£000s for Wear Valley groups

Published by Frances Griss for Dale & Valley Homes in Housing and also in Communities

People from young to old will benefit from the latest round of grants from the Better Homes Better Lives fund.

The fund is run by Dale & Valley Homes with financial contributions from partners Gentoo and Esh Property Services and gives small grants to community groups in the area.

Grants totalling almost £3,000 are being awarded this time, including £500 to Crook Community Partnership for a new computer to produce their monthly newsletter and £426 for prizes, activities and publicity at Witton-le-Wear Community Fair, which is planned for July 14.

Watergate Action Group, also based in Crook, will receive £500 for an over 60s day trip and Stanhope Social & Sports Club will receive £500 to assist with a project to repair their roof.

WearValleyIndoor Cricket League will receive £435 for trophies and equipment.

Colin Stockwell, chairman of Dale & Valley Homes, said: “We were really pleased at the range of applications, the fund really does help the whole community lead a better live, which it what it was set up for.

“Small amounts of money can make a huge difference to a small group, allowing them to organise activities which improve quality of life for people who would be isolated and lonely otherwise.”