Groups grab a grant

Published by Paula Littleboy for Together Housing Group in Housing and also in Communities

Community groups from across Yorkshire have been given a financial boost after being successful with a grant bid.

A dance club, a neighbourhood watch scheme and a couple of Tenant and Residents Associations were amongst the bodies that were able to get some of a £5,000 pot.

The money was put up by Chevin Housing Association (a member of the Together Housing Group) and contractors AU Property Maintenance; Bramall Construction; Liberty; Southdale and the Sure Group.

The judging panel chose the following winners:

• Brighton Court  TARA in Heckmondwike                                     
• Havercroft Parent Forum in Wakefield                                        
• Katz and Co School of Dance in Leeds                                       
• Barracks Community Association in Pontefract                          
• Windsor Garden Community Group in Barnsley                         
• Royal Flush Neighbourhood Watch in Barnsley                          
• Potteries Court Residents’ Association in Rotherham              
• St Edmunds TARA in Castleford                                                  

Together Housing Group, Deputy Group Chief Executive Steve Close and Chevin Chairman David Green handed over the cheques at a special ceremony.

Mr Close said: “These projects, while not massive in scale, are vital to improving neighbourhoods and bringing communities closer together.  Chevin aren’t just about bricks and mortar, we’re about improving people’s lives so well done to all the winners. We know the grants will make a lot of people very happy.”

Kathleen Elwell, from Katz and Co School of Dance, was delighted with the award.  She said: “It’s brilliant news as it will allow us to get a new laminate floor for one of the studios.  We’ve worked very hard to get the base into good shape and every little bit helps.”

John Crooks, from the Windsor Gardens Community Group, added: “The money we have been awarded will be used to buy garden furniture for our communal garden.  It’ll be great for people to get together in the summer months and have a chat.  We’re very happy to have been successful.”

Photographed: Doing the splits for joy a dancer from Katz and Co School of Dance