The money – to be spread over the next 10 years – will allow the Whitley community to identify the priorities which matter to them and take action to improve the lives of local residents.
I am over the moon about this. When I met with representatives of the Lottery in the Autumn they explained that the way this scheme is designed, it allows local people to look at their own area and decide where the money is be best spent and where it will have the biggest impact for the local community. I believe this will to bring local residents together, make the best use of skills in the neighbourhood and made a lasting difference to Whitley. It’s also a vote of confidence in the area as the lottery are looking for areas that can make the best use of the funding and have the capacity to make it go a long way.
It can be used on anything from starting up social enterprises and addressing unemployment, to tackling other local issues or providing more activities and services for people locally.
I am hoping personally that one of the things that it goes towards is a community cafe or hub that can be used by voluntary groups, adult social organisations and individuals. I also think things that promote skills and employment for residents would be great. But ultimately it’s not down to me – it’s for local people to determine!
The funding for Whitley comes from the ‘Big Local’ programme, funded through a £200m Big Lottery Fund investment and managed by Local Trust. ‘Big Local’ is helping 150 small urban and rural communities across England to make their areas even better places to live. Each ‘Big Local’ area will receive at least £1m Lottery funding to spend over the next 10 years. More information on Big Local is available at www.localtrust.org.uk.
Hi Rachel,
excellent news, well done, what a great Christmas present for the Whitley community,
kind regards Dave