Community Stories

Celebration of your stories

Welcome to community stories, a place to share news and celebrate what is happening in your community. If you have any stories you would like to feature on our page or in next months newsletter please get in touch at communityresilience@coventry.gov.uk or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.

Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub secures £20,000 National Lottery Funding
The Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub, with support from the Community Resilience Team, is celebrating after receiving £20,000 in National Lottery Awards for All funding to launch new youth club sessions at Daimler Green Community Centre.
Running every Sunday from 12pm–2pm, the project will provide a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 11–18 to socialise, learn new skills, and take part in positive activities including pool, darts, music, fitness, creative sessions, and chillout spaces.
The programme was developed following consultation with local young people, who highlighted the need for more activities and safe places to meet in the area. Over the next two years, the project aims to support more than 160 young people, helping to build confidence, improve wellbeing, and providing positive alternatives to anti-social behaviour.
Michael Green from the Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub said: “This funding will make a real difference to young people in our community by giving them a safe place to come together, make friends, learn new skills, and access positive activities. We are excited to see the project grow and support brighter futures for local young people.”
The Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub uses the word “Fight” as a positive message about overcoming challenges and building brighter futures for young people across the community.
Young people aged 11–18 are welcome to attend the weekly sessions held every Sunday from 12pm–2pm at Daimler Green Community Centre, 48 Highley Drive, Radford, Coventry CV6 3LR.
For more information, contact 024 7659 6402.
Rooted Group secures funding to continue supporting women in Hillfields
A much-valued community group supporting women in Hillfields is celebrating a boost that will help secure its future and continue its vital work.
Rooted, a grassroots women’s group, has been awarded a £500 donation from St Philip’s to support venue hire costs, ensuring the group can continue to provide a safe, welcoming space for women across the community.
The group, which began nearly three years ago at the Hope Centre on Vauxhall Street, was originally part of a wider National Lottery-funded project. Alongside services such as a community café, foodbank, and social supermarket, Rooted quickly became a trusted and well-known space, particularly for women facing significant challenges.
Over time, the group grew into a vital source of support and connection, offering a place of refuge for local women experiencing vulnerability, homelessness, and social isolation. Rooted was born directly from the team’s deep connection with the community and their understanding of local need.
In July 2025, the wider project came to an unexpected close, giving staff and volunteers just one month’s notice. Despite this setback, the strength and impact of Rooted was clear; both the volunteers and the women attending were determined that the group should continue.
With a short extension granted to remain at the Hope Centre, the team worked quickly to secure a new base. Today, Rooted has successfully relocated to St Peter’s Church on Charles Street, Hillfields, where around 25 women attend weekly sessions.
Since reopening, the group has gone from strength to strength, providing a supportive environment where women can build confidence, form friendships, and take positive steps to improve their lives. The impact has been clear, with many attendees beginning to turn their lives around and flourish.
However, like many community-led initiatives, Rooted has faced financial challenges, particularly in covering essential costs such as venue hire. The recent £500 donation from St Philip’s is therefore a significant and timely contribution, helping to maintain this vital space for women who rely on it.
The group is now taking steps to formalise its structure as a constituted not-for-profit organisation, which will enable it to access further funding and ensure long-term sustainability.
This story highlights the power of community-led action and partnership working in Coventry. With continued support, Rooted is well placed to keep making a meaningful difference to the lives of women in Hillfields and beyond.

Celebration of your stories

Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub secures £20,000 National Lottery Funding
The Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub, with support from the Community Resilience Team, is celebrating after receiving £20,000 in National Lottery Awards for All funding to launch new youth club sessions at Daimler Green Community Centre.
Running every Sunday from 12pm–2pm, the project will provide a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 11–18 to socialise, learn new skills, and take part in positive activities including pool, darts, music, fitness, creative sessions, and chillout spaces.
The programme was developed following consultation with local young people, who highlighted the need for more activities and safe places to meet in the area. Over the next two years, the project aims to support more than 160 young people, helping to build confidence, improve wellbeing, and providing positive alternatives to anti-social behaviour.
Michael Green from the Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub said: “This funding will make a real difference to young people in our community by giving them a safe place to come together, make friends, learn new skills, and access positive activities. We are excited to see the project grow and support brighter futures for local young people.”
The Fight Academy Community Wellness Hub uses the word “Fight” as a positive message about overcoming challenges and building brighter futures for young people across the community.
Young people aged 11–18 are welcome to attend the weekly sessions held every Sunday from 12pm–2pm at Daimler Green Community Centre, 48 Highley Drive, Radford, Coventry CV6 3LR.
For more information, contact 024 7659 6402.
Rooted Group secures funding to continue supporting women in Hillfields
A much-valued community group supporting women in Hillfields is celebrating a boost that will help secure its future and continue its vital work.
Rooted, a grassroots women’s group, has been awarded a £500 donation from St Philip’s to support venue hire costs, ensuring the group can continue to provide a safe, welcoming space for women across the community.
The group, which began nearly three years ago at the Hope Centre on Vauxhall Street, was originally part of a wider National Lottery-funded project. Alongside services such as a community café, foodbank, and social supermarket, Rooted quickly became a trusted and well-known space, particularly for women facing significant challenges.
Over time, the group grew into a vital source of support and connection, offering a place of refuge for local women experiencing vulnerability, homelessness, and social isolation. Rooted was born directly from the team’s deep connection with the community and their understanding of local need.
In July 2025, the wider project came to an unexpected close, giving staff and volunteers just one month’s notice. Despite this setback, the strength and impact of Rooted was clear; both the volunteers and the women attending were determined that the group should continue.
With a short extension granted to remain at the Hope Centre, the team worked quickly to secure a new base. Today, Rooted has successfully relocated to St Peter’s Church on Charles Street, Hillfields, where around 25 women attend weekly sessions.
Since reopening, the group has gone from strength to strength, providing a supportive environment where women can build confidence, form friendships, and take positive steps to improve their lives. The impact has been clear, with many attendees beginning to turn their lives around and flourish.
However, like many community-led initiatives, Rooted has faced financial challenges, particularly in covering essential costs such as venue hire. The recent £500 donation from St Philip’s is therefore a significant and timely contribution, helping to maintain this vital space for women who rely on it.
The group is now taking steps to formalise its structure as a constituted not-for-profit organisation, which will enable it to access further funding and ensure long-term sustainability.
This story highlights the power of community-led action and partnership working in Coventry. With continued support, Rooted is well placed to keep making a meaningful difference to the lives of women in Hillfields and beyond.

