Community Connections

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  November's Community Stories

  almost 4 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

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  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

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  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

  almost 4 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.”

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  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.

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  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.

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  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

  about 4 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!

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  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.

  
  

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  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!

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  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.

  
  

  
  

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  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

  about 4 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!

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  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.

  
  

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  July's Community Stories

  about 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.

  
  

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  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

  
  

  
  
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  June's Community Stories

  over 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.

  
  

  
  
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  April/May Community Stories

  over 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.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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  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.

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  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.
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  March Community Stories

  over 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

  
  

  
  

  
  
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  December Community Stories

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  Thank you to our Community Messengers

  Since July 2020, over 300 Community Messengers have played a crucial role working alongside the Community Resilience Team and Public Health to help rely important Covid-19 messages into different communities across the city, ensuring the information is as accessible as possible. The hard work of the messengers was highlighted at the Public Health and Wellbeing Awards in September where they were awarded the ‘‘Covid Hero’s’’ award to thank them for their amazing support and dedication. A big well done and massive thank you to all of our Community Messengers!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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  Fridays Choir going for Christmas... Continue reading

  Thank you to our Community Messengers

  Since July 2020, over 300 Community Messengers have played a crucial role working alongside the Community Resilience Team and Public Health to help rely important Covid-19 messages into different communities across the city, ensuring the information is as accessible as possible. The hard work of the messengers was highlighted at the Public Health and Wellbeing Awards in September where they were awarded the ‘‘Covid Hero’s’’ award to thank them for their amazing support and dedication. A big well done and massive thank you to all of our Community Messengers!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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  Fridays Choir going for Christmas No 1!

  Fridays Choir are part of the NHS Charities backed single – Goodbye – sung by Fridays supporter Caitlin McCarthy (singer/songwriter from Coventry). The single featured on BBC Midlands Today and can be watched below

  
  You can stream and download Goodbye via https://lnk.to/CaitlinGoodbye all proceeds go to charity.

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  About Fridays

  Fridays is a youth initiative set up to prevent knife crime and gang violence in Coventry, with weekly events to enable teenagers to have a safe and enjoyable Friday evening. During Black History month Fridays were awarded best community group by Morrisons supermarket for the difference they are making to young people in the community.

  Up and coming Friday projects include:

  Big Movie – Fridays have received funding to produce a movie, gathering stories from young people across Coventry. If you work with young people that have a real-life story or fictional story, they would like to be told, they can get in touch with – info@fridays.org.uk

  Canley Community Centre Youth Night - During October over 60 young people attended Canley community centre taking part in sport activities, listening to local music talent and a young comedian. Fridays hope to make this a regular event in 2022.

  Weekly chart talent show - in collaboration with Hillz FM.

  Hillfields app - Development of a free app for young people in Hillfields, featuring updates on local youth projects they can get involved with and a reporting function for crime to improve safety.

  Building electric go karts project at Daimler Powerhouse Creation Centre – enabling young people to gain practical skills and confidence, mentoring them to re-engage with school. Fridays are looking for funding and active partnerships to enable this project to take place in 2022 following the success of the pilot project involving 30 young people.

  If you would like to find out further information on Fridays or any of their up and coming projects please get in touch with Tyler Campbell – info@fridays.org.uk

  https://www.fridays.org.uk/

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  Send your Love this Christmas

  Developers Deeley, McLaren Group, Bowmer and Kirkland and Farrans are supporting the ‘Send your Love this Christmas’ campaign. Donations will support food hubs across Coventry helping families with food over Christmas. You can donate via text or by dropping food at your local drop off point. To support, please share the poster across your networks.