Community Stories

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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

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.

Previous 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.

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  • Share June's Community Stories on Facebook Share June's Community Stories on Twitter Share June's Community Stories on Linkedin Email June's Community Stories link

    June's Community Stories

    almost 4 years ago

    Local charity Baby Godiva's growing success after successful funding opportunities and support from the team!

    Over the last 18 months the Community Resilience Team have been supporting a local charity called Baby Godiva. The charity provides free of charge, pre-loved and new nursery items and consumables to families living in poverty.

    Since the charity’s formation in 2019 it has helped 1,834 families with over 6,000 items, and the CRT has supported them in applying to a variety of funders. Since receiving support from the CRT they have been successful in bringing in around £40,000 worth of external funding so that... Continue reading

    Local charity Baby Godiva's growing success after successful funding opportunities and support from the team!

    Over the last 18 months the Community Resilience Team have been supporting a local charity called Baby Godiva. The charity provides free of charge, pre-loved and new nursery items and consumables to families living in poverty.

    Since the charity’s formation in 2019 it has helped 1,834 families with over 6,000 items, and the CRT has supported them in applying to a variety of funders. Since receiving support from the CRT they have been successful in bringing in around £40,000 worth of external funding so that the charities amazing work can continue.

    Prior to their support with the team, the charity shared that they limited knowledge and skills in applying for external funding, relying on donations to sustain the project, therefore were looking for some support to upskill themselves.

    Isabelle McCabe, who runs the charity, was offered guidance and tips on how best to write a funding application and provide with links to potential external funders that they could apply to. Working with the CRT she began to grow in confidence in filling out funding applications. Since being supported by the team, she has applied for some funding grants by herself and has been successful in bringing in several thousand pounds worth of funding in addition to that achieved while working alongside the CRT officer.

    One of those funds was the CRT’s own Community Recovery and Support Grant. Through this Baby Godiva were able to purchase fifteen Moses baskets with stands, ten cots with mattresses and ten stairgates. They now have one cot left with four people on the waiting list, five Moses baskets left, and no stairgates left. They have been able to support ten families with the Grant money.

    The team will continue to support the charity where necessary such as making them aware of available funding and assisting with writing large grant applications.


    Sherbourne Ward Queens Jubilee Litter Pick Bringing Together Members of the Local Community!

    The Community Resilience team have recently helped the Redeemed Christian Church of God in connecting them to the relevant contacts to enable them to conduct a community litter pick. The aim of the pick was to support the community initiative of the church which is to promote inclusion, diversity, and bonding in the community during the Platinum Anniversary celebration of Her Majesty the Queen.

    Close to thirty volunteers of all ages turned out for the pick over the Jubilee Weekend. This included children who were inspired by the Church to give back to their community. With this amount of people, they covered the majority of Sherbourne ward, both ends of the Holyhead road and other parts of the City Centre.

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God wanted to give something back to their community during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations instead of holding a party. The Community Resilience Team were able to put them in touch with the councils Greenspace Team to get the pickers, bags, and gloves. It was a resounding success, with the result being a real bonding of the community during a celebratory weekend.

    The feedback from residents in these areas was really positive. Many commented to the litter picking team that they were happy to see an organisation in the community taking the initiative to improve their local area. This has injected a positive energy into the Church and encouraged them to plan more community volunteering projects.



  • Share April/May Community Stories on Facebook Share April/May Community Stories on Twitter Share April/May Community Stories on Linkedin Email April/May Community Stories link

    April/May Community Stories

    about 4 years ago

    Godiva Sisters membership thriving after being awarded the Community Recovery and Support Grant

    The Community Resilience team have recently helped the Godiva Sisters apply to the Community Recovery and Support Grant so they could get some support for their group following the pandemic. The Godiva Sisters were formed twenty years ago and is made up of local women from all faiths and cultures who meet to portray characters both ancient and modern. They also raise the profile of minority groups and engendering community cohesion.

    The sessions the Sisters run are mostly self-funded, and because of the pandemic they could not... Continue reading

    Godiva Sisters membership thriving after being awarded the Community Recovery and Support Grant

    The Community Resilience team have recently helped the Godiva Sisters apply to the Community Recovery and Support Grant so they could get some support for their group following the pandemic. The Godiva Sisters were formed twenty years ago and is made up of local women from all faiths and cultures who meet to portray characters both ancient and modern. They also raise the profile of minority groups and engendering community cohesion.

    The sessions the Sisters run are mostly self-funded, and because of the pandemic they could not do their normal fundraising activities. They have benefited from funding from the CRT before and for this reason they contacted us for help again.