Previous Stories

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May's Community Stories

almost 3 years ago

Tile Hill Community Partnership - Coronation Party on the Green
The Coronation Party on the Green took place on Monday 8th May. The event was a huge success in bringing the community together.
There was a whole range of activities for everyone to enjoy including a picnic lunch, free raffle, children's entertainment, a disco, face-painting and craft workshops to name a few!
Over four hundred adults and their children attended. The organisers gathered hundreds of completed questionnaires which are currently being analysed. The results will be used to plan future ways in which the lives of the Tile Hill Community... Continue reading
Tile Hill Community Partnership - Coronation Party on the Green
The Coronation Party on the Green took place on Monday 8th May. The event was a huge success in bringing the community together.
There was a whole range of activities for everyone to enjoy including a picnic lunch, free raffle, children's entertainment, a disco, face-painting and craft workshops to name a few!
Over four hundred adults and their children attended. The organisers gathered hundreds of completed questionnaires which are currently being analysed. The results will be used to plan future ways in which the lives of the Tile Hill Community can be enhanced.
The Community Resilience Team secured a £2,000 grant to support the event.
The organisers wish to thank Bowmer + Kirkland, and Balfour Beatty for providing a huge number of free novelty gifts. TESCO provided soft drinks and the children at Finham 2 for assembling five hundred picnic bags.
The event was supported by volunteers from the University of Warwick who ably erected marquees and supervised craft sessions, by a Girl Guide leader, children from Finham 2, Coventry City Park Rangers, by Jardine Crescent Library staff and by committee members of the THCP planning group and stakeholders’ group. Two volunteers/employees from the Family Mosaic Hub also led craft sessions
The event was such a success, organisers are now in discussion about repeating the event in 2024!
If your community organisation needs support applying for funding, please get in touch with the team communityresilience@coventry.gov.uk

EuroCan-Can - Never ending Coventry Community Can-Can Line
Coventry digital arts organisation, Ludic Rooms, created a never ending digital can-can line as a 'love letter' to Eurovision and Ukraine, working with Coventry communities.
EuroCan-Can is Ludic Rooms’ pop up project, using greenscreen to bring random dancers together digitally, in a never-ending can-can line. The project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and supported by the Community Resilience Team.
Ludic Rooms visited community venues in Earlsdon, Canley, Foleshill and the city centre to film people dancing and holding messages of optimism and solidarity. The organisers worked closely with Coventry’s Ukrainian Community Centre and the EuroCan-Can line includes Ukrainian dancers wearing traditional costume.

The project is about bring different people together in a fun way to show support for Eurovision and Ukraine. Organisers said "Its ultimately about togetherness and bringing people from all walks of life to do something and have that together moment"
The creative project aims to empower communities to come together and co-create a piece of digital artwork.
EuroCan-Can line was shown throughout May on the Coventry Millennium Square big screen. You can watch the Eurocan-can line on Ludic Rooms website.

WATCH (Working Actively to Change Hillfields) 25th Anniversary
During May WATCH community centre held a community event to celebrate their 25 year anniversary along with the Coronation of King Charles III.
The event brought the Hillfields community together to enjoy live acts including Keno Demus and Liz Max, Feisty with Cazzy and Zeze, Soulful Choir as well as Kadence Drumming, Indian Dancers and a Tai Chi demonstration.
The Community Resilience Team worked with WATCH to secure over £9,000 funding to support the event and ongoing projects in the community.
The celebrations also had a number of information stalls highlighting the support services available across Coventry. These included: Positive Images Festival, The Highlife Centre, Creative Kindness, Creative Optimistic Visions, Voluntary Action Coventry, St Giles, Coventry Libraries and Information Service as well as Transport for West Midlands with their Let’s Chat Bus!
Children were kept entertained with several activity stations including giant games and free face painting. Food was kindly provided by Sky Blue Support.
Kate Hills, Event Organiser said, "It was extremely positive to see so many community members come together to celebrate"
More photographs of the event are on the WATCH Community Centre website
Photographers: Waleed Sadeq and Wai Sang (Wilson) Chan
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April's Community Stories

