A Church-led project in Shildon has received £196,189 to develop its work within the local community. The money has been awarded by the Big Lottery Fund to the Shildon Alive project, run by Saint John’s Church, and will fund a community worker to develop the project as well as allow the community team to create a shop-based office. The money comes from the Reaching Communities programme, which is for projects that help people and communities most in need. Grants are available from £10,000 upwards and funding can last for up to five years.
Saint John’s Church will receive £196,189 to improve the health, confidence and skills of more than 2,000 local people through gardening and work experience. The project is aimed at supporting people who may have poor physical and mental health through long-term unemployment, food poverty and a lack of facilities and activities. The project will be involved in two gardening spaces provided by Shildon Town Council. The church will also take over a small unused shop unit in the town centre which will act as a community hub and a base for a food bank. Social events including community BBQs and coffee mornings will help to reduce the isolation felt by some people.
Vicar, Revd David Tomlinson said, “Shildon Alive is about breathing life into those parts of our community that struggle, often through no fault of their own.“Our current community garden project is morphing into two gardens, one at either end of town. These gardens will offer a lively community experience and be a vehicle for positive community development and enrichment through the events and activities. “The things being undertaken there are in direct response to community concerns about intergenerational breakdown, the fear of the young by the old, the loss of traditional skills, the high level of long-term sickness and poor health in the area, and the number of people in food poverty. “The gardens will be linked to a food aid project. “Surplus food will go through the aid project and those coming for aid will have the opportunity to get involved in something that will undermine the isolation that chaotic or crisis-living often engenders. “Alongside the gardens, other initiatives being discussed include a community bank and furniture aid. “The bulk of the grant will pay for a full-time community development worker and the costs of the town centre ‘contact point’, a redundant shop unit in prime position. “The Contact Point will become the hub out of which the spokes of community development will create strong foundations for a healthier town.”
Big Lottery Fund spokesperson Alison Rowe said, “We are pleased to make a grant to Saint John’s Church to help local residents grow their own food and support a food bank to help struggling families.”
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