    The group applied for the Recovery Grant with the help of an officer for room rent and arts and crafts materials. The grant panel duly agreed to award the group £600 towards the cost of both things. This has given the group short term stability while they look for other external sources of funding.

    The funding has positively affected the running of the group. Membership has increased a lot since the return to in-person meetings, with rent of the meeting place being paid for with the Grant. They are currently operating partially on Zoom too so less confident Sisters can still attend. The Godiva Sisters also partially funded the costumes they wore for the Coventry City of Culture parade with the Grant money.




    Hearsall Lunch Club for the elderly awarded the Community Recovery and Support Grant!

    The Community Resilience Team recently reached out to the ‘Hearsall Lunch Club’, to offer them some support and make them aware of the current opportunity of the Community Recovery and Support Grant that the team had on offer to support the sustainability of groups post covid restrictions.

    The group had not previously engaged with the CRT and were not aware that they could apply for external funding. The group shared that they were self-funded with members paying a small amount for each session, but this was an added expense for pensioners who were struggling to pay bills and food costs.

    A member of the team met with the group and discussed the opportunities available to them of CRT Recovery and Support Grant and other external funding such as the National Lottery Awards for All Fund. After going through the criteria with them it became clear that they were eligible to apply to both funds.

    The first step was to apply to the recovery grant available through the CRT. An officer met with the group to look at options and the group submitted an application to fund their short term room hire costs and refreshments. The grant panel duly agreed to award the group £1,150 towards the costs of both.

    Following on from the successful application to the recovery grant, the team supported the ‘Hearsall Lunch Club’ in applying to the National Lottery small grants fund, Awards for All. The group had been interested in receiving some funds for transport costs for their members as well as other items to sustain themselves in the longer term. The group were successful with this application and awarded £9,700 towards transport costs, room hire, meals and entertainment.

    This extra support through the grants has helped to reduce the possibility of people who attend the group becoming socially isolated, with many members of the group living alone and now supporting them to attend the group regularly again.

    Launch of new Youth Hub at St Peter's Hillfields

    A new Youth Hub has launched at St Peter's Hillfields on Tuesday and Thursday 3:15 - 5:30pm to provide a safe place for young people to go after school. Food will be provided along with activities including air hockey, table tennis and pool.

  • Share March Community Stories on Facebook Share March Community Stories on Twitter Share March Community Stories on Linkedin Email March Community Stories link

    March Community Stories

    about 4 years ago

    Confidence Through Photography Group is welcoming new members

    A night time shot of Coventry Cathedral taken by Neil

    The group was set up in 2017 by Neil Catley who felt there was not much for people with mental health and anxiety issues to do at the weekend. Prior to setting up the group Neil who had agoraphobia did not leave the house for 5 years, this all changed when his mum bought him a camera which he would take to his local park and capture pictures.

    Neil set up Confidence through photography a group that meets for coffee and photo... Continue reading

    Confidence Through Photography Group is welcoming new members

    A night time shot of Coventry Cathedral taken by Neil

    The group was set up in 2017 by Neil Catley who felt there was not much for people with mental health and anxiety issues to do at the weekend. Prior to setting up the group Neil who had agoraphobia did not leave the house for 5 years, this all changed when his mum bought him a camera which he would take to his local park and capture pictures.

    Neil set up Confidence through photography a group that meets for coffee and photo walks to help others who need a boost in their mental health wellbeing. The group are resuming regular meet ups and future plans include workshops and an exhibition of photographers’’ work at a local church hall.

    For further information on joining you can contact - neilcatleyphotography@gmail.com or join the facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/confidencethroughphotography/


    St Francis Employability, support new arrivals from across the world.

    Local charity, St Francis Employability, recently showcased its extensive work in supporting new arrivals from across the world.

    From Sudan to Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria, St Francis Employability supports vulnerable and displaced people that arrive from some of the world’s most hostile and dangerous countries.

    One of the biggest challenges in resettling displaced people is integration. Full integration is often impeded through a lack of knowledge on how to access vital services that include employment, education, and health.

    St Francis Employability offers tailored support on these three areas so that new arrivals are given the tools to be able to lead independent, prosperous lives and make a positive impact on their new community; all of which help to result in full integration. St Francis Employability across several programmes such as MyCoventry.


    Canley Prom Bank is back!

    Canley Prom back is officially opening on Monday 4th April. The Community Centre is looking for donations of suits, dresses, ties and accessories. If you would like to donate or use the prom bank find out more here - https://www.facebook.com/CanleyPromBank




Page last updated: 29 May 2026, 12:00 PM