about 3 years ago

Deeley Construction donates £1,000 to support local communities
Deeley Construction, which is headquartered in Coventry, has donated £500 each to Hope Community Project in Lower Stoke and St Laurence’s Church in Foleshill.
The donations are part of the company’s commitment to supporting the communities where they work.
Deeley Construction partnered with the Community Resilience Team to link the business with two organisations which needed support in those areas.
Hope Community Project provides mental health support alongside a social supermarket. It provides food parcels for up to 70 families a week living in Lower Stoke.
Its services have been vital with... Continue reading
Deeley Construction donates £1,000 to support local communities
Deeley Construction, which is headquartered in Coventry, has donated £500 each to Hope Community Project in Lower Stoke and St Laurence’s Church in Foleshill.
The donations are part of the company’s commitment to supporting the communities where they work.
Deeley Construction partnered with the Community Resilience Team to link the business with two organisations which needed support in those areas.
Hope Community Project provides mental health support alongside a social supermarket. It provides food parcels for up to 70 families a week living in Lower Stoke.
Its services have been vital with the cost-of-living crisis and now, more than ever before, local people are seeking support from charities with food supply.
St Laurence’s Church in Foleshill provides a safe haven for women and also offers a food bank for people living in the area, ensuring that people that need help can get it in Foleshill.
Deeley Construction’s donation to each organisation will be used to purchase non-donated food items they need for food hubs.
Eleanor Deeley, Joint Managing Director of the Deeley Group, said: “We are proud to have supported charities across Coventry for more than 85 years.
“Community is a core value of our business and we always seek to support the communities we work in. The Community Resilience Team identified these two causes and we were only too happy to support.
We hope the donation will make a difference to both organisations and benefit people living in the communities they serve.”
Caroline Taylor, Manager at Hope Community Project, added: “This funding will help us to purchase fresh food that will really make a difference to the food we provide. We cannot thank Deeley enough.”
If your business would like to support a local community project please get in touch at communityresilience@coventry.gov.uk

In April we celebrated Earth Day - Jubilee Crescent Community Centre
It's well known that getting out in nature can have many health and wellbeing benefits including generating positive emotions including joy, calmness and creativity.

The garden at Jubilee Crescent Community Centre is looking particularly beautiful this spring!
The gardening group at the centre received £1000 with the help of the Community Resilience Team to spruce up the garden area. This grant has allowed them to purchase some much needed necessities such as their locally made storage shed, new tools, seeds & compost and of course seating so the community can enjoy the space.

S&S Contracting Limited supports Stoke Heath Community Centre
Stoke Heath Community Centre have received a £500 donation from S&S Contracting Limited. They are currently working on a development off Wykeley road in Coventry and wanted to do something locally that could support people who really need help. The Community Resilience Team put them in contact with Stoke Heath Community Centre, that run a social supermarket that supports up to 65 families each week, with food.
Kimberley White the centre manager said “This money will help us purchase much needed essential non donated food items for our members. With the cost-of-Living crisis demand for our service is increasing. We cannot thank them enough!”
Craig Brooker Director said “We are delighted to have been able to support Stoke Heath Community Centre with funds to help continue its incredible and vital work. Especially at time when it is needed most”
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February's Community Stories

over 3 years ago

Solo Group Valentines Dance
Coventry Solo Group have put some of their £8000 Awards for All grant to good use on their Valentine's Day dance. The Community Resilience Team guided the group through the process and supported them with writing and submitting the application.
Coventry Solo Group have provided a place of friendship and support to isolated people for over 50 years. Their members are alone following bereavement, divorce, social anxiety, or otherwise. They meet weekly for conversation, entertainment and refreshments. They also run additional dedicated theme nights throughout the year.
If you want to get involved, then head down... Continue reading

Solo Group Valentines Dance
Coventry Solo Group have put some of their £8000 Awards for All grant to good use on their Valentine's Day dance. The Community Resilience Team guided the group through the process and supported them with writing and submitting the application.
Coventry Solo Group have provided a place of friendship and support to isolated people for over 50 years. Their members are alone following bereavement, divorce, social anxiety, or otherwise. They meet weekly for conversation, entertainment and refreshments. They also run additional dedicated theme nights throughout the year.
If you want to get involved, then head down to Christ the King Community Centre on Thursday evenings.
Jill from the group said: "We at Coventry Solo Club were thrilled to receive our lottery funding and to celebrate, we gave everyone a free buffet at our Valentines dance on 9th February. We are all young at heart elderly people who love to dance so come and join us one Thursday evening. We are there every week, always give a warm welcome, and are all very friendly. Don’t be put off if you can’t dance because you can sit and listen to the music and make new friends!"
Clothing Coventry School Uniform Project
The Community Resilience Team have recently been working with Clothing Coventry to get this much needed project off the ground. Working with the Councils Education Improvement Standards & The Coventry Law Centre the group have managed to secure a total of £38,000 to get this project to provide preloved uniform to families that need support operational.
Clothing Coventry will be targeting Hillfields and Foleshill initially and branching into other areas across the city as this service develops. This will enable families to access & donate uniforms locally in community venues across the city.
As well as the uniform project, clothing coventry also meets the increasing demand for adults clothing, men’s clothing in particular.
They are open Monday 10-1, Tuesday 10-12 and Wednesday 4-7pm. 19 Napier st, CV1 5PR stay up to date with opening hours and donations needed by visiting their facebook page.(External link)
Clothing Coventry will be working closely with schools, food hubs, while also having pop-ups at HAF Projects and community events. Any organisation interested in being a pop -up venue or regular venue for families to access this service please contact Katie from Clothing Coventry; katie@clothingcoventry.org

