Grants totaling £300,000 have been given to voluntary groups in Croydon as part of an ambitious project to shift power and resources to people in local areas. From digital skills for older people to youth basketball clubs, and from better community transport to a communal gardening plot, the successful initiatives will be co-designed by Croydon residents to improve quality of life.
Launched at an event in June (shown in the photos), the move is part of Croydon’s Healthy Communities Together programme, an innovative partnership between the NHS, Croydon Council, the King’s Fund, the National Lottery and the voluntary sector, which aims to reduce inequality by engaging residents to shape health and care services.
Age UK Croydon and Croydon Voluntary Action will together administer the fund across six Croydon localities, with £50,000 allocated to each area for the first 12 months.
Community partnerships across Croydon are developing local plans based on what works, sharing resources and innovating.”
The projects to benefit from the fund were selected in August and efforts to develop them kicked off at a workshop in September. They all meet the criteria of improving people’s access to community support for better physical and mental wellbeing, while increasing independence. Each of the projects responds directly to one or more of the priorities in the six Local Community Partnerships’ Local Community Plans and will be co-produced with local people.
According to Sarah Burns from Croydon Voluntary Action: “Community partnerships across Croydon are developing local plans based on what works, sharing resources and innovating. Starting with our strengths ‘our people’, this fund is for Croydon groups, working together to maximise independence and the wellbeing of everyday people across Croydon.”
The fund received a total of 46 applications worth £1.7million. The successful bids were chosen by a panel from Croydon’s Local Community Partnerships, Age UK Croydon and Croydon Voluntary Action.
Successful bids
They include:
- Intergenerational work where young people help older people boost their digital skills
- A weekly youth café and basketball club with meals provided.
- Efforts to extend community transport services.
- A community garden with workshops and open days for schools and residents
- A range of local hubs offering health, wellbeing and cost of living support.
An event to showcase all the successful initiatives will be held at Braithwaite Hall on 27 November, which aims to inspire more people to get involved. Find out more and book – One Croydon’s Local Community Partnerships – Showcase Event