Residents of Chell Heath, Chell and Fegg Hayes call on people power to create a Big Lottery legacy for Stoke-on-Trent

Published by NigelHowle for Staffordshire Housing Group in Communities and also in Environment, Housing

Staffordshire Housing Association has been chosen to work with local people to help communities in the north of Stoke-on-Trent to benefit from £1 million in Big Local Trust Funding. 

Research has shown that communities such as Chell, Chell Heath and Fegg Hayes are not getting their fair share of funding through the National Lottery. 

SHA has been appointed by partner The Big Local Trust to generate interest in lottery funding in the three communities. 

Up to £1 million is available over 10 years, from a fund known as Big Local, and the money will be used on projects which create a lasting legacy for communities. 

Emma Roberts, Regeneration Programme Manager, at SHA, explained: “This is one of 150 areas across the UK which has been singled out for special treatment due to a low level of take up of lottery grants for good causes, it is a new approach to help communities to improve their access to funding that will make a lasting difference. 

“We are working to raise awareness of the fact that there is money available and will be working with local people to set up a partnership board of local residents to assess applications for funding. 

“The idea is to spend the money on projects which communities will benefit from for years to come. 

“For example, instead of spending the money on park equipment, we may be able to set up a social enterprise which will work to improve parks and provide jobs for local people for the long-term.”

Big Local say the 150 UK communities selected to receive the £1m Lottery funding have a history of difficulty in getting support and finance from the Lottery and elsewhere, and may face a range of issues, for example, the decline of local industry, high unemployment or low average wages, or a pressing need for new support services or activities.

The funding can be used for anything that people feel would improve their area, from training and employment schemes, to tackling anti-social behaviour, creating new community facilities or providing more activities for young people.

Rather than using the money to simply allocate grants for initiatives, residents are encouraged to use different, more sustainable ways of financing, for example giving loans or funding social enterprises, where money could be reinvested in the community.

ENDS

For media enquiries contact Sandra Barber at Staffordshire Housing Association on 01782 744533.

Notes to Editors: 

Staffordshire Housing Group is a housing association committed to building a better future for local communities.  Established in 1984, SHA provide a huge range of tenant services including maintenance, tenancy support, estate management and gardening, as well as essential guidance on income management, money advice and benefits assessments. The Association is committed to improving live in Staffordshire through regeneration, supported housing, older people’s villages, key worker homes and a rolling programme of home improvements. Their subsidiary company, Blue Mountain Housing Association, also work closely with refugee and local BME communities to provide essential support with healthcare, education, training and employment as well as access to quality housing.

For more information please visit http://www.staffshousing.org.uk/www.staffshousing.org.uk.