Business Support Working with Community Resilience Team to help voluntary organisations
Business Development within the Economic Development Service at Coventry City Council has been working directly with the Community Resilience Team, to get local developers and business to support local charities in Coventry. This is important as very useful connections are made as developers sign up to engaging in some charitable work in communities as part of their social value targets.
These contacts have resulted in developers, giving out paint and sometimes providing manpower to organisations to revamp community spaces. For examples Bowmer + Kirkland who are currently building around Friargate, provided paint and some manpower to decorate Bethels Churches new community café area. While Stoke Heath Community centre had their ladies’ toilets repainted.
Developers may also give small amount of funding to local charities that are near their new building development areas. Over Christmas CRT managed to get 5 of the developer contacts to either collect food or donate money to the Coventry Food Network Christmas campaign.
The Community resilience Team do keep a list of small items or jobs that they need completing at community spaces, so developers can choose what community project they would like to support. So, if your project or group needs paint, volunteers or other items. Please contact a member of the team and add to our list we share with them.
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January's Community Stories

over 3 years ago

Oasis Community Hub & Café
Oasis Community hub & café have worked with the Community Resilience Team to secure a £1000 donation from Coventry's General Charities. This has gone towards refurbishing their new community café location.
The Oasis Community Hub & Café has been a focal point of the Spon End and wider community for the last 5 years. They have provided a safe, warm and inclusive space by offering good and inexpensive food & drinks, friendly conversation, and activities to help increase confidence & make friends.
The café has moved to the front of Bethel Church in Spon... Continue reading
Oasis Community Hub & Café
Oasis Community hub & café have worked with the Community Resilience Team to secure a £1000 donation from Coventry's General Charities. This has gone towards refurbishing their new community café location.
The Oasis Community Hub & Café has been a focal point of the Spon End and wider community for the last 5 years. They have provided a safe, warm and inclusive space by offering good and inexpensive food & drinks, friendly conversation, and activities to help increase confidence & make friends.
The café has moved to the front of Bethel Church in Spon End and will act as a warm bank during the colder months, offering hot food and craft activities. The space is open to everyone so do head down and enjoy!

Get Courageous
Get Courageous is tackling the city’s textile waste in 3 different ways: COV CLOTH, REVIVE and Young Creators. Their REVIVE sessions are a creative wellbeing programme designed to improve women’s wellbeing through creativity and peer support, empowering them to live well. The Community Resilience team have helped secure nearly £2000 of funding to run 25 sessions.
Women are invited to attend our weekly two-hour workshops in an inclusive space, for meaningful social connections, where over a cuppa and a chat, we take part in ‘no skills required’ clothes up-cycling workshops. Activities are designed to boost moods, induce calmness, and develop confidence and skills. 

Cov Cloth
The COV CLOTH aspect of Get Courageous is also working alongside Hope Community Projects to run the Cosy Homes Project over the winter: a warm bank with food and activities to keep people warm and happy during the cost-of-living crisis. This is financed by the National Grid, a fund sourced by the Community Resilience Team.
Cosy Homes
The Cosy Homes team are at Bill’s Place every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 – 2pm with COV CLOTH joining them every Monday for Cosy Makes. You can also get access to Cosy Packs at home and find their Cosy Toolkit online for home makes and information.
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December's Community Stories

over 3 years ago

This month was International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The UN has marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December since 1992, to spread the word on disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The Grangers club is a social club for young people with learning disabilities to meet up with their peers and have fun.
The group provides a safe space for members to make friends and have fun in an all-inclusive environment. The group enables its members to make individual choices and develop independent confidence in their... Continue reading
This month was International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The UN has marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December since 1992, to spread the word on disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The Grangers club is a social club for young people with learning disabilities to meet up with their peers and have fun.
The group provides a safe space for members to make friends and have fun in an all-inclusive environment. The group enables its members to make individual choices and develop independent confidence in their own ability.
With the support of the Community Resilience Team, the group received £1,170 from the Council’s Support and Recovery Grant. This will cover the groups expenses for 6 months and has allowed them to invest in new equipment to give the club more variety and encourage the members to try different activities and games.
They are now being supported by the team to make further applications to The National Lottery Awards for All.
The group meet every Tuesday at the Hagard Centre 6:30pm-8:30pm

Sky Blue Support
Sky Blue Support has been continuing it’s hard work putting on weekly street feed events to those in need in the Hillfield and Willenhall areas. Each week they provide free warm meals, grocery items and clothing. They have partnered with local groups and charities, restaurants and cafes, and even supermarket chains to help provide support to the community. On the last event, over 100 hot meals and drinks were provided and over 150 food parcels were given to people struggling during this difficult time.
Having worked with the Community Resilience Team, Sky Blue Support applied for the Community Recovery Grant and was awarded £1050 to be able to hire out indoor warm spaces in Hillfields and Willenhall to be able to continue their work, whatever the weather. This has certainly come in handy during these chilly last couple of weeks!

The Resilience Team was able to help in connecting Sky Blue Support to venues to host the weekly feed events, the first of these being at St Peter’s Church in Hillfields on Saturday, 17^th December. The next event is set to be a festive feed on Saturday, 24^th December at Willenhall Social Club. This is a free event, and Sky Blue Support are supporting it with hot and cold food, drinks and snacks between 10am til 12pm.
More feeds are set for the new year at 1pm each Saturday in Hillfields and Willenhall - to find out more about the next events, check out their social media page and you can donate to the go fund me page

Canley Chit Chat Group
A community group that meets every Tuesday at the Canley Community Centre for chat and companionship.
The group is for people aged 50+ and was established by the centre manager Anna-Marie Corbett and has a growing membership. It costs £1 for entry, and all are welcome. It supports residents who might be feeling socially isolated, and lonely. The group does a varied variety of arts and crafts and has professional crafters come and teach them new skills such as flower arranging, and wreath making.
Anna-Marie worked with the Community Resilience Team and applied for their Community Recovery Grant Fund and was awarded £1500 to purchase new equipment and supplies to introduce new crafting hobbies.

