that have been achieved.   She said:  “In a relatively short space of time, the team has achieved such a lot for local communities. The £1 million of funding now being accessed by local groups and centres is fantastic news.”

Council Leader Cllr Brian Spencer added:  “The Council has always stressed its desire to support neighbourhoods and the development of local community groups and initiatives and clearly the work of the Neighbourhood Development Team is testimony to that.”

The team - Mel Mulcahy, Jill Lynes, Ian Ogilvie and Gill Watson - has supported a range of residents, groups and centres in various ways, including attending management board meetings, linking people with activities and projects, providing information and advice and facilitating funding applications.  Projects funded have included the provision of  equipment such as IT facilities, changing rooms, football pitches, sports equipment and disability lifts and hoists, days out, a
carnival and parties.

Newly appointed team member Gill Watson is keen to support community groups and residents in Parr.  You can telephone her on 01744 621523 and find out what support your group can receive.

The Neighbourhood Development Team is based at  St. Helens Together - the Council’s Local Strategic Partnership.  To find out more or for an informal chat, call 01744 621515

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Press release issued: January 15 2007