One group member was delighted with the new crystal art craft that she was introduced to. It gave her a new focus and helped her with concentration and had a calming, relaxing effect on her wellbeing. It also gave her a lovely picture that she was able to take home and admire her achievement.
The community centre is also open as a warm space a warm space centre for anyone who needs warmth and a free hot drink.

Developers across the city support Coventry Food Network's Christmas Campaign
The Community Resilience Team (CRT) have had a very busy couple of months supporting the Coventry Food Network by devising a Christmas Donations Campaign to help increase donations over the festive period.
The team approached local developers & businesses to help advertise and share their campaign with their employees and set up donation points on their premises. There was also a collection box at Friargate where Coventry City Council colleagues could also donate items.
The food donated and money raised will be distributed between the food hubs and used to bulk purchase non-donated food items which will support families not just over Christmas, but into January. To date £2040 has been raised in 7 weeks and approximately £1,700 of food distributed.
The Community Resilience Team and Coventry Food Network would like to thank all the staff at Friargate and all those organisations that supported the campaign.
These include: Belfour Beatty, Bowmer + Kirkland, Danaher & Walsh Civil Engineering LTD, Highway Traffic Management, East Midlands Landscaping LTD, Severn Trent, Smart Learner, Stubbs Construction LTD, The Rose and Crown, Vacant Property Services (VPS), Wolston Community & Friargate.

Contributors all either raised money, collected, and donated food items from employees or advertised the campaign. Their support has been invaluable to the network and enables them to continue to provide their services.
If you would like to support Coventry Food Network bulk purchase food visit their just giving page where individuals can donate as much or as little as they like. Every donation is vital to the local organisations running the social supermarkets and in ensuring vulnerable families have enough support this Christmas.
More information on all support available can be found https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cost-living-wellbeing-support
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November's Community Stories

over 3 years ago

This month we celebrated International Men's Day
The Willenhall Men's Support Group have been providing a safe space for men who are isolated or struggle with their mental or physical health for the last 12 months.
The group meets once a week, to chat and support each other alongside tea and biscuits, with a pizza evening once a month. Each month members take turns creating a quiz, allowing them to focus on their passions and interests. The group works on a principle of simplicity; there are no professionals there, just men sharing their lived experiences to help one another.
With... Continue reading

This month we celebrated International Men's Day
The Willenhall Men's Support Group have been providing a safe space for men who are isolated or struggle with their mental or physical health for the last 12 months.
The group meets once a week, to chat and support each other alongside tea and biscuits, with a pizza evening once a month. Each month members take turns creating a quiz, allowing them to focus on their passions and interests. The group works on a principle of simplicity; there are no professionals there, just men sharing their lived experiences to help one another.
With the support of the Community Resilience team, the group have received £1,600 of funding from the Council’s Support and Recovery Grant. This will cover the group's expenses for 6 months and has allowed them to open for a further weekly session on Mondays throughout November.
The group meet every Wednesday night at the Hagard Centre from 5 – 7pm
Support Coventry Food Networks Christmas Appeal
The Community Resilience Team have been supporting the Coventry Food Network by creating their Christmas Donation Campaign and promoting it to local businesses. They are now looking for any support possible with donations to help families in need.
The social supermarkets run a membership scheme and provide approximately £25 worth of food for £5. With the cost of living crisis, the demand for their service is increasing, so any support is greatly appreciated.
We have social supermarkets running in Foleshill, Radford, Hillfields, Henley Green, Cheylesmore, Tile Hill, Canley, Stoke Aldermoor, Stoke Heath, Spon End, Willenhall and Holbrooks.
Find your local donation points here or donate via our just giving page
Survivors Sanctuary
The Community Resilience Team were approached by the charity Grapevine to support a new group that had been set up by one of their members. The group are called the ‘Survivors Sanctuary’ and support women who are survivors of any type of sexual abuse.
The group were looking for funding to support them with the cost of room hire and some equipment for their activities, and a meeting was arranged to discuss how CRT could help.

Since coming up with the idea of starting the group, they have met with a variety of agencies such as West Midlands Police, Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (CRASAC), Coventry University, and the local MP, to shape how the support would look.
Since lockdown reporting and access to services has more than doubled. Waiting time for counselling at CRASAC is between 12-18 months, and the Survivors Sanctuary provides a safe space for survivors to meet others who share the lived experience of sexual abuse.
An officer from the CRT advised the Survivors Sanctuary to put in an application to their Community Recovery Support Grant. The group were successful with their application and were awarded £1,085 towards room hire costs, equipment, and promotional material.
The group will only grow in numbers in the coming years and the positive impact this project has on its members is immense. CRT will continue to work with the group to apply for external funding to sustain the project in the long term.
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October's Community Stories

over 3 years ago

St Francis of Assisi’s food hub has welcomed much needed support from Local Construction Company GF Tomlinson!
St Francis of Assisi runs in the heart of the community in Radford offering a wide range of services and support to the local community such as employment support, volunteering, ESOL and one of their most successful offers of support in their weekly food hub.
The food hub supports 60 registered families in the area providing a bag of essential food supplies each week. The hub relies on donations from local residents or businesses and on it making successful applications for funding grants... Continue reading
St Francis of Assisi’s food hub has welcomed much needed support from Local Construction Company GF Tomlinson!
St Francis of Assisi runs in the heart of the community in Radford offering a wide range of services and support to the local community such as employment support, volunteering, ESOL and one of their most successful offers of support in their weekly food hub.
The food hub supports 60 registered families in the area providing a bag of essential food supplies each week. The hub relies on donations from local residents or businesses and on it making successful applications for funding grants to source the food to enable it to keep running.
Construction Company GF Tomlinson, who are working on a build at Barr’s Hill School, reached out to the Community Resilience Team to see what community projects they could get involved with and provide support to, close to the site, as part of their social value commitment to the city.
The team linked them to St Francis of Assisi, and after finding out about the valued and essential support that the food hub offered, they donated £500 to the food hub.
Councillor David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: ”This kind of support from businesses working in the local area is so valuable to the communities they help. This money can make such a difference and with the help of the Community Resilience Team’s support it has gone to a key hub to support those most in need”
Selina Read, Chief Executive officer from the church added: “We are extremely grateful for the funding GF Tomlinson has given to us. The money will be used towards sourcing food for the families who access our social supermarket. We are seeing an increase in the number of families needing food support, and it is vital that we are able to continue to help those who are facing hardship. GF Tomlinson have helped us to be able to do this”.
Councillor Maya Ali, Ward Councillor for Radford added: “It has been a pleasure to see this valuable community asset get this money from GF Tomlinson. This will really help with all aspects of the support St Francis of Assisi provide to the local community and we are very grateful for their donation”
Carl Wiltshire, Framework & Pre Construction Development Manager from GF Tomlinson shared “Over the past year we have been involved with the construction of new teaching facilities at Barr’s Hill School and as part of our relationship with The School we feel it is extremely important to support the local communities. Therefore, we are pleased to make a donation to the food bank of St. Francis of Assisi Church, knowing that the food will reach the local families where needed.
From our visit to the Church, it was amazing to listen and see how they operate and ensure that the food provided, helps to make a real difference to the lives of the local people during these times.”
Funding Secured to help bring back the source of Coventry, for people, for wildlife, for the future.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust are pleased to announce their Sherborne Valley Project has been awarded additional funding of £1.8 million pounds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Matching funding has also been secured from several partners including Coventry City Council, Severn Trent, the Environment Agency and Sherbourne Valley Churches. The total value of the project is over £3 million and the money will be invested in a variety of outcomes over the next four years. The Trust are also working in partnership with, and being supported by, Citizen Housing, Historic Coventry Trust and Coventry University in order to bring the ambitious plans to life.
The Sherbourne Valley Project has 6 key aims:
1. To make the people of Coventry feel connected to the river Sherbourne and the surrounding green spaces
2. To ensure the river and its associated habitats are improved for wildlife
3. To ensure the river is more accessible to all along its length
4. To preserve and celebrate the built heritage
5. To help the local community to become empowered and to take ownership of their river
6. To provide local communities with information and learning opportunities about their river
The project will act as a great example of how the Trust are implementing its new #TeamWilder initiative, which empowers local people to take meaningful actions that bring about nature’s recovery The funding and the project will allow Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to engage with, and provide benefit to, over 25,000 people via one off activities during the project’s delivery. The Trust expects to work with 3,500 people in a more structured, regular way through volunteering, training, walks and other sessions.
For more information or to get in touch please visit www.sherbournevalley.co.uk or find us on Facebook @TheSherbourneValleyProject or email sherbourne@wkwt.org.uk.
Funding for new mental health and Welfare Project
Kavology Ltd are a new venture who are just about to open up a new gym with the focus on the mental health and welfare of all users. Offering a bespoke fitness challenge the trainer Seamus Kavanagh is introducing exclusive sessions for individuals who have autism and others who exhibit other recognised conditions which affect their ability to make friends and develop social skills.
The Community Resilience Team (CRT) helped to produce the application to the National Lottery and after only two weeks submission a grant of £9, 970 was awarded thus proving that a scheme of this nature is greatly needed.
Kavology Ltd are based at 1a Broomfield Road, Earlsdon.
Rose Community Centre receives a fresh lick of paint from Local Developers!

Rose Community Centre which is at the heart of Spon End have recently received support from construction company Bowmer + Kirkland (B+K) and their subsidiary Peveril Decorators.
The Community Resilience Team have been working closely with B+K who are currently leading on major builds in the city such as Friargate Two, Hotel Indigo, Westgate Coventry Academy and VITA student accommodation to enable them to fulfil their social value commitment to the city.
The team put Bowmer + Kirkland in touch with the Rose Community Centre, as they were aware that the centre needed some refurbishment on its outside window frames. The Rose Community Centre offers some fantastic support to the local area such as a weekly social supermarket supporting families in need and a Men’s Shed Group also runs from the building.
Bowmer + Kirkland kindly agreed to support the centre by supplying the materials needed such as paint and brushes and also provided volunteers who helped to complete the painting over a couple of days.
Dave Roberts, Community Centre Manager from the Rose Community Centre shared “The Rose Centre would like to thank Bowmer + Kirkland and Peveril Decorators for their outstanding effort in painting our community centre windows and doors.”
Bowmer + Kirkland has previously supported the centre with food donations for the social supermarket and have more recently started a regular drop off of food donations from on-site staff to other social supermarkets in the city.
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September's Community Stories

over 3 years ago

Local Developer Support Food Hub in need!

Local developers Bowmer and Kirkland and their contractors MFP Linings Ltd have kindly donated bags of dried food and goods to the Tile Hill Food Hub run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church after an urgent call for donations.

The food hub was in need of donations due to an increase in families needing to access the food hub. To help them out, the Community Resilience Team reached out to their contacts at Bowmer and Kirkland’s to see if they could help as part of their social value commitment to the city.

They... Continue reading
Local Developer Support Food Hub in need!

Local developers Bowmer and Kirkland and their contractors MFP Linings Ltd have kindly donated bags of dried food and goods to the Tile Hill Food Hub run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church after an urgent call for donations.

The food hub was in need of donations due to an increase in families needing to access the food hub. To help them out, the Community Resilience Team reached out to their contacts at Bowmer and Kirkland’s to see if they could help as part of their social value commitment to the city.

They were quick to jump at the opportunity to help and the staff on site very kindly donated bags full of dried food and toiletries which has been a huge benefit to the food hub and families accessing it! A massive thank you to them for helping the food hub!
Parents Against Youth Violence workshops receive funding support from West Midlands Police Helping Communities Fund

The Community Resilience team contacted Oasis Leadership who run Parents Against Youth Violence workshops when they were notified of The Helping Communities Fund (HCF) relaunching and were successful in helping them secure £5,000. The HCF is made up from money seized from criminals under the Proceeds From Crime Act and is used to allow communities to invest in their neighbourhoods to improve safety.
The purpose of the HCF is to support local communities who are actively involved in projects which aim to make a positive difference and which make the West Midlands a safer place to live and/or work. All funded projects must contribute to crime prevention & reduction, and community safety in the local area.
Parents Against Youth Violence workshops are delivered to both parents/carers and young people. Young people and their carers are supported within the workshops by mentors providing information and education on topics including gang culture, knife crime, alcohol, drugs and mental health. The workshops aim to promote cohesion between carers and youths, promoting a supportive home environment, building understanding and helping youths to thrive and make the right decisions.
The project is based in Hillfields supporting families across Coventry and with the support of police funding will be able to run for a year.

The CRT team are currently supporting Oasis Leadership with funding applications to continue their work with youths that complement the workshops. Oasis Leadership also run youth only workshops at the weekend which consist of a mentor session and sports session.

Crafty Crafters receive Community Recovery and Support Grant
Crafty Crafters meet weekly at the Hagard Community Centre in Willenhall. They are a small group set up prior to Covid supporting people from the local community who are feeling isolated. Some suffer with mental health, anxiety, depression, and some are lonely and need friendships and support to rebuild their confidence. Since the COVID lockdown came to an end the group has also been supporting those that have lost confidence in going out. The group is self-funded with them doing car boot sales, raffles, tombola's to raise funds as well as receiving donations of crafting items from various sources.
Covid sadly closed the group down for a period of time, but after restrictions were lifted the group slowly returned and were working with their current and more limited stock and donations that they had left. The group applied for the Community Support and Recovery Grant for purchasing equipment and craft materials which would give them an opportunity to try some new crafts, along with some funding to advertise the group to increase members attending. The group were successful in receiving £1,525.
The group is increasing in numbers and welcomes all members of the community young and old to build friendships, reducing isolation and loneliness, increasing well-being, and building confidence in all who attend. All the members share their crafting skills. They are delighted with an award from the community recovery grant. It will increase their supply of chosen crafting materials and give them the opportunity to learn new crafting techniques.
If you or someone you know may be interested in joining the group have a look at their poster!
Creative Kindness receive the Community Recovery and Support Grant and extend their support offer!
Creative Kindness started 3 years ago with the support of the charity Grapevine. The group meets in 5 libraries across the city: Coundon, Foleshill, Earlsdon, Willenhall, and Central Library and Oasis Café in Spon End. They make simple crafts with positive messages on which are then given out to the general public or left in community spaces for people to find to brighten their day.
During the Covid19 lockdown periods the group continued to meet online via Zoom to keep in touch with their members. During that period the group’s membership increased and they have continued to grow now that they meet in person again.
The Community Resilience Team reached out to the group to see if their was any support that could be offered, particularly through the Recovery and Support Grant. The group were ambitious to take their project to a wider audience and wanted to do outdoor events during the spring/summer months. For this they would require their own equipment to allow them to set up outdoors such as a Gazebo, chairs and table. The team supported them to write an application for the grant.
Creative Kindness were successful in their application and received £1,000 towards the cost of purchasing the equipment they required to expand the project and attend outdoor events, as well as setting themselves up in public spaces across the city.
The pictures featured are of one of the projects the group are involved with called ‘One Billion Stars’. The project’s aim is to end all forms of violence across the globe by 2032. As part of that project Creative Kindness aim to create 10,000 stars involving community groups, schools, universities, the Lord Mayor’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee, the Peace Orchard and police partnerships to create a display to help spread the vision.

John White Community Centre - Community Café
John White Community Centre is a well used venue for many local people. After the easing of the COVID lockdown restrictions at the start of the year the centre was delighted to see the return of its members and groups that use the centre.
Often their café is a source of comfort for catching up with elderly friends and having a chat and a coffee and cake to make a bit of light in their day. The centre had noticed since Covid it had been a struggle for people to return to the centre and they wanted to be able to provide a service to encourage members to return safely.
Whilst the café space at John White is vital to the centre, they had been struggling to keep it up and running frequently due to lack of funds and staff/volunteers resulting in the café not being able to open on days the centre is used. Having three large groups running from the venue, with most of the members being over 60's, who love to come and visit the café and socialise with some food and drink, the centre felt that it would be important to to look at ways of getting in some funding. They wanted to ensure that these members had a nice café space to come and sit in, as well as being able to access low cost meals and snacks.
With the support of the Community Resilience Team, the community centre applied for an Awards For All Grant, to help them get the café back up and running regularly with a defined menu to support the needs of the groups. The group were successful with the funding and were delighted to receive £9,995.
This funding has been a huge helped and has now enabled the centre to get its cafe up and running again and welcome their members back through the doors.
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August's Community Stories

over 3 years ago

The Indian Community Centre receiving funding from the Community Recovery and Support Grant
The Indian Community Centre based in Foleshill, received £1,590 of funding from the from the Community Resilience Team's Community Recovery and Support Grant.
The centre was in need of support post lock down for one of the daytime activities that uses the space several days a week. Since lockdown they had struggled getting some service users to come back to their pre-lockdown activities, this had impacted their finances to run the group with fewer members attending and paying a small fee. For the short term the grant... Continue reading
The Indian Community Centre receiving funding from the Community Recovery and Support Grant
The Indian Community Centre based in Foleshill, received £1,590 of funding from the from the Community Resilience Team's Community Recovery and Support Grant.
The centre was in need of support post lock down for one of the daytime activities that uses the space several days a week. Since lockdown they had struggled getting some service users to come back to their pre-lockdown activities, this had impacted their finances to run the group with fewer members attending and paying a small fee. For the short term the grant covered the cost of room hire, as well as some funding for cleaning materials and refreshments. The team is continuing to work with to now secure external long term funding.
If your group/organisation is interested in applying have a look at our application form to see if you meet the criteria and apply now!
BOPA, Mercia Lions and the Canal Basin officially open their new Peace Garden!
A collaborative effort between BOPA (British Organisation for People of Asian Origin), the Mercia Lions and the Canal Basin Trust, has restored a previously unusable area of the Canal Basin. The area had become overgrown and attracted antisocial behaviour. After successfully obtaining funding from the Severn Trent Water Community Fund and with help from David Newman Landscaping, the area had been transformed into a multi-use Peace Garden.
The garden was designed by Alison Lambert with support from Alan Dyer – both trustees of the canal basin trust. The ownership of the Peace Garden has now transferred to BOPA and the Mercia Lions who invite people from all communities to connect with nature and enjoy some much needed green space in the centre of Coventry.
The garden has been a welcome addition for residents around the Canal Basin, with some already actively involving themselves in the upkeep. This project has been a wonderful display of cooperation and inclusion across the city.
The Peace Garden will be dedicated to the people of Coventry and officially opened on Sunday 25 September 2022.

Before

After
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July's Community Stories

almost 4 years ago

Lenton’s Lane Baptist Church receives funding from the Recovery and Support Grant and Severn Trent!

Lenton’s Lane Baptist Church is situated in the Northeast of the city and lies within the Longford Ward. The Community Resilience Team (CRT) initially contacted the church during the Covid19 lockdown period but were told it was closed until things returned to normal, but they would appreciate support once normality returned as they had ideas for projects they would like to run.

Once the lockdown periods ended the team engaged with the church to discuss their ideas. The church leader Barry Keegan said they wanted... Continue reading
Lenton’s Lane Baptist Church receives funding from the Recovery and Support Grant and Severn Trent!

Lenton’s Lane Baptist Church is situated in the Northeast of the city and lies within the Longford Ward. The Community Resilience Team (CRT) initially contacted the church during the Covid19 lockdown period but were told it was closed until things returned to normal, but they would appreciate support once normality returned as they had ideas for projects they would like to run.

Once the lockdown periods ended the team engaged with the church to discuss their ideas. The church leader Barry Keegan said they wanted to resume their youth activities due to the impact the lockdown periods had on their mental health, and they needed more equipment to encourage a larger number of young people. He also said he wanted to increase the number of activities in the community hall, particularly around healthy eating and wanted to renovate the kitchen area.

The CRT officer advised him to apply firstly to apply to the teams Recovery and Support Grant for equipment for the youth group. Secondly, he advised him to meet with the local funding officer from the Severn Trent Community Fund for the Kitchen refurbishment to discuss the groups eligibility, in which they were given the go ahead to apply.

The team assisted the group with both applications, firstly to apply for the teams Recovery and Support Grant which was successful and £650 was awarded to the church for room hire costs, arts and crafts equipment, an air hockey table, and a new volleyball net.

The second application to the Severn Trent Community Fund was for a much larger amount of funding on which the team worked closely with the church to complete to make sure that the application had been filled out correctly and that the correct documents had been uploaded to the form. A few weeks after submitting the application the group were contacted by Severn Trent to inform them that they had been awarded £20,000 towards re-furbishing their kitchen area.

The church were over the moon to receive all of this funding and are continuing to work with the team to look at other available funding opportunities, to support the groups that use the facility and to set up others once the new kitchen facility is installed.

Clothing Coventry School Uniform Project
The Community Resilience Team have recently been working with Clothing Coventry to get this much needed project off the ground. Working with the Councils Education Improvement Standards & The Coventry Law Centre the group have managed to secure a total of £38,000 to get this project to provide preloved uniform to families that need support operational.
Clothing Coventry will be targeting Hillfields and Foleshill initially and branching into other areas across the city as this service develops. This will enable families to access & donate uniforms locally in community venues across the city.
Clothing Coventry will be working closely with schools, food hubs, while also having pop-ups at HAF Projects and community events. Any organisation interested in being a pop -up venue or regular venue for families to access this service please contact Katie from Clothing Coventry; katie@clothingcoventry.org